Helping your teen decide what to do after high school
Helping to prepare your teen for life after high school is one of the most important tasks you will have as a parent. Although it can be difficult to imagine your baby as an adult, with the right approach, helping your teen make the transition into adulthood can also be rewarding. Going to college, getting a job, or taking time off are the common choices your teen will likely face. Here's how you can help your teen make the right decision.
College or technical school
Job options
Taking time off
It's your teen's life
College or technical school
Although you may remember starting your own college search in the fall of your senior year, many teens these days need to get started earlier due to the extensive research involved and the deadlines for certain programs. Many students begin as early as the fall of their junior year.
Have your teen sit down and start writing a list of goals and accomplishments, even if he hasn't yet decided on a field of study. You can help your teen develop a list of academic and personal strengths and weaknesses, extracurricular activities, awards, grade point average, class rank and SAT scores.
Next, start thinking about and list the qualities your teen is looking for in a college. For example, does your teen want to go away to school, stay close to home or take online courses?
Armed with this preliminary information, it's time to begin the research. Guidebooks, the Internet, and counselors at school are particularly helpful resources. While choosing potential schools, you and your teen should start to make campus visits, making sure to talk with students attending the college.
Job options
If college is not an option, or your teen needs extra time to earn money for tuition, going directly to the work force offers many choices and benefits, such as health insurance and tuition reimbursement programs.
Some teens may choose to go into the military, which provides discipline, money, college tuition and vocational training. Your teen should carefully explore all the pros and cons of a military career. After all, once you join the service, you can't easily drop out.
Getting a job immediately after high school remains a good choice. If this is the route your teen wishes to take, it’s important to learn how to search for employment, write a resume, and develop interviewing skills. Many companies reimburse their employees for continuing education in related areas. Your teen should ask about this benefit through the human resources departments of potential employers.
If your teen dreams of becoming a rock star, try to keep an open mind - you may think it's unrealistic, but there are people who are rock stars. Rather than immediately dismissing the idea, initiate a discussion and ask questions about what it will take to reach that goal.
Taking time off
For some teens, taking a year off between high school and the "real world" can be beneficial. This can be a good time to travel, do community service, or even live in a foreign country before the responsibilities of life make it harder to do so.
It's your teen's life
When the subject concerns the future, some teens may try to shrug it off. Here are some tips to get the ball rolling and keep communication flowing:
- Really listen; resist the temptation to provide gratuitous or unsolicited advice. If your teen is struggling to make a decision, a story or two about how hard it was for you or someone you know could go a long way in reassuring your teen.
- Treat your teen with respect and support while giving up some of your control. This is the time to help your teen develop decision-making and problem-solving skills.
- Prepare your teen for life away from home. This includes making major decisions regarding dating, drugs, alcohol, and sex, as well as day-to-day living skills. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, writing checks, and managing a budget are all important and necessary, but they are usually not learned in school.
- Finally, resist the temptation to lecture and try to remain supportive and enthusiastic, even if your teen frequently changes direction. Your positive influence is critical at this transitional time.