Source:Get a Real-World Experience from the Career Professionals
The world has changed, and so have the needs of children. To keep up with the changes and prepare children for what lies ahead, it is vital to expose them to real-world opportunities that can help them develop transferable soft skills that will be useful in their future careers. These opportunities involve interactions with professionals from various fields who can offer valuable insights into how transferable skills are applied in the real world. In this blog post, we will explore some of the ways you can help your children connect with real-world professionals and the benefits of doing so.
Job shadowing and internships:
Job shadowing and internships provide your children with practical experience in a particular field, offering them an opportunity to learn how the transferable skills they are studying in school are used in the real world. These opportunities also expose your children to the professional culture in the specific field, which can help them learn how to interact with colleagues and adapt to different work environments.
Attend industry conferences:
Industry conferences and trade shows bring together professionals from various fields to share ideas, trends and best practices, with many offering programmes for students. These events are excellent opportunities to connect children with industry professionals who can inspire them to pursue a specific field. Additionally, attending these events can help children learn about the current trends and challenges in specific industries, which can help them narrow down their career choices.
Volunteer work:
Volunteering work is an excellent way for children to give back to their communities, learn new skills and interact with professionals from various fields. Volunteering opportunities such as Habitat for Humanity, animal shelters and non-profit organisations expose children to a diverse range of professionals, broadening their perspectives and providing them with experiences they can leverage in their future careers.
Online networks:
Online networks such as LinkedIn offer an excellent way for children to connect with professionals who work in fields they are interested in. By joining industry groups, commenting on posts and sharing ideas and thoughts, children can begin building professional networks that will be valuable in their future careers. Additionally, online platforms such as Coursera and Udemy offer courses taught by real-life professionals in specific fields, providing children with an opportunity to interact with professionals and learn new skills.
Career fairs and job shadowing days:
Career fairs and job shadowing days are excellent opportunities for children to connect with real-life professionals in various fields. These events offer children a chance to learn about different careers, the levels of education required and the transferable skills needed to succeed in these fields. Additionally, these events expose children to a diverse range of professionals, broadening their perspectives and providing them with experiences they can leverage in their future careers.
Connecting children with real-world professionals is a valuable way of broadening their perspectives, providing them with practical experience and igniting their passions for a particular career. By implementing the strategies outlined above, you can help your children develop transferable skills and gain insights into how these skills are applied in different careers. Additionally, these opportunities provide children with opportunities to network with professionals in their fields of interest, exposing them to potential mentors and helping them develop relationships that will be valuable in their future careers. So, why not start today? Connect your children with real-world professionals and open up a world of opportunities for them!
