Transitioning from school to career is a big part of a young adult's life. It is basically the beginning of their professional life. How they set out to do so is important, and as the parent, you have the responsibility to help them get started on the right foot. Following are some tips for helping them make the jump.
Discuss with Them Responsible Habits
Talk to your kids about the importance of forming responsible habits. This is so important as they set out to build their career. Discuss with them how to manage their time well, avoid procrastination, work on their communication skills, and network with other professionals.
Talk about self-care. Careers can be stressful, so it's important that they tend to their mental health. Give them advice on how to do so, such as staying active, getting enough sleep, eating healthy, setting a routine, and reaching out to talk when needed. Another piece of good advice is to avoid "keeping up with the Joneses" on social media. Worrying too much about what other people have can be damaging to mental wellbeing.*
Emphasize Online Reputation Management
Ensure they understand how their online reputation can impact their work prospects. It's important to maintain a good reputation on social media as potential employers might be looking. Review and update your social media profile to reflect the positions you are seeking.
"Your social media profile is your online resume and portfolio, so make sure it is optimized for your job search," says LinkedIn.** "This means using a clear, professional, and friendly profile picture that reflects your personality and industry. It also means writing a catchy and informative headline and bio that summarize your value proposition and keywords. Additionally, you should include relevant links to your website, blog, portfolio, or other online platforms where you showcase your work and achievements. Finally, you should review your privacy settings and make sure that your profile is visible and accessible to the right audience."
Teach Them Financial Literacy
Financial literacy is a major component of adulthood, and as your child becomes a career person, they'll need to have this quality. It helps if you start teaching this earlier in their life. Teach things like budgeting skills, paying bills on time, managing and repaying student loans, being responsible with credit, and other important money skills.
Make sure they have a checking and savings account. Encourage them to save and wisely invest their money. Discuss with them financial goals and how they can achieve them. Talk about the importance of building an emergency fund and the benefits of starting retirement savings early.
Talk About Professionalism
Professionalism is another big quality to consider when work opportunities arise. Young adults need to hone their business etiquette, such as perfecting email and telephone etiquette and dressing for success.
"This might seem like an obvious point, but it’s one that is often under-appreciated by graduates," says Sandra Henke at Hays.*** "You will be expected to adjust the way you communicate when in a corporate working environment. It’s therefore a good idea to familiarize yourself in advance with the key points of professional email and telephone etiquette, such as the importance of introducing yourself if you haven’t spoken to or emailed that person before, and responding to stakeholders in a professional and timely manner."
Help Them Keep an Open Mind
Help your kids understand that career plans don't always go the way we want them or expect them to. Assist them to keep an open mind about opportunities that might be different than what they originally planned. That doesn't mean they can't persevere and pursue their real dreams, but they should be able to recognize great opportunities when they arise and not immediately reject the notion of taking a different path. Oftentimes, people find happiness in work they didn't initially plan to do. Your child should realize that their first job is unlikely to be their last, and they should be willing to learn, improve their skills and knowledge, and grow with each experience.
Keep an Open Mind Yourself
Remember to keep an open mind yourself and that it's important that your child pursues a career that will bring them fulfillment, and what they want may not be exactly what you had in mind for them. Respect that they are now an adult and have their own passions and plans. They need your support, but they are also grown up and have their own lives. Be open to embracing the life they wish to pursue. If you disagree with their plans, provide your concerns and perhaps you can reach a compromise.
Help your kids make the transition from college to career by being supportive and encouraging. They will likely be able to use some advice, and you have the life experience that they can learn from. Share your wisdom and help set them up for success.
** https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/what-best-practices-creating-professional
*** https://social.hays.com/2020/01/29/transition-student-life-to-working-life/