Parent Career Zone

It is widely recognised that parents/carers are one of the most influential forces in a young person’s career and education decision-making. It is therefore very important that parents/carers have the information, guidance and support they need to help their children navigate these decisions.
Research suggests that parents/carers are more likely to speak to their children about career options when they are confident to do so, and many children actually found the information and advice received by their family very useful in making decisions on their future choices.
This page aims to provide you with information and resources to support your child with careers information and guidance and will cover a variety of careers related topics you will find useful.
You may even want to get involved and support our school careers programme. By becoming involved in the careers-related learning at Oak Tree School, parents and carers not only gain an opportunity to benefit our pupils but also to learn more about this area of work going on across the school. There are several ways in which you could become involved in our careers programme:

• you might have a job which you would like to come in and talk to our pupils about
• you may be happy to have a pupil shadow you at work to find out more about what you do
• you might work for an organisation which would be happy to have a stall at one of our school-based careers fayres.

If you are interested in being involved with any of these areas, or have any other ideas, thoughts or comments, please email our Careers Lead, Chris Penfold, chris.penfold@oaktreeschoolcornwall.co.uk

How Can I Help?

• As a parent you are one of the most influential people in your child’s life and in the best possible position to support your child as they consider their future, review their options and make choices. Here at Oak Tree School, our careers programme provides education, information, advice and guidance. That said, research shows that children look to their parents first when they want career advice. Whilst some young people have a very clear idea of where they see their pathway leading them, others may take a while to decide – you can help by:
  Starting the conversation
•  Focus on skills and behaviour your child will need, rather than specific jobs.
• Talk about goals and what your child finds fulfilling.
• Be open minded and encouraging.
• Talk about what careers experiences your child has had at school, for example lessons, visits, work experience.
• Be patient as your child’s choices may change.
• Remember it’s your child’s decision on what direction they want to go.

It can be challenging to know how to ask the right questions, so here some top tips to get started:

1.  Start with their interests, skills, abilities and values – get them to write them down
2.  Talk about their likes and dislikes of different school subjects