Parents of a student

Got some concerns about your young person's plans for the future...or lack of?

Wondering how best to help them make that transition to the next stage of life?

Helping parents and wh?nau work through these issues with their teens is a big part of the reason Purpose. Career planning and support came into being. We understand the seemingly impossible maze young people are experiencing, and are passionate about investing in the next generation of New Zealanders.

To be able to make good quality decisions about their futures teens need to develop knowledge in three areas:

1. Knowledge about themselves
2. Knowledge about jobs and the world of work
3. Knowledge about how to make good decisions

A lot of adults are lacking in at least one of these areas, so it's a tall order to expect our kids to be able to know enough about all three to get them to the next stage without some help. This fact alone explains the reason why at least 60% of university students change degrees after their first year! That's a lot of heartache and financial outlay that could be avoided with better preparation.

Our goal at Purpose. Career planning and support is to work with teens, depending on what it is they need: 

• Most often it's really valuable for them to learn more about who they are as an individual and what makes them different to their peers, and perhaps other members of their family. We help them understand and appreciate their family work history and how it impacts them, their values, skills, interests, and an understanding of their work type preferences.
   
• We help them to identify and address shortcomings in their knowledge about selected work and study possibilities. This might incorporate developing an action plan with timeframes that they take responsibility for. Empowerment is the key here.
   
• We help them work through whatever decision-making process they are needing help with, often utilising the tools above. An independent, non-biased, confidential source of support is greatly appreciated by teens and parents alike!
   
• We provide job search, application, and interview skills coaching.
   
• We provide follow-up sessions and coaching as required, including telephone support.