Making the (Right) Subject Choice

By Sasha Valente 

​We live in a very competitive world where the wrong decisions could hinder us a great deal. Influx of people means an influx of poverty and the creation of a vicious circle that becomes so difficult to avoid, and although every human is beautifully unique with their own talents and skills it becomes even more difficult to pursue our dreams and talents due to the demands and pressures of today.

As parents, how does one guide their child in the correct career direction, allowing their child to reach their full potential and knock the boundaries of the path that would create a flourishing future for them?

It all starts in Grade 9, by picking the right subjects; this will create a path for the future. Therefore let’s look at tips on how to choose the best suited subjects.

Tip #1

Speak to the teachers. They are the ones who spend most of the time with your child and generally know your child’s strengths and their potential. Look at your child’s previous marks, down to class tests and exams. This will give you an overall idea on what your child enjoys, understands and has a skill for. Most schools these days have a school counsellor on site who is someone who had a wealth of experience when assisting your child make the best possible decision.

Tip #2

Your child needs to be happy. Remember that if a subject is too easy they can get lazy and if a subject is to demanding they may become despondent. There needs to be a happy medium. Ask them what they see themselves doing in the future. Let’s have open conversations with our teens. One can answer questions like if their child will be an astrophysicist or a teacher. This isn’t the time for hard choices; this is the time of happy path creation. One will know that realistically their child won’t need to be doing core maths if they aren’t going to be an astrophysicist.

Tip #3

There are extraordinary tools now and professionals that are able to assist your child. Career counsellors are there to provide career counselling utilising a scientific method, otherwise known as psychometric assessments. This form of testing is able to tap into the most incredible aspects of a human being. Like, what motivates them, what they truly enjoy, and then their skills and cognitive functioning.

If you are unsure, rather get an opinion from a trained professional such as an Educational Psychologist or Psychometrist. You want to offer your children options with direction. At the age of fourteen or fifteen, they don’t have to know what career path they want to embark on for certain – but at least after choosing suitable subjects, they will have the basis of pursuing a career which is the best fit for them after Matric.
For more information on the career counselling Holistan offers, click here.