Parents, it's time to look at careers differently. Here’s why!

While I was speaking at an event recently, I was asked the pertinent question:

“Parents and society see education as a pathway to a good job and climbing up the economic ladder. Parents come with a set of expectations; instead of giving the child an environment to experiment, even if they fail. Your work in that respect is unconventional. How do you see acceptance of parents? What challenges do you face when it comes to parents adopting and encouraging their children to take up these alternate approaches which are a replacement for mainstream education?”

Look beyond what education should look like

Parents often come from a well-meaning place of security for their children. Thanks to years of preconditioning, most of us see failure and experimentation as taboo. It’s perhaps the biggest barrier to better learning. As an educator, I find that my role doesn’t end with helping children learn. It extends to helping parents unlearn the misconceptions they have about how education “should look like”.

Most parents still see education as a pathway to a good job and a way to climb up the economic ladder. I would also throw the socio-economic ladder into the mix. Some students have the added pressure to adhere to a perceived legacy of the family or even their ethnic community.

From my own experience, once a parent sees their child blossom in front of their eyes, just with a dream mapping session, their minds open up to the endless possibilities that liberal education provides.

There are endless opportunities

What can parents do to help their teens with choosing their career? It’s simple. Show teens support. Address their anxiety and offer a helping hand when necessary. Ask questions to get them thinking about their choices. This can help teens think a little deeper about what they have in mind and arrive at a well thought out decision.

Help them prepare for the real thing by looking for opportunities to intern or apprentice. This will give them real world experience that can and it’s great on a resume as well.

Our innovation is not about creating a better mousetrap that fits the needs of everyone. We are merely a catalyst that enables each learner to be who they want to be - to pursue their path - without schooling coming in between learning.

Conclusion

Unlearning the years of conditioning we’ve been subjected to with regards to how we view careers, is a journey that we all have to go through. Students, parents, and teachers alike. At Beyond 8, we offer an environment for young adults to pursue their interests through transformative pathways. Our students achieve specific learning outcomes that are essential for lasting success in work, citizenship and life.

Check out our LinkedIn or Instagram page to get a look into what we do! If you’d like to learn more about our programs, reach out to us here!