There is nothing more frightening for a parent these days than attempting to guide a teen towards selecting that right path for post secondary education. These are challenging times. The number of parents I know whose children have graduated from university unable to find more than minimum wages jobs in the service industry is truly shocking. We're not used to this in Canada, yet it is the reality. I've had discussions with two career planners recently and both made the same observation. One described the new employment reality as a triangle - those with highly specialized knowledge will find themselves at the top, but the vast majority of people will be in low wage contract jobs. Another career strategist described it more as a diamond. The broadest group of people will be in the widest part of the diamond, they will be in a combination of low-wage, self-employment and endless contract work. Both made the same comment about our education system: schools are doing a poor job of preparing students for this new reality.
For those of us who grew up and entered careers during the largest economic boom in one of the world's richest countries, this is shocking news. As an educator it frightens me, because we are the people educating the young, preparing them for the world we grew up in, rather than the one that now exists. And I don't think those of us in secure, union-supported, benefit enhanced, privileged jobs really understand this new reality because we are so, so protected from it. At the same time, there are thousands of highly paid jobs going begging because employers cannot find employees with the right skill sets. Clearly there's a disconnect between what we are pushing in schools and what is actually needed in the job market.
Speaking from the point of view of a parent of two children about to enter post-secondary education and make career choices, I am floundering in attempting to provide guidance - and I work in education. I can't imagine what it must be like for non-English speaking, immigrant parents attempting to assist their children in making appropriate education and career choices.
Fortunately for us, my eldest has needed no guidance. She's carved out a specialized niche for herself starting at age 8 and has carefully and strategically worked toward her goal. The stars are lining up in her favour and she informs us when she has made her next move.
My youngest though, is of a different mindset and actively seeks our input. For the past year she's been asking what courses to take, what she should be doing, what are the implications of selecting purely academic courses over interest courses. She'll be 17 when she graduates from grade 12, should she do a victory lap or go straight to university or college or ...? And I have to say attempting to provide these answers is almost impossible. The lack of well-developed guidance programs at the high school level has added to our conundrum.
Enter David Lawson.
David has the kind of specialized knowledge that can only be developed through decades of working in his field. He's a career and education planner. Originally he worked at the university level but became frustrated by the number of students entering university, spending a fortune and not really certain why they were there or whether the programs they had chosen were the correct ones. He now works in private practice with grade 11 and 12 students helping them to understand their interests and personality traits and to develop a fulfilling education and career path.
This week my daughter, Hannah, went to see him. David does thorough, high quality personality and interest assessments. Based on those assessments he helped her narrow down education and career options. Hannah left his office bouncing with confidence, understanding her strengths and weakness and how they might play out in her academic and career planning. She understands why she excelled in certain courses in high school and why some left her cold. She now has a clear plan in place of what she needs to do over the next year - what universities to visit, who to talk to, where to find the information she needs and most of all she's excited about her options. She even knows which institutions will better match her personality and where she'll be more likely to find the kind of success she is seeking.
Her comment after the sessions with David was that every student should have this opportunity. The question for me as a parent is if these kinds of tools exist why are we not providing this level of service in our high schools? The stakes are high and leaving parents and students to flounder about with these choices is wrong. Especially given the high cost of an inappropriate education choice. No one can afford the $20 000 cost of a failed year at university.
In talking with David, he knows of no other person who provides this kind of service and schools certainly aren't providing this level of support. His clients come from across Canada, the USA and Europe to his home in Burlington, Ontario and he has a lengthy wait list. In fact, his 2013 calendar is beginning to fill - although you can ask to be placed on a cancellation list.
I can't fully express how grateful I am to David, because he not only met with Hannah, but he explained to me how to provide assistance in carrying out her plan. I know my role. Thank you David Lawson. I wish there were more of you! http://www.lawsoncareersolutions.ca
For those of us who grew up and entered careers during the largest economic boom in one of the world's richest countries, this is shocking news. As an educator it frightens me, because we are the people educating the young, preparing them for the world we grew up in, rather than the one that now exists. And I don't think those of us in secure, union-supported, benefit enhanced, privileged jobs really understand this new reality because we are so, so protected from it. At the same time, there are thousands of highly paid jobs going begging because employers cannot find employees with the right skill sets. Clearly there's a disconnect between what we are pushing in schools and what is actually needed in the job market.
Speaking from the point of view of a parent of two children about to enter post-secondary education and make career choices, I am floundering in attempting to provide guidance - and I work in education. I can't imagine what it must be like for non-English speaking, immigrant parents attempting to assist their children in making appropriate education and career choices.
Fortunately for us, my eldest has needed no guidance. She's carved out a specialized niche for herself starting at age 8 and has carefully and strategically worked toward her goal. The stars are lining up in her favour and she informs us when she has made her next move.
My youngest though, is of a different mindset and actively seeks our input. For the past year she's been asking what courses to take, what she should be doing, what are the implications of selecting purely academic courses over interest courses. She'll be 17 when she graduates from grade 12, should she do a victory lap or go straight to university or college or ...? And I have to say attempting to provide these answers is almost impossible. The lack of well-developed guidance programs at the high school level has added to our conundrum.
Enter David Lawson.
David has the kind of specialized knowledge that can only be developed through decades of working in his field. He's a career and education planner. Originally he worked at the university level but became frustrated by the number of students entering university, spending a fortune and not really certain why they were there or whether the programs they had chosen were the correct ones. He now works in private practice with grade 11 and 12 students helping them to understand their interests and personality traits and to develop a fulfilling education and career path.
This week my daughter, Hannah, went to see him. David does thorough, high quality personality and interest assessments. Based on those assessments he helped her narrow down education and career options. Hannah left his office bouncing with confidence, understanding her strengths and weakness and how they might play out in her academic and career planning. She understands why she excelled in certain courses in high school and why some left her cold. She now has a clear plan in place of what she needs to do over the next year - what universities to visit, who to talk to, where to find the information she needs and most of all she's excited about her options. She even knows which institutions will better match her personality and where she'll be more likely to find the kind of success she is seeking.
Her comment after the sessions with David was that every student should have this opportunity. The question for me as a parent is if these kinds of tools exist why are we not providing this level of service in our high schools? The stakes are high and leaving parents and students to flounder about with these choices is wrong. Especially given the high cost of an inappropriate education choice. No one can afford the $20 000 cost of a failed year at university.
In talking with David, he knows of no other person who provides this kind of service and schools certainly aren't providing this level of support. His clients come from across Canada, the USA and Europe to his home in Burlington, Ontario and he has a lengthy wait list. In fact, his 2013 calendar is beginning to fill - although you can ask to be placed on a cancellation list.
I can't fully express how grateful I am to David, because he not only met with Hannah, but he explained to me how to provide assistance in carrying out her plan. I know my role. Thank you David Lawson. I wish there were more of you! http://www.lawsoncareersolutions.ca
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