Get Started

I'll show you how.
 

Find Advice

Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength. ~Eric Hoffer

Let's Play Nice

We’re glad you’re here, and we want to know what you have to say. This is your community, but please remember that there are kids and great-aunts out here, too. Look out for each other. Whatever you post, make sure it helps, encourages, and gives back to the community. For details about our content policy, click here.

 

Get Advice

 
previous previous  |  all  |  next next

My son is in 6th grade. Should he have an idea of what he wants to be when he grows up?

He is a good student and a well rounded kid. He has a lot of interests but doesn't ever have a thought about college or what he wants to do. I'm not pressuring...I'm just wondering.

Question applies to ages: 11

reportReport

Rate Advice (3)

avatarElizabeth.Johns
# of Thumbs Up Received (76)		 To a sixth grader, college is a million years away. I know very few 11 year olds who truly know what they want to be when they grow up, and that's a good thing. They should have middle school and high school to explore and begin to test the waters in a variety of areas and narrow down their interests. It's good that your son is well rounded and has lots of interests. That gives him many more options and a wider scope for exploration.

That said, many school districts are beginning to introduce the concept of career exploration as early as fifth or sixth grade. In my kids' district, the schools use a web site called Career Cruising, where students can take aptitude tests and find out what careers are available in the areas in which they are strong. Then they can learn more about them. They keep using the program all the way through high school, refining their interests and perhaps even choosing classes that will bring them closer to their goals.

When I was in sixth grade, I wanted to be an interpreter for the United Nations. I even took two foreign languages in high school. But I fell in love with writing, majored in journalism in college, and became a writer. My seventh grade son either wants to be an environmental scientist or someone who designs roller coasters (not exactly a booming career field). On the other hand, when my oldest son was in sixth grade, his class wrote letters to their future selves, which they opened last year when they were high school seniors. In his letter, my son wrote that he wanted to be a computer technician. As a freshman in college, he is majoring in computer information systems and wants to be a software developer. So, I guess some kids know and others don't.

But I wouldn't worry about it. Just expose him to lots of experiences so he can begin to think about the many options open to him.

References:
mom of four, who all want to be something different when they grow up
Was this helpful?    thumb up  |  thumb down
reportReport
avatarLizInHolt
# of Thumbs Up Received (77)		 Sixth grade is too early to know what you want to be when you grow up, but you can still start dreaming. Incite those dreams by playing, "What if you were a teacher when you grow up? what do you think that would be like?" Or any other profession. Especially since your son is a good student, he'll start gravitating towards certain areas of interest soon, and they'll help him figure out what he wants to study in college someday. A lot of kids start college without being totally sure of what they want to do when they graduate so don't worry yet!
Was this helpful?    thumb up  |  thumb down
reportReport
avatarnhannahs
# of Thumbs Up Received (0)		 I think that any child should have a idea of what they want to be when they grow up. They might change their minds many times, but let him explore the possibilities of what her wants. I have two step-daughters and one wants to be a marinebiologist and also an archiologist at the same time. We just tell her that she needs good grades in school and that she will be in college a long time to do what she wants with her life. Let your son imagine what he wants to be and be supportive.
Was this helpful?    thumb up  |  thumb down
reportReport

EduGuide does not evaluate or guarantee the accuracy of any EduGuide Advice content. Click here for the Full Disclaimer. Help us improve EduGude Advice. Tell us what you think.

McAfee Secure sites help keep you safe from identity theft, credit card fraud, spyware, spam, viruses and online scams
Parents |  Students |  Professionals |  Our Cause |  Site Map |  Contact Us
Website Development by Web Ascender
Privacy Policy |  Terms of Use | © 2008 EduGuide