5 Simple Ways to Encourage Career Exploration in Your Homeschool

Look, we are living through what's called the 4th Industrial Revolution and like every revolution it's a time of disruption. Changes are occurring in technology, transportation and how we live and work as well as in the field of education. Now, more than ever, our high school students need to do some serious Career Exploration. Emerging economies, with new technology and career fields that have not previously existed offer exciting future opportunities. On the other hand, college costs are spiraling out of control and certifications and entrepreneurship offer cost effective opportunities.

What better time to delve into the exciting world of career exploration with your homeschooled children? Homeschooling offers a unique platform for parents to tailor their children's education to their individual needs and interests. One area where homeschooling truly shines is career exploration. By fostering an environment of curiosity and discovery, homeschool parents can help their children explore various career paths and find their passions.

5 Simple Ideas for Career Exploration

How can we encourage career exploration as we homeschool? We’ve got 5 Simple ideas for you as you embark on this journey with your children, helping them discover their interests, aspirations, and dreams. Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity for parents to tailor their children's education to their individual needs and interests. One area where homeschooling truly shines is career exploration. By fostering an environment of curiosity and discovery, homeschool parents can help their children explore various career paths and find their passions. In this blog post, we'll discuss five simple ways to encourage career exploration in your homeschool.

Encourage Open Conversations

One of the easiest ways to start the career exploration journey is by having open conversations with your children. Ask them what they're curious about, what they enjoy doing, and what they dream of becoming. These discussions can lead to a better understanding of their interests and goals.

Have frank conversations with your kids about the type of lifestyle they want and the actual costs of supporting and maintaining that lifestyle.

Create a supportive and non-judgmental atmosphere, where your children feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and dreams. You can also share stories about your own career journey, including the ups and downs, to provide them with valuable insights.

At True North Homeschool Academy, the students in the Career Exploration class we have kids do family interviews to discover what career fields were common in their immediate and extended family. It’s so fun to discover family interests and patterns and these interviews might pique your students interests and give them a sense of extended resources and opportunities available to them.

Explore Diverse Subjects

Homeschooling allows you to create a flexible curriculum, making it easier to incorporate a wide range of subjects and activities. Encourage your children to explore diverse fields of study, even beyond the traditional subjects. For instance, you can introduce them to art, music, coding, science experiments, and even hands-on vocational skills, like Video Editing, Graphic Design or Podcasting!

This exposure to various disciplines can help your children discover new interests and talents they might not have realized they had. Additionally, it will provide them with a more well-rounded education that can be beneficial for future career choices.

Arrange Field Trips and Experiences

Field trips and real-world experiences are excellent ways to bring career exploration to life. Plan visits to museums, local businesses, workshops, and career fairs. These excursions can introduce your children to professionals from different fields, giving them an opportunity to ask questions and gain valuable insights.

You can also organize internships or shadowing experiences with friends or family members who work in various professions. Hands-on experiences are a fantastic way to get a taste of what different careers are really like. In our local community, students can do Science Labs at our local hospital, allowing students the opportunity to work in a hospital setting.

Utilize Online Resources

The internet is a treasure trove of resources for career exploration. Use online tools and websites to research and learn about various professions. Websites like O*NET OnLine, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the Occupational Outlook Handbook provide detailed information about careers, including job descriptions, education requirements, and salary ranges. Check out the Holland Codes for various career fields.

Encourage your children to take online career assessments or quizzes to help them identify potential career matches based on their interests, skills, and values. Many of these resources are user-friendly and can be a fun way for your children to explore potential career paths.

Foster a Growth Mindset

It's essential to instill a growth mindset in your homeschooling journey. Encourage your children to embrace challenges, learn from failures, and see obstacles as opportunities for growth. This mindset will prepare them for the ever-changing job market and help them develop resilience and adaptability, two essential skills in today's workforce.

Emphasize the importance of lifelong learning and the idea that their career path may not be set in stone. Encourage them to explore new interests and continue learning throughout their lives.

Career exploration in homeschooling can be an exciting and enriching experience for both parents and children. By fostering open conversations, exploring diverse subjects, arranging field trips, utilizing online resources, and nurturing a growth mindset, you can help your children discover their passions and make informed career decisions. Remember that the journey of career exploration is not a one-time event; it's an ongoing process that can evolve and adapt to your child's changing interests and goals.

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Lisa Nehring

Author, Publisher, Curriculum Developer at True North Homeschool Academy

Lisa Nehring has been married for over 30 years, has five children, 2 graduate degrees and a black belt in homeschooling. She has homeschooled since 1991 and wrote a Master’s Thesis on Why Parent’s Homeschool, the Literature Review being,A History of Education in America.

Lisa Nehring and her husband, Dr. David Nehring, a Clinical Psychologist, and Biblical Scholar speak together on a wide variety of topics, including education, classical education, vision, mission, parenting, marriage, and more.