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

thorsoak

He's a young lad, who in all probability loves kicking a ball about - and the idea of a job where he could kick a ball about all day, without the hangups about being a top soccer star is quite sensible - to a 12-year old!

Don't kill his dreams - let him expand them!

Horace

I know that when my cousin was 12 she wanted to be a concert pianist, she thought it was a great idea to get paid for doing what you love. She still plays her musical instruments but now she is a high flying lawyer.

When I was 12 I wanted to be an archaeologist and before that I wanted to be a translator specifically speaking Russian but my school decided that as only 3 pupils wanted to learn Russian it was not cost effective to do so (why offer the subject then:mad:). I have an interest in ancient artefacts, however, when it came to leaving school I had no idea what I wanted to be so became a secretary.

On entering college last year - I had to put my details into a career type website and it would churn out my idea career - apparently I should be a prison governor which to me is a bonkers idea because I would be overly strict - there wouldn't be any privileges and the prisoners would have to break rocks every day.

Owain_Moneysaver

chelseablue wrote: »

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

Mmmm, bank manager's not a very stable career path long term.

borkid

geek84 wrote: »

Thanks for your reply.

I know it seems rather early, but the only thing he keeps on saying is that he wants to be a teacher when he grows up!

Think positively, if he wants to be a teacher he will need good GCSEs and A levels and a degree to aim for so even if he changes his mind he will have the basic educational qualifications for other careers. It would be far worse if he were aspiring to a career will low entry qualifications and changed his mind only to find he then didn't have the right qualifications for his 'new' career.

egoode

I don't think it's an overly bad career to encourage him in as he's showing interest in it. Most PE teachers need to study anatomy, human biology and health it's not just learning how to play different sports so when he's studying those different areas he may change his mind as to what he wants to do and those studies have many different career paths that aren't teaching related.

chelseablue

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Mmmm, bank manager's not a very stable career path long term.

He just thinks they earn lots of money :rotfl:

Lokolo

I knew what I wanted to do at 12 and now at 25 I am doing that job.

I'd say encourage him. What 12 year old wants to be told "No you won't be doing that."? But obviously don't limit him to think that could be the only job he could do

peachyprice

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.

#

Shocking behaviour from a parent.

You've asked your son what he wants to be, he's told you.

By keep asking him you're making it patently clear that isn't good enough for you. How do you think that makes him feel? What do you think that is doing for his confidence. How much do you think he's going to resent you if he chooses a different career just to please you and spends his life regretting it.

Back off and let him be a 12yo. And if that's the career he does choose, support him like a good parent is supposed to.

azzabazza

Please don't discourage him. Fantastic he has something in mind for his future career. Minds and directions can change.

When my kids were that age they didn't have a clue what they wanted to do. All I did was encourage them to study a broad range of subjects from age 14 which would then give them plenty of options when choosing uni courses.

tea_lover

Out of interest OP, what is your career? Am just being nosey so feel free to ignore me - just wondered what you do that's so amazing that you're sure teaching isn't good enough for your child.