Posts Tagged ‘summer jobs’

1. You can do it. Most kids love to talk about themselves and are thrilled when adults give them their full attention. You might be surprised to hear what they want to be when they grow up.

2. You can provide mentoring through a volunteer program such as those sponsored by the National Mentoring Partnership, Read Aloud America, America’s Promise, and the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation. They welcome individual, community and corporate participation.

3. You can also mentor a child more informally any time, anywhere throughout the year: during a meal, while doing chores around the house, during TV commercials or on the way home from soccer practice. Simple questions such as “Who do you think designs soccer equipment?”  and “I wonder who wrote the jingle for that commercial?” can lead to conversations about diverse career choices.

4. One-on-one conversations can uncover important clues about what will motivate a child in life and in school. Listen carefully and tie that clue to a school subject, an exploratory field trip or an informational interview with someone who works in that field.

5. You can elicit important information through shared creative activities too: reading aloud, singing, dancing, painting, exercising, visiting museums, and going to movies. The key is to hone in on what makes a child glow with enjoyment, curiosity or a sense of achievement and to help them apply that to their school work and life skills development.

6. You don’t need to preach or judge. Only encourage, nurture and appreciate. Think back to what it meant to you to have an adult care about your thoughts, dreams and opinions. That’s where strong self-esteem starts and self doubt ends.

7. If you don’t know the answers to a child’s questions, find them together. Knowing how and where to find answers is a fabulous life skill in and of itself. Visit libraries and museums, go on field trips, source varied reference materials, interview experts – show kids how rewarding it is to explore the world around them. Along the way, they will become more comfortable with finding their place in it.

8. You have a lot of wisdom to share about your work, education, career path and professional experience. Share how you have learned –or are still learning- to deal with challenges and opportunities along the way. Use all of it as your mentoring curriculum.  It’s good stuff!

9. Sharing stories or regrets about the good, the bad, and yes, the stupid decisions you have made will help a child feel more at ease and less anxious about his or her own decisions. Kids appreciate honesty. (And they can spot a poser a mile away.)

10. STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and math) are hot topics in the news, as they should be. But not everyone is cut out for them. Help kids understand that thousands of jobs make the world go ‘round. We need the professionals who collect our trash and repair our cars as much as we need software engineers and biologists. Instill a respect for all professionals and what they contribute to our working world.

CareerWise by Tailwag Studio publishes creative kids-to-career resources for use at home, in the classroom or in youth mentoring programs. No special training is required, so anyone can help mentor kids so they can have brighter futures. www.GetCareerWise.com

CareerWise by Tailwag Studio publishes creative kids-to-career resources for use at home, in the classroom, by counselors,  or in youth mentoring programs. No special training is required– anyone can help mentor kids so they  have brighter futures. www.GetCareerWise.com

 June is Abloom with Opportunities!

Opening kids’ eyes to the big wide world of career opportunities around them shouldn’t end with the school year.

Career exploration – which is all about helping kids connect-the-dots between their school work, their talents and interests, and getting a job someday – can be a creative and easy activity all year long.

For example, there are obviously many people in the world who love celebrations of every kind. I searched online and readily found many web sites listing ‘observances’ in June that range from the seemingly silly (June is Iced Tea Month) to the serious. (It is also Drivers’ Education Month.)

But, low and behold, investigating Iced Tea Month turned out to be pretty interesting.  It became a springboard for learning about the different kinds of teas and tea leaf growers around the world as well as the people who come up with new recipes for hot, bottled, iced and spiked teas. I read that there is a lot of research that goes into uncovering the health and nutritional benefits of different types of tea as well as how it can be used in cooking—as a rub, a marinade or for steaming. (I didn’t know that.) It can also be used as a beauty aid.

There are even schools that prepare professionals for relocation to Great Britain and Asian countries where tea services are a large part of the culture — so no one commits embarrassing faux pas on the job. Who knew? I found all this out by looking at observances in June and picking one to investigate.

You could keep connecting-the-dots:  What other types of jobs or businesses are connected to the tea and/or beverage industry?  Who hires these people? I have Lipton, Nestle and Wild Organics as brand names on the packages of teas in my cupboard.  What are these companies all about? Are they good employers? Who do they hire? What training or degrees are commonly required to work for them?

Dot. Dot. Dot. Wasn’t that easy?

I’m really excited now. June 20^th is Ice Cream Soda Day! I may just have to do some hands-on research for that one. I think I’ll go have an iced tea and start planning ahead.

