When your teenager hits their final year of school, the “what’s next?” question suddenly starts coming from all directions. Friends, teachers, random relatives — everyone wants to know the plan. But what if your teen doesn’t have one yet? Or has one but isn’t sure about it? That’s where you come in. You don’t need to have all the answers for them, but you can definitely help make the process less overwhelming. Whether they’re feeling lost or already thinking about a few different paths, here’s how you can guide them without turning it into a full-on lecture.
Start With What Makes Them Tick
Instead of launching into a serious career chat, ease in by asking what they actually enjoy. Not what they’re good at, or what sounds impressive — just what they like doing. Do they love fixing things? Are they always doodling? Do they enjoy helping people? This gives you a good starting point. It’s not about mapping out their entire future — it’s just about figuring out what sparks their interest. From there, you can start talking about what kinds of jobs or paths connect to that interest.
There’s More Than One Route to Take
Some teens are ready to jump into university or college. Others? Not so much. And that’s totally okay. There are loads of other options out there that don’t follow the traditional route. One thing worth exploring is online courses. These can be super helpful if your teen wants to try out something new without committing to years of study. Whether it’s graphic design, coding, marketing, photography — there’s probably an online course for it. It’s a way to build skills, test out interests, and figure out what clicks, all at their own pace and from the comfort of home.
Be Honest About the Day-to-Day Stuff
While dreaming big is great, it’s also important to talk about what daily life actually looks like in different jobs. Is it mostly indoors or outdoors? Do they sit at a computer all day or are they on the move? Is it steady work or does it come in waves? Money comes into this too, of course. But instead of making it all about salaries, ask what kind of lifestyle they want. Would they like to live in the city? Have a flexible schedule? Travel regularly? These little details can help shape what kind of path makes the most sense for them.
Help Them Try Things Before Committing
Sometimes, the best way to figure things out is to just give it a go. Your teen doesn’t have to have everything nailed down before they take their first step. Encourage them to try out part-time work, shadow someone, volunteer, or take a short course. It’s all about testing the waters. Even if they realize they don’t like something, that’s still a win. It helps narrow things down and gives them real-life experience to build on.
Talk to People Doing the Job
Sometimes the best way to learn about a career is by hearing from someone living it. If your teen is curious about a certain path, see if they can chat with someone already in that role. Real stories can help them see what it’s actually like day to day.
Be Curious Instead of Controlling
You don’t need to become their career counsellor. In fact, it’s better if you don’t try to take over. What you can do is stay curious. Ask open questions. Explore different ideas with them. Even just watching videos about people working in certain industries can spark something. Think of it like you’re both gathering information together. That way, they feel supported, not pushed. And they might open up more if they don’t feel like they’re being steered in one specific direction.
Let Them Lead (Even If You’re Nervous)
As a parent, you probably have your own ideas about what’s “best.” But this decision isn’t yours to make. Your job is to walk alongside them, not in front of them. Let them weigh up their options, change their mind a few times, and move at their own pace. They might go in a direction you don’t expect. That’s okay. People take all sorts of routes into careers these days, and what matters most is that they feel like the decision is theirs.
Remind Them That Plans Can Change
Lots of teens think they’re supposed to choose the perfect path the first time around. But most people zigzag their way through different jobs and interests before settling into something long-term. It helps to remind them that nothing is locked in. They can start one thing and switch later. They can explore one field and end up discovering something completely different they love even more. What they choose now isn’t permanent — it’s just a starting point.
Keep Things Low Key
Teens are already under a lot of pressure. School deadlines, exam stress, social stuff — it’s a lot. So the last thing they need is extra stress coming from home. Try not to check in constantly or remind them that “time’s ticking.” Instead, be the person who stays calm and listens. Even if it doesn’t seem like they’re paying attention to what you say, they are. The more relaxed you are, the more likely they’ll be to come to you when they need help.
So, what’s next?
There’s no single “right” choice. Some teens will head off to university. Others might look into apprenticeships, take a job, travel, or sign up for online courses to learn something new. What matters most is that they make a choice that feels good for them — not just one that ticks boxes. You’re not there to hand them a plan. You’re there to support them as they figure it out. Listen more than you speak. Ask questions instead of giving answers. And remind them that no one expects them to have it all sorted straight away. They’ve got time. They’ll get there. And with you in their corner, they’ll have the confidence to figure it out in their own way.