Planning for the future is not something you do once. It's an ongoing process. Career planning has three steps that your child will cycle through and repeat throughout his or her working life.

By following the steps below, young people can make informed career decisions. As a parent, you can help them explore their options and discover what it will take to reach their goals.

Step One: Know yourself

Evaluate yourself—your interests, abilities, and work values.

Step Two: Explore options and choose a direction

Gather information to consider career options that relate to what you know about yourself.

Step Three: Make plans and take action

Consider issues that can affect your plans and take appropriate actions to accomplish your goals.

» Be receptive to and listen when your child wants to discuss career and/or college plans.

» Have your child explore career and college options and collect as much information as possible.

» Encourage them to capture their ideas on paper. One idea is to create a scrapbook of their plans for career and college.

» Be aware of various deadlines for applications to colleges and financial aid. Put them on a calendar that both you and your child can
      look at.

» Suggest that your child meet with a school counselor at least once a year, beginning in the 10th grade, to learn more about college
      and career planning.

» Be supportive of your child, and meet with their counselor if you sense that he or she needs additional help.

» Encourage your child by helping them see the connection between college and career. Emphasize the importance of selecting a
      major that helps them prepare for a career.

» If your child is undecided about a career direction, do not try to fix it. Let them look into all the possibilities.