When should parents talk to their children about career planning?

There is no magic age for discussing career planning with children, but smart parents start early in the game. Parent should encourage middle-school aged children to learn more about their interests and expose them to a range of different jobs and work environments. Helping children to identify their strengths and encouraging them to ask questions is a great first step in introducing career awareness. At the high school level, a career consultant can help identify a teen’s unique talents and recommend career options and work environments that allow that individual to do their best. Career assessments give juniors and seniors information that can be helpful in choosing types of colleges and academic majors.