The importance of career exploration for kids

"What do you want to be when you grow up?"

As a parent, you've probably heard your child answer this question a million times. Everyone asks about their future careers — teachers, relatives, neighbors, maybe even the barista making their hot chocolate. 

You know their go-to answers and if they’re eyeing specific potential careers or going back and forth. But what if there's a perfect career they have yet to learn about or consider?

Most kids need guidance finding a career path. The earlier, the better. Elementary and middle school students can participate in age-appropriate career exploration for kids. High schoolers are often ready to take concrete steps toward their career goals through classes, internships, jobs, or other opportunities. 

Helping your kids through this process is a privilege. It's also one of the most important ways you can help prepare them for adulthood.

The benefits of career exploration for kids

Kids have a whole world of career options. They have opportunities in career fields that didn't exist when you were their age — and probably some that don't exist right now.

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The more career opportunities your kids know about, the better prepared they'll be to find the right one. And well before your child lands their dream job, there's plenty to learn.

Build self-awareness and confidence

There's a job out there for every skill set. Career exploration helps kids find careers and jobs that match what they do well. Those realizations can help them see the future value of their abilities.

Career education can help kids feel more grown-up and in the know. It dissolves some of the barriers between Kid World and Adult World, giving them a glimpse of their parents' experience. That knowledge can help them feel more confident about someday navigating the adult world.

Broaden horizons and expand perspectives

Kids encounter a limited number of jobs in their daily lives. They know about teachers, doctors, police officers, and firefighters. They might know something about what their parents do. But a whole working world exists, and kids need adults to introduce them to it.

Career discovery offers a broader perspective. It can illuminate the perfect career path — one they might not know existed without introducing career exploration for kids.

Career awareness also helps kids understand that everyone has something to offer. It expands their view and helps them think about the many relevant careers that make the world turn. That perspective is essential for a child's healthy social growth.

Foster goal-setting and planning skills

Kids start thinking of the future when they're early elementary students. They understand what it means to contribute to the community and can begin picturing themselves as adults. 

That ability deepens as they get older. When kids reach their teens, they may start thinking about their life goals. 

Whatever age or stage your kids are in, career research can help them structure their future. They learn three important lessons:

• What they want

• How they'll need to get there

• What they can do to get ready

A younger kid might choose a career cluster, like medicine or engineering, and learn about skills in that field. A middle or high school student might set a specific career goal and start researching classes, extracurriculars, and what to major in.

Encourage academic and extracurricular engagement

Job research also helps kids actively participate in their education. Research shows that kids who set professional goals do better in school, feel more confident, and participate more actively in their education.

That's because career goals give kids internal motivation. Instead of studying because they're supposed to, they might be motivated to study because they want to be an engineer, city planner, or social worker.

Those goals also get them thinking about potential classes and activities. Career exploration is one of the best ways for kids to prepare for future careers. Even if they don't pursue that career, they've learned something and put a new skill in their toolbox!

Tips for parents to support their child's career curiosity

Your kids will keep hearing and asking that ever-present question: What do I want to be when I grow up?

• Take a career explorer test with them - These tests give career ideas based on the test-taker's interests, skills, and priorities. You can find them free online.

• Explore careers together - Sit down at the computer and Google career resources. Read "How to become" articles. Watch videos of the job in action. 

• Use your social network - Connect your kids with someone in the field they're interested in pursuing. 

• Brainstorm ways to get experience - Many side hustles for teens build real-world job experience. There are also volunteer opportunities that accept high school students.

• Offer career day ideas - Pitch a "career day" to your child's school. If they already have one, volunteer to talk about what you do.

The most important thing is to follow your child's lead. Career exploration for kids should be exciting, motivating, and world-opening — which means the student needs to be in the driver's seat.

Listen when your child talks about their interests. Help them connect those interests with potential career pathways and job titles. Show them how to dig deeper and look at different options. If they're old enough, you can even look at admissions requirements for college programs. 

Take the next steps with Greenlight

Motivation, goal-setting, critical thinking, a clearer view of the world — there's a lot of power in career exploration for kids. 

As a parent, you get to guide that process. You get to help kids understand why choosing the right career is important, both for personal and financial reasons. 

You also get to help your kids understand salary needs and how to gain the most from what they earn. Got a teen who wants a six-figure salary? You can map out the pathway with them and help them understand the value of their work.

At Greenlight, we're committed to helping kids and families become financially savvy. From kids' debit cards to games that teach kids how to save and invest, we're here to make the process fun and exciting.

Get your kids and start learning with Greenlight. Their future begins now. 🚀