Why Your Teen’s “Career Decision” Might Not Be as Certain as It Seems!
As parents, there’s a moment we all breathe a sigh of relief.
Your teen finally says,
“I think I want to do engineering.”
“I’m applying for law.”
“I’ve picked accounting at uni next year.”
Tick. ✅ Crisis averted. The question of what are they going to do with their life seems answered.
But here's the truth:
- Making a decision doesn’t mean they’ve made the right one.
- And choosing a path doesn’t mean they understand why they’ve chosen it.
In my work with teens and families, I’ve seen this play out too many times: the well-meaning but misinformed decision, made under pressure and celebrated too quickly—only to end in stress, withdrawal, or expensive course changes.
Let me give you a real example.
1,800 Students Enrolled. 800 Remained - end of 1st semester!
A student I coached this year began an engineering degree in February. She was one of 1,800 students starting the course. By mid-year, that number had dropped to 800.
That's over 1,000 students who either changed degrees, withdrew completely or felt lost and disillusioned.
Why? Because they didn’t know what they were signing up for.
They were smart. Motivated. Capable.
But they hadn’t done the inner work—the self-awareness piece that’s crucial before any big decision.
Is Your Teen Making This Decision for the Right Reasons?
When a teen chooses a career path, it often comes from:
External pressure (“That’s what smart kids do.”)
Financial expectations (“That career pays well.”)
Parental approval (“Mum and Dad will be happy if I do this.”)
Confusion (“I just picked something to get everyone off my back.”)
None of these are solid foundations for a confident future.
And let’s be honest—when they say something, we feel relief. The not-knowing is hard on us too. But that relief can cause us to bypass the most important conversations.
Questions Every Parent Should Ask
Before you nod and say “Great, let’s enroll you!”, try asking:
“What draws you to this field? What do you imagine your days looking like?”
“How does this fit with your personality and what you enjoy?”
“Have you spoken to someone actually working in this industry?”
“What other paths are you curious about?”
“What would success look like for you—not just what sounds impressive?”
These questions don’t need to cause doubt. They create clarity. Confidence. Ownership.
They show your teen you're not just relieved they picked something—but that you care about why they’re picking it.
What Most Teens Need First: Self-Awareness
Before any talk of university, apprenticeships or jobs, teens need to understand themselves.
They need to know:
What motivates them
What environments they thrive in
Their strengths, values, interests and working style
How to explore options without fear of failure
That’s the work we do inside the Empower Youth Programme—a 6-week group experience designed to help teens figure out who they are before deciding what to do.
It’s practical, positive, and proven.
Want to Learn How to Talk to Your Teen About All This?
If you’re not sure where to start—or how to ask these big questions without causing stress—come along to my free 1-hour workshop:
"How to Talk to Your Teen About Career & Study Choices"
You’ll walk away with:
✅ Practical questions that open up healthy, future-focused conversations
✅ A better understanding of how your teen thinks
✅ Strategies to reduce pressure and increase clarity
✅ An invitation to join Empower Youth, if it feels right for your whānau
🗓️ 21st August @ 7pm
📍Via Zoom (link sent on registration)
👉 Register here for the FREE workshop
👉 Learn more about Empower Youth
Help Your Teen Choose Confidence Over Confusion
As a parent, you want your child to be happy, capable and fulfilled. The right path doesn’t have to be figured out today—but understanding how to explore it matters more than ticking a box.
If you want to avoid the stress, wasted money and second guessing that comes from rushed decisions, start here—with questions, conversation and support.
Let’s empower your teen to make choices they’ll feel proud of—because they’re rooted in self-knowledge, not pressure.
I’d love to support your family on this journey.
Louise Crowe
Career Coach | Empower Youth
Register for the Workshop | Explore Empower Youth Programme
