Introduction | For Students | For Educators | For Employers | For Parents
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PARENTS

You can help your child explore career options by encouraging him or her to job shadow. Much like Educators, you have an important role in both preparing your child to benefit most deeply in the experience AND to make a positive and lasting impression on the host company.

Before. . .

• It's not unusual for adults to return to the comfort and security of their home after a hard day at work and blow off steam by griping about difficult co-workers or office snafus. But is that the only time you talk about work in front of your family? You might be giving your child a negative impression of work in general, so be sure to balance the gripes with stories of office successes and the benefits of teamwork.
• Your children may know your job title, but do they know your job responsibilities? Talk about the skills you use and daily tasks you perform.
• Provide examples of the skills you use on the job and how they relate to the salary you earn - and use that as an example of how your family maintains its standard of living.
• Give examples of your own workplace's etiquette expectations, and remind them to address people respectfully ("Nice to meet you, Mr. Smith.").
• Help them review their wardrobe and make appropriate choices to wear to the host site.
• Paperwork and permission slips usually have to be signed any time your child leaves school for a supervised activity. Promptly fill out all forms and return them to the teacher.

On the Big Day. . .

• Provide a good breakfast; give your child's wardrobe one final review; and be sure he or she has copies of a resume and required permission slips.
• Offer to assist with student transportation to the host site, if possible.
• Wish the students good luck and send them off to the "real-life" world of work!

After. . .

• Ask your child plenty of open-ended questions about the day. For instance, What did you like the best? Did you see anything that surprised you? Did you see any new skills in use that you would like to learn?
• Support new interests by encouraging your child to take a class at school, join a club or activity, or volunteer to perform a community service.
• Point out businesses you frequent and the workers on staff there, to continue your child's exposure to and understanding of the world of work.
• Encourage new opportunities for exposure to the world of work (such as internships, mentoring or volunteering) as your child refines his or her career goals.