KEY POINTS:
With the arrival of 2008, school leavers have the question of career hanging over them.
The fact is, many teenagers don't know what they want to do after leaving school.
And if they don't know what to do, how can they do it?
Often teenagers don't know how to apply for work using a CV, search for employment and promote themselves in job interviews. Others are unsure of choosing study or training programmes after leaving school.
Parents find it hard to believe that, after years of schooling, teenagers have no career ideas.
For many this lack of action brings enormous frustration as they worry about their child's future and wonder: "What's it all been for?"
Kerry*, a high achiever at a private school, finished her schooling without deciding on a career because she was overwhelmed by the possibilities open to her.
Josie* passed Level 1 NCEA then left early in Year 12 without any career ideas and has had a succession of short-term jobs.
Dave* decided on a career in the construction industry but after completing his degree decided not to work in the industry, opting to study health science instead.
Career consultant Maria Howley, of Career Action in Albany, says these are common scenarios for students leaving school.
As a secondary school careers adviser and now in private practice, she sees many students struggling to find suitable career options, lacking knowledge of subjects to take at school and unsure of requirements for work, training or tertiary courses.
For many adults, lack of planning as a school leaver means they feel frustration and a sense of missed opportunities as they contemplate changing their careers.
For many teenagers, the fear of making a wrong or bad career choice is huge.
With no career ideas and too much choice they opt out completely, refusing to think about possible careers or not acting to enrol or investigate courses of study.
Howley says while it's easy to conclude teenagers are being lazy or difficult, in reality many students are overwhelmed about the seriousness of making career choices and feel ill-equipped to make them.
Parents often fail to notice this or feel they also lack the career knowledge necessary to help.
With the cost of education rising, parents want to minimise the risk of paying for education or training that is not used, not completed or does not seem right for their child.
Yet for many parents, their lack of current, in-depth and accurate knowledge about career possibilities in today's market interferes with career planning.
It's difficult to advise teenagers on careers when many jobs didn't exist years ago and so many work, training and study options are available.
Leaving career to chance is a risky business in today's world. Teenagers can expect an average of three to five career changes over their working life.
Parents have a vital role in their career planning and can help in the process.
* The names have been changed to protect identities.
* Career Action, 3E Henry Rose Place, Albany, provides professional guidance in career planning and decision-making for students (secondary school through to university level), specialising in one-to-one planning and preparation for success in today's much varied job market.
Howley has studied business psychology and holds a graduate diploma in business (training and development).
After spending five years as careers adviser for an Auckland secondary school she has spent the past three years in private practice. She is a professional member of the Career Practitioners Association of NZ.
Contact information for Career Action: www.careeraction.co.nz, phone: (09) 915 5020, email: info@careeraction.co.nz.
TIPS FOR TEENS
* Face up to career decision-making. Seek help if you feel lost for ideas.
* Make an appointment with your school careers adviser.
* Gather up-to-date study, training and work info through the Government-funded career information website www.careers.govt.nz and resources available at school and universities, techs or training establishments.
* Identify career options that fit with your interests, skills, values and dreams and take into account your own level of academic achievement. Then consider: Are you going from school straight into a job or apprenticeship; or is training or study for you?
* Choose suitable career possibilities and narrow down to a list of two to three for further investigation.
* Make a plan with steps you need to take to achieve these chosen careers (specify what you need to do and how you will do it). Including a back-up plan is advisable in case your first choice doesn't eventuate.
* Career ideas start general in Year 10 and become more specific as you approach school leaving time. It's fine to change choices as you progress through school, study and work - keep reviewing your career plan as you go.
TIPS FOR PARENTS
* Start career planning early.
* Your role as support person is vital - ask, discuss and encourage your teenager's career ideas rather than dismissing ideas that sound unrealistic.
* Talk to teachers, deans or careers staff to identify suitable subjects and possible careers for your child.
* Gather info through www.careers.govt.nz
* Beware of your expectations leading to career paths teenagers are not interested in.
* Seek help from a private career consultant if your teenager seems stuck.
