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

room512

stir_crazy wrote: »

There are various websites which can help pick a career based on your interests and/ or which areas you do well in. But, I seem to remember there was something similar when I was doing my standard grades at school (cough - 14 years ago- cough) where you entered the subjects you enjoyed and which you excelled in, then it gave you three career "recommendations".

My OH did this at school many years ago and his top recommendation was to become a pig farmer! I have no idea how it came up with that.

ampersand

Geek - it is the nature of such forums that readers can look at a poster's other Threads, so I see you are a chap, possibly with[ghastly misuse]'issues' concerning your own path atm.

Why a Dad would wish to dissuade his lad from an ambition firmly expressed - and repeatedly[if only for now] - is your own navel-gazer.

I'd love your son to be reading all the support he - and your concern, if not your apparent attitude - has galvanised here.

Why don't you start tonight? Read the Thread together. Communicate.
It's must be a Men Only session, you and your son.

Are you doing what you always wanted to do?

I come back to asking what broadening you are doing. Read Celia Lashlie: understand why this is so powerfully necessary.

He's 12. That means you're just about in time to learn all that will happen on his fabulous journey.

All the more do I earnestly ask you to look at Celia Lashlie, as linked earlier.
http://www.celialashlie.co.nz/

This outstanding[and laugh out loud]book will be in your Library. Don't duck away: here it is again -
HE'LL BE OK: GROWING GORGEOUS BOYS INTO GOOD MEN
http://www.nzine.co.nz/reviews/lashlie_goodmen.html

pollypenny

I also recall a number of boys who had been signed by football clubs, but nothing much came of it.

Three boys did become professional footballers, ironically bright ones, but all in low divisions.

Edit: I should have quoted Balletshoes' post about her nephew only focusing on football.

tiernsee

I'd just leave him alone and let time sort it out, don't discourage him but as he progresses through school i am sure that other ideas will come to him, particularly as his peers start thinking about courses and careers.

When my son was 12 he wanted to be a dentist, since then he has gone through pharmacy, engineering (mechanical and chemical), toxicologist and anything science-based provided it is in Scandinavia! He is now almost 17, just finished his AS mocks so thinking about uni. He has decided that he wants to do something in physics or maths - we've begun to look at courses and places but keep stressing to him he has time to think and decide what he wants to do, as even in the maths and physics bracket, there are options (astrophysics, quantum etc).

pollypenny

tiernsee wrote: »

I'd just leave him alone and let time sort it out, don't discourage him but as he progresses through school i am sure that other ideas will come to him, particularly as his peers start thinking about courses and careers.

When my son was 12 he wanted to be a dentist, since then he has gone through pharmacy, engineering (mechanical and chemical), toxicologist and anything science-based provided it is in Scandinavia! He is now almost 17, just finished his AS mocks so thinking about uni. He has decided that he wants to do something in physics or maths - we've begun to look at courses and places but keep stressing to him he has time to think and decide what he wants to do, as even in the maths and physics bracket, there are options (astrophysics, quantum etc).

You could have been writing about my son, who also went through all those.

His Y10 work experience told him that he didn't want anything lab based. In Y13 he discovered Environmental Health, through a TV programme and was set fair.

seashore22

So OP the conversation went something like this:


OP - "So what do you want to be when you grow up?"


Son - " A PE teacher"


OP - "What do you want to do really?"


OP, I think your son's answer was admirable. I can understand why you might want a broader answer, but that may come with time. Leave him alone now.

AlexLK

To be frank none of this matters at 12 unless your son is aiming to be a professional sportsman or an orchestral musician as those are the only two "careers" I can think that need to have some input at such a young age.

Make-it-3

My 3 year old wants to be a table dancer - I hope she changes her mind on that one!

AlexLK

Make-it-3 wrote: »

My 3 year old wants to be a table dancer - I hope she changes her mind on that one!

I'm disturbed to know your 3 year old realises such a "job" exists.

Morglin

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.

Why are you worrying about it, at this point?

Miles to early to be thinking about it, as all he needs to do is when he makes his subject choices, is to go broadbased.

Good grief - at his age, my only ambition was to be Paul McCartney's girlfriend........:eek::eek::rotfl:

Lin