«If you've never learnt to solve problems, you'll have trouble choosing a career»

Mrs von Holzen, for many people their career choice coincides with puberty. What effect does that have?

A lot happens during this developmental phase: young people break away from their parents and develop their own identity. At the same time, a complete remodelling of the brain takes place, thousands of synapses are deleted and new ones are formed. Young people therefore have a lack of self-control and are impulsive. Psychological difficulties can also arise more easily.

How does the relationship between young people and their parents change during this time?

Before, the parents defined the rules and the child had to abide by them. With teenagers, they have to negotiate a lot more. However, parents must continue to set guidelines within which their children are allowed to move. If the parents themselves struggle with detachment, become overprotective or want to control a lot, it becomes difficult for both sides. The same applies if the father and mother give their child too much responsibility by saying: You can decide for yourself, you're growing up now. Too much responsibility overwhelms young people.

Do you have an explanation for why parents are still seen as so important by the children during this phase of detachment?

The family provides stability at a time when everything has become unstable. Parents who support their children in word and deed and have the patience to accompany them in their development are enormously valuable.

However, their peers are also important reference persons for young people.

Yes, but they have no work experience. Even in adolescence, children learn from the model of their parents. How did they do it? Did they know what they wanted? Did they do a gap year? If the relationship with the parents is good, the parents are also more important than all other adult reference persons such as teachers or career counsellors.

Choosing an apprenticeship and looking for an apprenticeship involves being constantly assessed. What consequences does this have for young people?

What's more, many young people already compare themselves with each other a lot anyway. For the confident ones with good grades, this is not a problem because they fulfil the requirements. For the others, however, it is difficult, especially when they keep getting rejections.

Some people are not yet ready to choose a career. How do you notice that?

For many children, this becomes apparent very early on, for example when parents have to accompany them to kindergarten for a long time or when they repeat a class. Readiness for a career choice is reflected in how young people approach the subject. There are big differences. There are always young people who start an apprenticeship under pressure and after a few months have constant stomach pains or another problem for which there is no medical explanation. This can be a sign that they are not yet ready for the change from school to an apprenticeship, which is a major developmental step. This is very difficult for parents to accept. Sometimes a tenth school year is enough, sometimes they need even longer.

Interest is a sign of willingness to tackle the career choice?

Personally, I think it's a great gift when young people are interested in a wide variety of things. Unfortunately, many of them have very limited interests. Under these circumstances, it is difficult to find out which profession to choose.

How can parents support their children during this phase?

This begins in early childhood. Parents who go through life with an open mind awaken their children's interest in new and unfamiliar things. When it comes to choosing a career, I hope that parents will discuss with their children what professions there are, what a boat builder or chef does. You can discuss this in everyday family life.

Why do many young people manage to choose a career without any major problems and others find it so difficult?

This is a question of self-confidence and resources. Some are shy or downright fearful, not daring to speak to adults or call a company. Parents can practise with their children how to make business calls and what to talk about with adults. What we also observe is that young people who have never learnt how to solve problems because their parents have always done it for them often find it difficult to choose a career. This is why parents should refuse to allow their children to delegate tasks to them during the career choice period at the latest. They should support them in doing it themselves. This is the only way for children to learn what they need to be able to do to succeed in the world of work.

Literature tips

Daniel Jungo: Parents' guide to choosing a career
Daniel Jungo has been active in career counselling for over two decades and is the author or co-author of numerous books on the subject of career choice. The «Parents' guide to choosing a career» contains many practical tips for all those who accompany and support children and young people in choosing a career. The book also provides a lot of background information, for example on the social significance of work and Switzerland's vocational training system.
Self-published by Daniel Jungo(www.danieljungo.ch) 2020, 180 pages, 24 Fr.

Reinhard and Simon Schmid: Career choice as a family project
Reinhard Schmid began to involve the family in career choices in the 1970s. In 1987, he founded the S&B Institute for Career and Life Structuring. This publishes various teaching materials and specialised books on the institute's main areas of work. «Career Choice as a Family Project» is a workbook that accompanies parents during their child's career choice process. They are encouraged to think along with open and multiple-choice questions. «Career Choice as a Family Project» is particularly useful if the child is using Reinhard Schmid's «Career Choice Portfolio» teaching aid at school. S&B concept 2018, 36 pages, 12 Fr.

Young people talk:

• «I do something new every day»
  Pedro Lopes, 19, from Luterbach SO, is a plumber in his third year of training. He has very specific ideas for his professional future.
• «There's still a lot to learn»
  Marc Roth, 17, from Oberhelfenschwil SG, wants to become a farrier and later run his own business.
• «My parents are very proud of me»
  Farzana Ahmadi, 26, from Umiken AG, is an EBA health and social care assistant. She misses her home country of Iran and says that the people in the care home help her to feel less alone.
• «I was only allowed to measure once and had to concentrate very hard»
  Anouk Zaugg, 16, from Brugg AG, completed a taster apprenticeship as a structural draughtswoman. And is happy to be able to do an apprenticeship in her dream job after receiving a positive decision.
• «I explain to customers what is allowed - and what is not»
  Daniel Wiederkehr, 26, from Rotkreuz ZG, now works as a security technician. Not everything went smoothly during his training.
• «I like dismantling large objects»
  Bianca Jöhr, 16, from Worb BE, is a first-year apprentice recyclist. She initially wanted to be a hairdresser.
• «I had a difficult time, and not just because I couldn't find an apprenticeship»
  Colin Spilek, 16, from Nufenen GR, is a vocational school pupil and is doing really well. The search for an apprenticeship coincided with his coming out as transgender - not an easy time.