Going to school has always been an extremely important and formative part of life for most of us. With set timetables and a wide range of subjects to study (in greater detail as we progressed through the grades), there was limited or almost no time to think in the long term. Our main goal was not to learn concepts but to learn massive amounts of data by rote. We would also have to write out the ’right answer’ with the important ‘keywords,’ or we would not be awarded all marks. So, no chance of paraphrasing at all!

Life as an adult is complex, and we are faced with making many harsh decisions from all the confusing choices we are presented with. It is naive to expect children to have an easier time of it. No, they don't! In fact, because of the dearth of information now, it is practically impossible for children to choose what they would like to do in life- career-wise. This question is asked by adults often, who wonder where they may have gone wrong- and when, and if they had made the right decision at the right time- would they be better off now? 

Let us look at some factors that play a vital role in helping a child decide which career path they would like to choose over another. These factors work as double-edged swords too. 

1. Choosing a career path because of peer pressure or going with the flow- Children are highly impressionable and tend to listen to and value whatever their friends do or choose. This same characteristic extends to making a choice- in the future. It is important to let children know they cannot make important decisions just because their friend chose a particular option.  The other - going with the flow is also quite similar in that a whole group chooses one thing over another, but the basis for choosing is not thought about. This is often seen when we notice many students preparing for competitive exams because of peer pressure. The herd mentality needs to stop! It can also be because they think life may be easier for them in the long run. Nothing could be further from the truth, sadly. 
2. No assessment of one’s aptitudes, strengths, and weaknesses- Some critical thinking needs to be encouraged for children to understand how much value they can add and to which place or position they could opt. Talking to the right people is key. This is key when choosing who to talk to and gain feedback from.
3. Parental pressure - This is no joke! Why else would we have so many coaching institutes mushrooming all over the country- for the two most popular choices- becoming a doctor or an engineer? Children are pressured into opting for one of these fields because ‘it pays well, or ‘it is a matter of reputation’. However, parents are not total villains and wish for their children to succeed, but choosing them is not the right way to address this important issue. Parents must become the strongest advocates for independent thinking. Getting out of the ‘marks are the most important rut is also paramount. 
4. Procrastination - This is another aspect not often considered. Some children may have decided that they would like to choose a particular option but delay afterward. They don’t keep the momentum going and research which institutes would be their best option and which exams they would need to write (let’s face it- competitive exams are going nowhere. Choosing which one to write will lessen any extra burden). Preparing in advance also helps reduce the stress associated with the whole premise.
5. Looking at short-term benefits alone- Some professions pay more in monetary terms than others. But that does not mean there is no value in choosing the latter. It could be a relatively new field, but it could have great potential in the future. It makes sense to try to decide on a particular career path that will have a lot of learning potential down the lane. It is also important to understand that no option will yield immediate benefits. The first few years are always intense and afford more learning than money. Real-world experience is a valuable asset that is obtained only from a job, and no amount of preparation in a school will help as much as interacting with the real deal and people. 

All of these concerns can be soundly addressed if children and parents are exposed to the idea of career counseling approaches from an earlier age. Just going to school may help expand their theoretical knowledge, but application in a real-world scenario is the actual notion that we all need to pay heed to. Career guidance coaching should be offered by every school, as children spend such a long period of time in school. It is also the best place to realize their budding interest in the arts or other co-curricular activities.  

The good thing these days is all kinds of options can be monetized if we learn the value attached to them by the public. 

How can we make sure that children are assisted? Ensure they speak to the right people at the right time and do not just listen to unsolicited advice from their peers, older relatives/anyone else. 

We are the right people you should be engaging with, and we will help in any way we can!

Schedule a career coaching appointment with our expert career counsellors.