How "FOBO" is paralyzing our young adults in their career exploration
...and what to do about it (my 3 top tips)
If you're a parent of a young adult, you will know that the job market has changed.
There are new career fields (like "customer experience" and "cyber security") and fields like science have expanded rapidly, as reflected in new role titles such as Care Partner, and Medical Transcriptionist. In the IT field, there are now Blockchain Engineers and Augmented Reality Architects.
The careers on offer have changed
Today's young adults and graduates have MANY more roles to consider, and this gives them SO MANY options! Which is great - well, sort of. Yes they've got more information and great access to information about careers.
BUT
This increased access and the shear volume of information leads to a version of paralysis by analysis that I call "FOBO" - Fear of Better Options.
Young adults are consistently telling me that with all the information available, they are worried about making the WRONG choice on a career path, which often leads them to avoid making ANY decision ("If I DON'T pick a career path, then I CAN'T be wrong - right?).
It's a falsehood, because knowledge is power, and the key is having a process to evaluate all this information and narrow your choices quickly. That way, we keep them moving forward in life, and in control of their decisions (rather than waiting for someone else to make these for them).
How to overcome FOBO
How to help a young adult find a career...
Here's 3 simple steps to take, if your young adult is showing signs of FOBO (for example, they might be avoiding the career conversation, telling you they feel overwhelmed by the information, or expecting others to decide for them):
Remind them that having MORE career options than you did is a good thing, as it gives them a much better chance of finding a career field that aligns with THEIR uniqueness.
Emphasise that the career decision is ultimately THEIR decision (it is their life after all!) but that you are there to partner with them in sifting through the information.
Rather than giving them more and more career options, switch your focus to helping your young adult understand WHO THEY ARE, as better self awareness makes it easier to spot the careers that either excite them or leave them cold.
This is where I can help - using my career exploration tools and approach, which are much different from how schools and parents are doing it. I focus on finding out WHO the young adult is, including their personality, what interests them, what motivates them and what their personal work style is.
Once we know this, the career exploration process is EASY - and based on FACTS, not their feelings or others' opinions.
How to help a young adult find a career...
I'm Tracey Beard, a career coach, expert and strategist with 12+ years experience in working with young adults aged 16-25, across New Zealand, as they explore their career and study options.
Book a free no-sales Discovery Call to talk about your needs, here.
Or message me through this website.
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