Getting my 12 year old son to think of what job/career he want to do when he is older

morganedge

Me and my many friends from when I was 12 all just wanted to be footballers. So, a PE teacher is at least a realistic ambition.
(although, as others have said, it's probably a but early to be remotely concerned)

And some people (like me) never had a clue, and never will.

valk_scot

My DS wanted to be a primary school teacher when he was 12 and I thought it was a great idea, I thought it would really suit his personality and skill strengths. So I encouraged him, I thought it was excellent that he had such a strong idea as to how he saw himself. What's wrong with wanting to be a teacher?


He's 18 now btw, going to uni next year. He's gone off the boil a bit about teaching but still wants to work with kids, he's more thinking about some sort of environmental education officer on a nature reserve or something. With a degree though he'll still have lots of options including going and doing that teaching diploma, he's not totally forgotten about it. So while he's still on the same sort of track the focus has broadened a bit. I'm still encouraging him of course. What's the point of trying to pressure them towards doing something they don't want to do just because you think it's "better" in some way? Teaching is a worthy profession to aim for, after all.

Tropez

I'm going to be honest; what I wanted to do when I was 12 is not even related to what I do as an adult, and at the age of 30 what I want to do now is not related to my current job and only has vague links to my qualifications.

I wouldn't put pressure on a kid to start thinking about his future career. I've often thought the entire education system needs an overhaul due to the way it attempts to bracket kids as young as 14 into picking "options" that are supposed to in some way reflect what they want to do in the future. I've lost count of the number of people I know who have forked out for university courses and now do something unrelated to the qualifications, or are retraining because what seemed like a good idea when they started college at 16 has turned out not to be so.

The best thing you can do is not make him think about career choices but support the interests that he has as he comes by them because although they may not seem like it now, they might have a bearing on his future choices and if he keeps saying he wants to be a teacher then support that and see where it leads.

[Deleted User]

My daughter always said she wanted to be a teacher - from a really young age. I was aware she might change her mind but I never, ever tried to dissuade her despite working in education most of my life and hearing teachers moan non-stop. She did her work experience in a school when she was 16 and loved it. She never considered any other career.

She is now a primary school teacher in her 4th year of teaching and she loves it. I'm so proud of her. I think the teaching profession needs people who are passionate about teaching and the kids deserve motivated, committed teachers too.

Maybe he will be a teacher, maybe he won't but whatever he does I hope he gets to do something he's really passionate about not something he's made to feel he SHOULD do.

geek84

Thanks everyone for your advice, so far.

Fluff15

geek84 wrote: »

Good Morning

Whenever I have a chat with my son about what he wants to do when is older, he always says he wants to be a PE teacher. I know where he is coming from - he sees teachers going home at 4pm and having all these long holidays. However, you and I know that is not really the case.

How can I get my son to broaden his horizons and get to think of what other job/career paths to consider other than from being a teacher. Are there any helpful websites that you can suggest?

By the way, I have nothing against being a teacher. I admire the work they do and the pressure they are put under these days.

Thanks in advance for your responses.

Or maybe, he sees the teachers having a good time and enjoying a job they find rewarding, and likes the job satisfaction aspect of it? Being a teacher is a fantastic career, you should be proud he wants to be one!

If you really want to broaden his horizons, bare in mind he's only 12 - he won't be having to make any choices about GCSEs and careers for at least another two years. During that time he's going to change a lot and his interests and hobbies will change, I doubt there's much he'll take in at this age. If you really want to get him thinking, I think if you get him to take the Jung Typology test, that will give him career options suited to his personality, as well as self awareness and personal growth options. But don't worry too much, a career isn't set in stone - just encourage him to do what makes him happy.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp

msb5262

I don't really see why the idea of wanting to be a teacher is so awful - he hasn't said he wants to be a drug dealer!

Mrs_Soup

I agree its far too early to stress about it especially as the one idea he has a pretty reasonable career if he does end up following it through. It would mean going to university, being fit and healthy and then having a relatively secure job with decent prospects - not quite sure what else any of us would be wanting for our children.

chelseablue

My nephew is 12 this year and when he's older says he wants to be a bank manager, artist and circus performer

[Deleted User]

My 4 year old wants to be a doctor, my 2 year old an astronaut

"Filled with pent up rage? Why not become a PE teacher?"
http://youtu.be/KwDknTtkVdc