Overview
A new podcast series, “Parents as Career Coaches” from HIEC (Halton Industry Education Council) aims to help parents, caregivers and influential adults facilitate illuminating career-centered conversations with the young people in their lives. The first three episodes are housed at hiec.on.ca/pacc and can be found on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music.
Season one of Parents as Career Coaches includes conversations about how the working world is changing and what employers are looking for in new hires, how schools are preparing young people for those expectations, and what parents / caregivers can do to help bridge that gap outside of the classroom.
Episode One: Wisdom from Career Development Superstars:
Three career development experts: Dave Redekopp from Edmonton, Sareena Hopkins from Ottawa, and Tricia Berry from Fredericton speak to the podcast hosts to support parents and guardians to be career coaches and career influencers for their children.
By being supportive, curious, and patient, parents and caregivers can empower their children to make informed and inspired career choices. Career development is a journey, not a one-time decision, and parents can guide their children every step of the way. The experts remind us that no decision is ever fatal, and opportunities for growth and learning are abundant in the ever-changing world of work.
Objectives
- To provide schools with resources to help parents and caregivers be supportive career development allies for their children.
- To provide parents/ caregivers with a rationale for the importance of career development and how they serve as career influencers for their children.
Instructions
It is suggested that schools use Episode One as an introduction to career coaching for parents / caregivers. The podcast provides practical ideas that educators can share and use for parent / caregiver information in-person sessions or as an online resource they could listen to and then hold a small group debrief.
Additionally, the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC) provides programs and services supporting students as they prepare to transition into high school, allowing them to imagine a post-secondary pathway that will set them up for future success. The website includes information about:
- Career and Life Learning
- Apprenticeship Support
- Mentorship
- Workforce Development
- Employer Registry
The HIEC provides a list of excellent resources that educators can use to share with parents / caregivers. View the Parents as Career Coaches Parent Resources HERE
This 4- page collection of resources covers a range of topics relating to parenting teenagers, from communication and understanding brain development, to dealing with specific issues faced by adolescents. Educators can follow the podcast by sharing these resources with parents and caregivers to support them in their learning journey.
Episode Two: Developing Global Competence with Education Expert Andreas Schleicher, who discusses improving quality and equity in education and global competency. This episode is more theoretical than practical but is good information for educators or parents/ caregivers who are interested in going deeper.
Episode Three: Project -Based Learning: A Human Development Method for Deeper Learning with Thom Markham, who discusses finding meaningful and authentic challenges in learning in a human development method. This episode may interest educators wanting to learn more about project-based learning and engaging learners in experiential opportunities that are meaningful to them.
Episode Four: The Montessori Perspective: Igniting Purpose and Agency in Youth with Gavin McCormack. This episode explains a Montessori philosophy of self-discovery and may be interesting for educators who are interested in supporting a sense of purpose and agency in their learners. His perspectives help build understanding for parents / caregivers about the importance of emotional intelligence and soft skills.
Key Highlights
- Episode One is an accessible resource for parents/ caregivers.
- HIEC offers more episodes for those wanting to learn more.
- The HIEC website provides links to resources and an online newsletter.