For creative, fun and easy career exploration resources, including a fascinating poster with 1001 Job Titles from A to Z,  visit www.GetCareerWise.com.

Lively, valuable conversations that will help kids in everything they do in life can take place around the dinner table, around a campfire, on a roadtrip or even while hiking and biking.  Jobs and ‘hire education’ are hot topics right now –make them fun, engaging and relevant for your kids this summer!

Here are some tips for how to get started:

1) Share with them what you like about your job or responsibilities-not just the financial rewards but the satisfaction you get from different aspects of it. Discuss your career dreams and how you did (or did not) pursue them. Be honest about the things you like about your job,your career plans for the future and how you will attain that goal.

2) Take notice of your kids’ innate talents and interests; comment and encourage their development. Explain how specific strengths relate to specific jobs.  Look for attributes such as leadership and negotiation skills, detail orientation, mediation and conflict resolution skills or analytical and problem solving abilities. Praise these talents and help your child investigate careers that would utilize them.

3) When you assign responsibilities around the house, draw parallels between how your child executes them and how that skill could be valued in the workplace.  For example, if your son or daughter never forgets to take out the trash, praise her reliability, punctuality and teamwork. If your son never forgets to feed the dog, applaud his maturity, sense of responsibility, compassion and nurturing.

4) Instigate lively discussions with friends and family about the jobs they’ve had in their lives, their dreams, aspirations, successes and challenges. Encourage kids’ curiosity about what people do for a living and how they ended up in the job they have. Talk about the educational or vocational training that was required.

5)Recognize and reward behaviors that will develop into strong, marketable skills such as honesty, accountability, accuracy, punctuality and teamwork. They not only develop a child’s character, they prepare them for becoming a respected employee or employer.

6)Engage kids in lively discussions about their futures; ask questions about what they like to do most at school, after school or with friends. Help them connect-the-dots between their interests and jobs that would incorporate those interests. Spend time together exploring options. Go on field trips, to the library, to neighborhood career fairs and corporate open houses. Visit college campuses and vocational training centers and ask questions about what people do for a living, what skills they needed to develop, who will hire them and what they will do on the job every day.

7) Add a new dimension to vacations and family outings by discussing the people behind the activities, events and exhibits you enjoy. Talk about who keeps our national parks safe and beautiful; who keeps the ocean and marine life healthy and vital; what professionals coordinate a museum or art exhibit. Delve into the backgrounds of the people who keep our world working smoothly and safely and who innovate new and better ideas that continually improve our standard of living.
Help your kids develop an appreciation and awareness of all the professionals who affect their lives on a daily basis, from the people who build our roads to the waste management employees who collect and recycle waste to the farmer, food distributors and grocers who get food to the market shelves. Explore behind-the-scenes teamwork and all the jobs and talents involved.

9) Help your kids develop strong interpersonal communication skills. Don’t let them focus only on computer, phone or text messaging skills. Help them learn how to verbalize their ideas and rationales concisely and to present them to others. The fear of speaking in public is one of the most common afflictions shared by adults. Help your child grow up at ease and confident in front of others. It will be a huge boost to their education, career and social success.

10) Help your kids develop a good work ethic by setting a good example. Do what you say you’re going to do, live up to your responsibilities, be a team player and give 100% on the job–especially the job of preparing your kids for the future.

 Don’t let your kids grow up thinking that ‘work’ is one of the bad four-letter words! Help them realize the great satisfaction that comes from helping others, doing a job well and reaping the rewards that will allow them to enjoy their lives as sought-after, respected and valued members of the workforce.

What are soft skills? In the employment world, they refer to skills professionals use throughout their career lives to help them: get and keep jobs (and maybe even promotions); perform job responsibilities successfully; move ever forward toward career goals; and, refrain from stapling bosses, colleagues and clients to their chairs when the going gets tough on the job!

In other words, they are the life skills that help all of us — albeit some better than others — navigate through a crowded world with confidence, grace and the respect of others.

When is it too soon to start helping kids develop and understand the importance of soft skills? Never.

Just stay age appropriate and recognize when a wonderful trait shows up in everyday life.

(A side benefit of this practice is that you will be strengthening your soft and mentoring skills along the way.)

Here are some soft skills frequently referenced by HR professionals and some ideas for making them relevant to kids.

1. Strong Work Ethic

“You have been working on that history project all weekend and your effort really shows. I’m proud of your focus and commitment to doing a good job.”

2. Positive Attitude

“I know you’re very disappointed that we can’t afford that new video game right now.  I really appreciate and admire how maturely you’re reacting to our family budgeting situation.”  

