HOW CAN PARENTS, SCHOOLS HELP?
What youths really want to hear are our personal stories.
At home, parents can share their own personal experiences, particularly those involving failure and how they overcame it. Some may worry that their children will think less of them if they share such unflattering tales – I used to have similar worries, and I discovered that my own stories of professional and personal setbacks have been profoundly instructive for young people.
When presented as stories, youths are more receptive to learn that failure can be an opportunity for growth – they are assured that it is not the end of the world when they make mistakes, that struggles and mistakes are part and parcel in the working world and in life.
Schools can organise more platforms for students to interact with professionals through small-group dialogue sessions, mentoring programmes, or collaborative projects. These initiatives provide students opportunities to see the human side of these professionals, a realistic glimpse into various career paths, and dispel any myths or fears they might have about the professional world.
One thing youths can do is to explore doing informational interviews, where one connects with professionals (through e-mail or LinkedIn), learning more about their jobs and industries in a casual conversation over coffee or a meal.
This can feel very intimidating – and this is where the entire family can work together. Parents can help to build their children’s confidence by conducting practice interviews and share their stories in the process. They can also use this as an opportunity to invite colleagues and friends to share their stories and experiences as part of the practice.
Ultimately, these stories are powerful in demystifying the path that lies ahead of them, empowering them to make their own decisions and try new experiences.
By fostering open dialogues and a sharing of experiences with working adults, we can help our youths to bridge their world with ours.
Jonathan Sim is Associate Fellow of the NUS Teaching Academy and Lecturer with the Department of Philosophy at National University of Singapore.