As our children begin to grow older, many of us do what we can to guide them into the next phase of their life. With the abundance of choices and opportunities in the world, it can be overwhelming knowing how to best prepare our teenagers for the future. Fortunately, there are several helpful tips you can use to enrich your teen’s professional profile so they can confidently step into their next job or opportunity.
Encourage your teenager to join extracurricular activities that will help them develop professionally.
One of the greatest benefits of joining group activities is learning the skill of teamwork. Working with others is a fact of life and is a crucial skill to the overall progress and success in any industry. Since the teenage years are a transitional time of mental and emotional development, joining extracurricular activities is an opportunity to explore their interests, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and learn how to effectively work with others. This opportunity can also provide a much-needed sense of structure and discipline in a teenager’s life. As teens begin to put more space between themselves and the adults in their lives, these activities are a powerful way to nurture their growth and development.
Help them create a strong resume and profile on LinkedIn.
While most teens are spending their time on social media apps like TikTok and Snapchat, you may want to encourage your teenager to start thinking about more productive ways to utilize social media platforms such as LinkedIn. Here, your teen can begin to get a feel for the professional environment that LinkedIn offers. They can also start to build a presence and grow their network. Another thing to consider is building their resume. Although they won’t have a great deal of experience yet, it’s important to begin thinking of opportunities they can pursue in order to build a resume. They may choose to add details about their education, volunteering, or jobs to this point. They may also begin thinking of the skills they want to have and start finding ways to build those now.
Teach them how to network with professionals in their field.
Networking is a skill in itself. By taking the first steps of putting themselves in a room full of strangers with similar interests and goals, your teen will be far ahead of their peers. By building relationships with professionals in their field, teenagers can gain invaluable insights into their chosen careers, learn about job opportunities, and make connections that could lead to a successful future. Like other ambitious students, your teen may choose to enroll in a versatile mini-mba program where they will further hone their professional circles and interests. Professional networking can also help teenagers to further develop and refine essential skills such as communication and collaboration. Your teen will find a support system of like-minded individuals who can offer advice and guidance as they navigate the challenges of the working world.
Encourage them to take on leadership roles and volunteer opportunities.
As any successful professional will tell you, leadership and volunteer experience is essential for anyone hoping to have a successful career. For teenagers, taking on leadership roles and volunteer opportunities can help them in a number of ways. First, it gives them a chance to learn new skills and develop their abilities. Second, it allows them to gain valuable experience that will be helpful when they enter the workforce. Lastly, these opportunities help them to build their professional network and establish relationships with people who can help them in their career. As they begin their journey into the professional world, they will learn the importance of taking on these and other roles, which will help to shape their leadership skills and prepare them for the real world.
Help them stay up-to-date on industry news and trends.
As a teenager, it’s important to stay up-to-date on industry news and trends in order to develop professionally. Doing this will not only help your teen understand what’s happening in their chosen job field, but it will also give them a leg up when it comes time to apply for jobs or internships. By keeping abreast of current trends, your teen will be equipped to contribute meaningfully to conversations with professionals in their field. Depending on the industry, information can be found in various places, including trade associations or publications, social media, or search engines such as Google or YouTube. By making a habit of staying informed, your teen will position themselves as a knowledgeable and engaged professionals.
While we may be living in a largely digital world, there is still something to be said about face to face interactions and in-person activities, such as networking and volunteering. By encouraging our teenagers to embrace these and other opportunities, we can help them enrich their professional profile while developing their skills.