Calling all parents of 14-25year olds

[Cheffie100]

So I'm doing the whole SAHM thing but my brain is itching to do something and I'm determined to start my own business that still allows me to be there for the kids especially in school holidays.

I would like to sound you guys out about me starting my own career coaching business for 14-25 year olds. I feel very passionate about helping young people with CV writing, interview techniques, approaching employers, career planning etc. I appreciate they get some support in schools but now funding has been cut I believe it's pretty basic.

Do you think this is a service people would pay for? I would look to charge £30 an hour and would tailor the service to the individual. It would be my intention to help motivate them and help them discover their career path / job and set them a plan as to what they need to do to get there and what skills they need to develop. Would you pay for something like this for your child? Any thoughts most welcome. Thanks

I would pay for a service like that. You are right, schools are so stretched nowadays that they often simply don't have the time or resource to do this well or at all. Both DH and I are professionals, line managers, uni-educated etc etc so theoretically capable of doing this ourselves with our DC. However, we work so often see our children when they are not receptive to learning this kind of thing and, even more crucially, as with many things they will listen and learn far better from relative strangers than from their parents whom they see as "nagging", not teaching.

Still - I agree it's not always easy to do yourself. I'm more than capable of giving DS any advice he needs to follow whatever path he decides on, as is DH. But the problem is he doesn't seem to be interested in anything work wise and I don't want to push him towards something which isn't right for him (we've been down that route as DH encouraged him to sign up for a course which he said he wanted to do but then showed no interest in). He's really got to work it out for himself but could just maybe do with some independent advice from someone who could talk to him objectively and who he's not going to agree with because he wants to keep them happy!

I was looking for something like this a few years ago when DS1 had no idea which direction to go in. Fortunately he is now on a happy track.

There is definitely a market for career and education counseling for young people. However, responding to market demand requires a lot of expertise.

I wouldn't be willing to pay a single individual for such coaching and support, as I wouldn't be convinced that their knowledge of different paths/careers was wide enough. In general this is a big issue with careers services: they know about common jobs and careers, but not about specialist paths.

BTW my DC's independent school already uses such a service. There would be competition in this market, and it might be hard for a single individual to break into it.

However, responding to market demand requires a lot of expertise.

I agree with this. Our world is changing so fast and it takes real expertise to keep up with employment trends. Dh was talking about his work's "Social Media Coordinator" and then remarked that even five years ago who the hell would have imagined such a job could exist. And who knows, in five years' time perhaps that job will be obsolete.

I overheard a friend of ds's saying he wanted to be an Air Traffic Controller and another friend sniped, "Good luck with that, it's about to be all computerised."

I also heard a someone on Woman's Hour saying young people must health check their careers. She said a disappointingly large number of girls she speaks to say they want to go into "journalism" or "magazines". She said she asked them, "Do you buy magazines or a newspaper?"

Completely agree with Bobo. Would use such a service but would have high expectations of the knowledge and skills of the person delivering it . For this £30 per hour seems more than reasonable .

You're a SAHP, so what are your actual up to date qualifications to advise young people about careers and the current working world?

As long as they never let the child write "passionate" ( see original post!) . It always turns me off and it doesn't feel like good English. I tell the children to use passionate only in relation to sexual intercourse.

Soooo much passion (well 10th most common...)

The ten most common opening lines used in personal statements during the 2015 UCAS application cycle were:

1. From a young age I have (always) been [interested in/fascinated by]… [1,779]
2. For as long as I can remember I have… [1,451]
3. I am applying for this course because… [1,370]
4. I have always been interested in… [927]
5. Throughout my life I have always enjoyed… [310]
6. Reflecting on my educational experiences… [257]
7. Nursing is a very challenging and demanding [career/profession/course]… [211]
8. Academically, I have always been… [168]
9. I have always wanted to pursue a career in… [160]

10. I have always been passionate about … [160]

You're a SAHP, so what are your actual up to date qualifications to advise young people about careers and the current working world?

Yeah, cos all SAHPs are thicko gym bunnies with possibly a bit of experience of having their nails done. And everyone who goes to work, no matter in what capacity, is an absolute expert on everything and far more worthy of attention.

I haven't worked for years and I'd like to flatter myself that my knowledge of just about everything is greater than many people who toddle off to work every day.

No sorry would not pay that. It's something I can do myself.

RhodaBull I think people who work in one industry can become very focused on that at the natural expense of time spent looking into other pursuits.
So, why should I be using in my caravan; paraffin, propane or butane?
And should we be using pink paraffin in aeroplanes?
Easy peasy questions I'm sure you have a view on.
No Googling now!!

Yeah, cos all SAHPs are thicko gym bunnies

Not at all. But by definition, they are not in the paid work force, and may have been away from it for some time.

Professional careers advisers generally work in groups, share expertise, are in constant contact with employers, and participate in continuous professional development and training. A sole practitioner, and one out of the workforce for at least a couple of years, has none of that.

Indeed, there are verified & quality controlled qualifications for careers advisers (well at my university they have them), and again a SAHP out of the workforce, operating what - something like a home tutor - doesn't come near any of that. And at £30 parents are being asked to pay quite a premium. £30 an hour is a lot for an unqualified enthusiast who isn't currently in the paid workforce!

IME there is very little in the way of quality control among education and careers advisors. Background and qualifications say little about the service they render. The very best do not offer ready made solutions but rather coach people to find out information and take decisions for themselves.

I agree. And frankly the careers advisers I have come across have had two bags of McCain oven chips on each shoulder.

Well, I deal with careers advisors at my HE institution, and they are excellent, very involved with both us as an academic department, and likely employers. Degree-level educated, and in continuous professional development. A lone practitioner, out of the workplace, couldn't do what they do.

DH is the Oxbridge liaison leader at his public (not private!) school. He has years of senior teaching experience and has coached countless kids into careers/ higher ed. He also has a Phd, 3 teens of his own and a lot of real life scientific experience/papers/contacts prior to teaching.

There is no way he would charge £30 an hour!