Parents Can Help Teens Choose a Career

AUBURN, April 19---The structure of the workplace has been changing rapidly for several decades and is expected to continue. Labor market analysts predict that by 2010, at least half of all employees in the United States will hold new century jobs.

New century jobs are those created by the employee either by starting his or her own company or by piecing together several positions, says Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, a community workforce development specialist with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.

"Many new century jobs are high tech and allow for tremendous flexibility, creativity and mobility between jobs and companies. While some of these jobs require only a high school diploma, most require a college education," says Robinson.

Nontraditional workers, such as on-call workers, independent contractors, temporary help or contingent workers, make up about 10 percent of today's job force. However, this number is predicted to increase five times the current level by the end of this decade. Career trends for the coming decade include fewer full-time jobs; fewer permanent jobs; more temporary, contract or consultant positions, replacing traditional 40- hour-a-week jobs; more jobs being done by specialists or by machines; and a greater demand for specialists.

Parents can help middle or high school students prepare for a career. Robinson offers the following tips.

Talk with teens about jobs or careers that are interesting to them.

Go with teens to interview persons in each job or career on a teen's list.
Arrange an opportunity for teens to job shadow someone in each field of interest.
Research each field and find out the salary structure and amount and kind of education required.
Ask the school counselor to help teens learn about their particular skills and abilities.
Encourage teens to explore different areas of study to help them find their special talents and interests.
Help teens find ways to experience success and build confidence in themselves and their abilities.

SOURCE: Dr. Jacquelyn Robinson, Extension Community Workforce Development Specialist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-5353