College & Career Launch: Helping Teens Plan for Success with Kolby Goodman

🎓 Early Career Conversations

 

Start discussing careers with teens as early as 4th to 6th grade to explore their interests and problem-solving skills.

 

👨‍👦‍👦 Parental Involvement

 

Encourage parents to be curious about their child’s aspirations: “What do you want to do? Why that?” This helps in guiding them towards career paths.

 

💼 Importance of Real-World Experience

 

Teens should gain real-world experience through jobs or volunteer work. This helps them understand their likes and dislikes, building confidence in their career choices.

 

🚀 Sampling Careers

 

Promote “sampling” various jobs, even informal ones like tutoring or working at a pizza place, to expose teens to different environments and responsibilities.

 

🧑‍🎓 Resume vs. Experience

 

A resume with a 4.0 GPA is valuable, but employers increasingly value life experiences and problem-solving abilities over grades alone.

 

📈 Career Preparation and College

 

In addition to academics, students should engage in extracurriculars, internships, and community service to build a well-rounded application for both college and future jobs.

 

👥 Networking and Exposure

 

College is not just about the degree; it's also about networking and exposure. Engaging with peers and professors can open doors for future employment.

 

⚖️ Student Athlete Benefits

 

Being a student athlete can enhance job prospects. However, students must learn to articulate how their athletic experiences translate to skills valuable in the workplace.

 

📚 Book Recommendation

 

Colby Goodman’s book, “Start Now and 49 Other Things You Need to Do to Be Employed by Graduation,” provides actionable steps for students to prepare for their careers.

 

🌍 Real-World Skills Over Classroom Focus

 

Emphasize the importance of skills learned outside the classroom. Employers look for problem solvers rather than just job doers.

 

🔗 Engagement with Career Coaches

 

Working with a career coach can help students clarify their goals, enhance their resumes, and prepare for interviews to secure jobs post-graduation.

 

💬 Final Thoughts for Parents

 

Encourage ongoing conversations about careers, framing them as exploratory rather than pressure-filled, to cultivate a positive outlook on their child's future.

 

 

Connect with Shellee Howard: 

Website

YouTube

Instagram

LinkedIn

Email: [email protected]

 

Connect with Nara Legrand:

Website

Facebook

LinkedIn
 

Email: [email protected]

🎁 Episode Gift & Contact

 

🎓 College Planning Support for Parents
Want help organizing next steps and avoiding costly college mistakes?

 

📘 Workbook Gift:
https://go.collegereadyplan.com/podcast-gift-workbook

 

🤝 Interested in Collaborating with College Ready?
Email Julienne at [email protected]