Reaching Your Job and Career Goals
Reaching your career goals and even landing your dream job are definitely attainable for young parents. It might take a little more time and planning, but there are steps you can take, and resources available, to help you get there.
Figure Out Your Interests and Skills
Whether you are in school thinking about your dream career or are ready to start working right away, a great first step is to think about your interests and skills. Once you have some ideas (or if you need help figuring them out), talk to a counselor at your school or a professional at a job center in your area. Professionals at career centers are trained to help you find career options that match your interests and skills. They can help you develop important skills such as email etiquette or interview preparation, and they can share opportunities for you to develop technical skills needed for certain jobs. There are thousands of job centers across the country that offer these services for free.
Find a Mentor
It can be very helpful to connect with people who can support you in reaching your goals. A mentor can be someone working in a field you’re interested in, or someone further along in a career who has gained practical knowledge along the way. Mentors can be anyone you trust, such as a teacher, professor, counselor, or supervisor. Also, share your goals with family and friends you can count on – both professional and emotional support are important for helping you reach your career goals. Mentors can support you by:
- Providing you with guidance in a field that interests you.
- Connecting you to opportunities or other people with similar interests.
- Helping you prepare for jobs by reviewing your resume and helping your practice for interviews.
- Encouraging you to do to your best, especially when it gets hard.
Consider Internships and Job Shadowing
Internships are short-term-paid or unpaid positions where you can get experience in a career that interests you to see if it is a good fit. Internships can connect you with potential mentors and can sometimes lead to job offers. Another option for learning about careers is job shadowing – you follow around a professional (whose career interests you) for a few days or hours while she or he carries out regular responsibilities. Your school counselor or local job center can help you find these types of opportunities.
Conduct a Job Search
Patience is key when you are job searching because it can take a while. If possible, start your job search early. There are many resources available for your job search such as personal connections or listservs through career centers and online websites. Job centers can also help.
Tips for Balancing Work and Family
Working on your career goals while raising a child can be challenging. Work-life balance is different for everyone, but with a little planning and patience you will find something that works. Here are some tips:
- Set short-term and long-term goals for your career, family, and personal life. Write them down somewhere to keep track of what you have accomplished.
- Create childcare back-up plans in case something unexpected happens. Ask family members or friends you trust if they can provide childcare in times of need.
- Get organized by preparing yourself and your child the night before. For instance, prep lunches and pack your child’s items for childcare or school. Create calendars, to-do lists, and reminders to make sure you remember to pay bills on time, make it to appointments, and complete necessary tasks.
- Plan family activities to make sure you get quality time with your child. This can include feeding them before work or playing together at the end of the day.
- Leave work at work, if possible. For instance, avoid checking work emails at home and instead spend that time interacting with your family.
- Practice self-care with activities that help you relax. This can be something as simple as a nap, getting a little exercise, or setting aside a few minutes each day just for yourself.
- Be proud of yourself, and don’t give up on pursuing your goals (but, it is okay to take a break if you need it). Remind yourself every day why you go to work and how your job and future career will benefit you and your family.
Helpful Resources
Self-assessments: To learn about career options that might match your interests and skills, take an online self-assessment. Local job centers: There are over 2,000 jobs centers across the country that provide free help to look for work. They offer resume help, career counseling, job search workshops, free computer access, and more. Childcare resources: All states have childcare resources, and some offer childcare financial assistance. This website has links to local childcare providers, as well as information about available assistance.
