Four in five parents want to advise their teenagers when it comes to a career

20 February 2023 , 14:35

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More than four in five parents are keen to guide their teenagers with careers advice (Image: SWNS)

The top careers advice parents wish they had received in their teenage years includes venturing outside your comfort zone, doing what's right for you, and always asking for help if you have problem.

More than a third of parents (37%) feel they “fell into” their career – and 56% worry their child will end up in a job they don't enjoy.

As a result, the poll of 2,000 mums and dads, of 11-18-year-olds who go to a non-fee paying school, found that 84% are aiming to actively guide their children on choosing the right career for them.

One in three (32%) believe that job satisfaction is more important than money, and 42% don't want their child to follow in their footsteps when it comes to choosing a job.

Other careers advice parents feel would have been helpful to them included taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way, learning and growing from your mistakes, and working to live, not living to work.

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Four in five parents want to advise their teenagers when it comes to a career

Four in ten parents feel overwhelmed with the number of job options available to teenagers today (Kwanchai Lerttanapunyaporn/Getty Images)

Over half of parents feel such pearls of wisdom would have helped them land their “dream job” by now – although 59% worry about passing the wrong advice onto their offspring.

And seven in ten (69%) also feel they would have benefited from more regular conversations with their own parents about future job options.

The survey was commissioned by The Gatsby Foundation, as part of its Talking Futures campaign, which aims to help parents talk to children about education and careers options.

Michelle Rea, from the charity, said: “Our careers are heavily influenced by our parents.

“Nowadays, there are so many avenues and options that it can be a minefield for parents as they try to help their child navigate their options.

“Finding your dream job is possible if you have someone to guide you – and parents can do this simply by being there for their child and sharing their own career wisdom.

“By exploring options together, and letting your child find out things for themselves, you can help them carve their own path.”

The research also found almost two-thirds of parents (64%) think it’s difficult for teenagers to know what do for a living, with 75% blaming it on them being too young and not having enough life experience.

And 70% think the job market is changing so fast, it’s hard to know how best to advise their children about career options and further education.

Meanwhile, 41% feel overwhelmed by the number of options that are available to them, and 42% fear their kids won’t earn enough to be financially independent.

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The top careers advice parents wish they had received was to venture outside of their comfort zone (SWNS)

Of those who took part in the study, via OnePoll, 45% believe it is harder for the younger generation when choosing a career path than it was for their own generation.

And 83% think children should regularly review their career aspirations as they move through school and college, so it reflects their skills, interests, and experiences as they develop.

Michelle Rea added: “Choosing a career can be a daunting prospect, especially at a young age, and there is constant worry among young people that they might make the wrong decision.

“But people change career paths later on down the line, and that is okay. It’s all a learning curve, and sometimes things just don’t work out.

“As a parent, gauging your child’s skillset, and finding out their strengths and weaknesses, can really help to steer them in the right direction.

“Either way, giving your child support and advice when they need it is what is truly important.”

CAREERS ADVICE PARENTS WISH THEY HAD BEEN GIVEN WHEN THEY WERE YOUNG: