When I grow up, I want to be... (fill in the blank).

With all the changes taking place in the workforce and global economy, a rising unemployment rate, the escalating cost of education and proliferation of new occupations (like SEO Consultant, you can look it up!), the decisions our children make regarding their careers become more and more critical.

A few relevant questions come to mind:

• How can they make the "right" decision?  Is there such a thing?
• Should they move toward a career that guarantees employment or one that feeds their passions?
• What are their passions?
• If, as the experts say, they will change careers (not just employers) 3 to 5 times in their working life, does it really matter where they start?

Those are all great questions, with no easy answers.  However, your EAP can help.  Dependent children can use your company's EAP to help in their self-discovery of key interests, values and skills, while providing them with resources and information to investigate how their passions can relate to the ever-changing world of work we all inhabit.

Affordable assessment instruments can be used along with EAP sessions to point out what I like to call your child's "Best Stuff" - the areas that naturally draw their innate interests, the activities that are most satisfying and significant to them and the skills that bring them energy and enthusiasm.

Can we answer the "When I grow up..." question for them?  No, nor should we.  But we can provide insights, information and support to assist them in avoiding the trap that the highest percentage of the working world visits every day.

Education
According to www.collegeboard.com the estimated cost of a 4-year college degree can total anywhere from $95,000 to $153,000 - and up.  Do you really want to give them the bumper sticker "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go" for a graduation present?

Making Career Decisions
Developing and taking specific action steps helps students make solid decisions to move ahead in their lives and careers.  We help them:

• Create a practical development plan for personal and career growth.
• Evaluate education and training opportunities.
• Through ongoing consultation, if desired, as the process moves ahead.

Your EAP can help your children in making career decisions and ensuring that work is a satisfying and significant part of life, rather than a drudgery and unpleasant chore that is an inevitable part of growing up.

Barry L. Davis, MS, CTC, MCDP, is the Director of Career Services at LMA Consulting Group / Life Management Associates

Further Reading:
RoadTrip Nation, Marriner, Mike and Gebhard, Nathan, with Gordon, Jeanne, Ballantine Books, 2003.
Finding the Open Road, Marriner, Mike, McAllister, Brian, Gebhard, Nathan, 10Speed Press, 2005.