{"id":1319808,"date":"2020-05-06T23:56:00","date_gmt":"2020-05-07T05:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.postindependent.com\/youthentity-column-kids-careers-how-to-spark-interest-in-jobs-and-opportunities\/"},"modified":"2020-05-06T23:56:00","modified_gmt":"2020-05-07T05:56:00","slug":"youthentity-column-kids-careers-how-to-spark-interest-in-jobs-and-opportunities","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alwaysmountaintime.com\/kske\/local-news\/youthentity-column-kids-careers-how-to-spark-interest-in-jobs-and-opportunities\/","title":{"rendered":"Youthentity column: Kids & careers \u2014 how to spark interest in jobs and opportunities"},"content":{"rendered":"
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We all want the best for our kids. We want them to do well in school, find things they are passionate about, maintain healthy relationships and establish financial independence. We also want them to find careers that will provide stability and a sense of satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Childrens\u2019 exposure to careers is relatively limited in scope. They are aware of the jobs held by their parents and relatives; as well, they are exposed to doctors, teachers, firefighters, public safety and dentists. At Youthentity, we believe that widening kids\u2019 understanding of available opportunities will help them continually narrow their focus as they get older, with the hope that eventually that interest manifests into a part-time job in their field of interest or enrollment into a career exploration program such as our Career Academy program in high school.<\/p>\n

One of the hardest things to do as an adult is not to project our beliefs of what is a \u201csuccessful\u201d career onto kids; instead, allowing them to explore different paths that match their individual interests and strengths.<\/p>\n

Youthentity\u2019s Junior Career Academy program (formerly known as My Career, My Life) gets kids thinking about careers early by introducing them to the paths that are possible. Facilitated in elementary and middle schools, area professionals representing various fields \u2014 cosmetology, biology, architecture, culinary arts, journalism, construction and many more \u2014 show kids what it\u2019s like to be in their industry, talking about their path into the field, including certifications and degrees needed, and then executing a hands-on learning assignment for a \u201cday in the life\u201d perspective so students can understand what the job entails.<\/p>\n

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