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Original poster

AIBU to ask how parents prepare older teens for work?

104 replies

SaveYourself1 · 18/09/2026 19:57

Parents of older teenagers/young adults, how much are you actually doing to help prepare them for work?

I keep seeing parents on LinkedIn trying to help recently graduated children find jobs, alongside all the stories about fewer graduate roles, huge numbers of applications and AI changing entry-level work. Every other day there’s an article once about the jobs market…

For those with children around 16–21, I’m curious how you’re preparing (if at all)?!?!

The grad market seems to be changing so quickly.

OP posts:
Passaggressfedup · 19/09/2026 10:44

Eldest wanted to work from the age of 14. She started at 15 washing dishes in a care home. Moved to being a healthcare worker after getting her healthcare certificate. Became a football coach too. Went to Uni, worked in a supermarket during that time and now has a great job in medical research.

Second child much less enthusiastic. Told him that he HAD TO get a summer job after his GCSE. Said the only thing he'd do is stack shelves in supermarket. Made him apply to a local advert, got the job. Stayed in the job (doing much more than stacking!) thought out his A levels and then Uni. He now has a good job in Finance.

PurpleCardigan47 · 19/09/2026 00:31

My sister knew someone in retail who got me a Christmas Temp Job interview - I was kept on at 16. I then got work experience at college in a childcare setting and got offered a position there. So realistically I got a small helping hand and then I did the rest of the work myself. So I wouldn’t really say I got prepared

Gateappreciation · 19/09/2026 00:20

Guide dc in gp how to find a job, where to look etc.

Read over cv’s and suggest changes, additions etc.

Read over cover letters and application forms and suggest additions and changes.

Encourage dc to get a ‘lower’ job to gain experience (and money). Doesn’t have to be in chosen career.

Excel - got my dc to do an online course on excel so they are proficient in this which we paid for. One of the best things we did.

ToniBlair · 19/09/2026 00:18

Not at all. I told my DC to get volunteering, get a Saturday job, baby sitting, pet sitting and stick with whatever they could. If they can prove team work, reliability, adaptability, customer service, commitment etc etc then they are in a good space already.
Duke of Edinburgh award is good for this if you can’t find employment. My eldest DC is about to do a vocational masters in a topic directly related to their D of E volunteering.

Edited to add: neither me nor their DF had any ability to help professionally.