The easy way to get your teen talking about their future

Feb 3, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Jul 22

Are you struggling to get your teenager to talk about what they want to do after GCSE or sixth form? It can be tricky to get teens to talk about anything, especially what they want to do next. However, it’s important they think about their future, what they might like to achieve, and what they need to do now to get themselves on the right track.

How do I get my teenager to start talking?

To help you, we’ve created a board game that saves you worrying about which questions to ask. You can play too! By playing the game together you create a two-way conversation, with them finding out more about you as well as you finding out more about them.

This helps avoid feelings of confrontation, because the focus isn’t solely on your child. It covers lots of different areas that are important when considering next options, such as their strengths, what interests them outside the school curriculum, what type of person they are, how they’ve changed over the past few years, what they’d like to do better, what brings them joy, and their thoughts on fame. Playing the game several months apart lets you assess how your child has changed and developed.

Download it here if your child is taking GCSEs, or here if they’re in sixth form.

How do I get my teenager to start talking?

Ten great tips to keep the conversation going

1. Accept their idea of success may be different from yours

Their dreams and ambitions might not align with your dreams and ambitions for them. This can be disappointing, but let them walk their own path.

2. It’s OK if they don’t know what career they’d like to follow

They don’t need to make that decision right now; it’s possible the job they end up doing doesn’t even exist yet. They do need to develop skills that will help them progress, and that should be their focus.

3. Try not to make the decisions for them

They have more options than you did at their age, whether that’s in taking qualifications, where to study or what job to train for. Your guidance is valuable, but the decision is theirs to make.

4. Encourage them to turn passions into money-makers

They’re more likely to be successful at something they enjoy, and if they develop an entrepreneurial spirit early on, it will stand them in good stead moving forwards. It will also give them plenty to discuss during interviews. Blogging, vlogging, creating YouTube channels, online courses and becoming an influencer are all possible options.

5. Help them navigate their limitations

If their heartfelt desire is to become a vet because they want to work with animals, but they don’t have the academic gift to study medicine and go to veterinary college, what other jobs can they do to fulfil their ambition while playing to their strengths?

Be creative. In this example, opportunities might include becoming an animal behaviour trainer, aquarist, dog walker, pet behaviourist, RSPCA inspector, safari park or zoo manager, or taking a role with an animal charity. Some of these jobs may require a degree (but not necessarily in sciences); others may need a different route such as an apprenticeship or traineeship. Not being academic shouldn’t be a barrier to success, and there’s usually more than one way to reach a destination.

6. Give them permission to explore careers that interest them, rather than you

This is especially relevant if you have a family tradition of everyone going into the same field of work, or if you own a family business.

7. They might know what they want to do, but not how to get there

Help them plan out a route that focuses on their strengths. School leaver programmes, traineeships, apprenticeships and higher education options can often provide entry points into the same industry.