3. Good Communication Skills

“When I ask ‘how was school today,’ I’d really appreciate more than a mumbled ‘ok.’ Please share something special you did or learned. I really enjoy how you describe things.”

4. Time Management Abilities

“You haven’t been late for the bus once this week, and you made your bed every morning. Bravo!”

5. Problem-Solving Skills

“Figuring out how to fix your grandmother’s computer took a lot of patience and resourcefulness. I’m really proud of you.”

6. Acting as a Team Player

“I saw you pitch in to help the coach put away the equipment without being asked after practice. I’m sure he really appreciated that.”

7. Self-Confidence

“You are so good at ____________. Every time I see you do that, I’m in awe of how easily it comes to you. You are very talented.’

8. Ability to Accept and Learn From Criticism

“It’s hard for anyone to hear negative feedback, but you seem to be learning to keep it in perspective. I know you realize it’s meant to be helpful, not hurtful. That’s something I need to work on myself.”

9. Flexibility/Adaptability

“I appreciate how flexible you were with your plans today. I hated to ask you to baby-sit a little longer, but it helped me with my job. You’re such a help to the family!”

10. Working Well Under Pressure

“You had exams all week and yet you never once were in a bad mood with any of us. I wish you’d teach me how to calm and focused when I have a lot going on.”

Soft skills aren’t hard to learn or teach. Sometimes taking the time to acknowledge them is. Hmmmm…maybe that’s another skill to add to the list!

Have you heard about sewing’s revival as a popular hobby? And how the marriage of a time-honored craft and high-technology is attracting a new generation of seamstresses?

It’s pretty cool.

Thanks to fashion-showcasing television shows like “Project Runway,” and the burgeoning number of clothing designer sites and blogs, a new generation is discovering the fun, creativity and savings that can be enjoyed by making their own clothes.

Big retailers like Wal-mart have reported that they are going to start carrying more cut fabrics, buttons, zippers and other notions again, in response to customer demand.

Sewing machine manufacturers have not only kept up with the times, they’ve lead the way by introducing new features that make sewing easier and more creative.

Some of the latest machines come equipped with USB ports, high resolution touch screens, and automatic threading and decorative stitching capabilities.  New software digitizes embroidery designs, transferring images from laptops to sewing machines.

Smartphone app developers are getting in on the trend too.  One new app helps seamstresses find the thread they need. You upload a photo of your fabric to search through 15,000 commercially available threads for the perfect match.

This revival in sewing and crafting is creating big, lively communities of seamstresses and crafters who enjoy sharing what they’ve learned, discovered or made. The website WeAllSew.com, offering links to blogs and Twitter, reports 95,000 visits since its launch two years ago.

And group sewing events have become very popular-combining the recession-prompted trend towards home and hearth activities, intergenerational bonding and cost-savings resourcefulness.  The Singer Sewing Machine Company hosted 800 sewing parties across the country on Mothers’ Day this year. They had experienced seamstresses host and teach guests how to use their machines.  
 

Sewing isn’t just for girls either. If boys are skeptical, have them look up the careers of iconic males in the fashion industry like Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Michael Kors, Ozwald, Boateng, Michael Bastian and others.

What kinds of summer jobs and/or careers can a love of sewing lead to? Here’s a start:

• Sewing Consultant/Instructor (computer skills a plus!)
• Blogger (Build a community or help market someone else’s products)
• Youth Group Sewing Instructor (After-School Programs & Camps are starting!)
• Tailor/Seamstress/Clothing Repair Expert (work from home over the summer)
• Quilter (specialize in personalized graduation, new home, baby & wedding gifts)
• Fashion Directors
• Clothing Designer
• Salesperson/Demonstrator (tell a local store you’ll bring in younger customers)
• Pattern Makers
• Software Engineers
• Sewing Party Coordinator (Offer to teach the computer functions)
• Fabric Designer
• Quilt Instructor (Teach a group of young kids in your neighborhood for working parents)
• Computer Consultant (Help older sewers learn new computerized functions)
• Phone App Developer (Team up with computer savvy buddies)
• Accessories Designer

Sew, it makes one think about summer jobs and long-term careers, doesn’t it?

This should also remind adults that  a skill that will serve kids well throughout their lives  is the ability to connect-the-dots between interesting news reports, popular trends and their own interests. It can lead to fascinating career exploration and rewarding employment. 
 

CareerWise publishes creative kids-to-career resources for use at home, in the classroom or in youth mentoring programs. Career transitioning adults enjoy them too! www.GetCareerWise.com