Talk about the interests and skills required in various career fields. Focus on people of different genders and ethnicities filling all kinds of roles. To help prevent this pigeonholing, discuss jobs in a way that makes them more accessible to your child. Researchers and educational theorists have indicated that by the end of elementary school, students have already ruled out certain careers based on factors like gender and social status.
The elementary years are full of self-discovery and career exploration is one way kids can learn about themselves and the world around them. On the contrary, it’s about helping your kid be on the lookout for possibilities. Starting early doesn’t mean having your child choose a specific career path.
Exploring Careers in Elementary School: Discovery Instead of expecting an eight-year-old or even an eighth grader to have a solid plan for their future, here are some suggested ways parents, teachers and other adults can work career exploration into everyday life at different age levels, reducing stress and making the road to self-discovery fun. Sure, adults often think kids’ answers are cute, but for some kids, this question can be quite stressful because they don’t have any clue yet what their options are, and they might feel like they have to have their life mapped out in third grade! When it comes to inspiring kids to think about their futures, asking this question can really put them on the spot.
“What do you want to be when you grow up?”