School’s
finished – now what?
Even though most teens can’t wait
to finish school, many may find themselves at a loose end now that the holidays
are over and schools have re-opened – especially if they have decided to take a
gap-year but can’t find a job, if they haven’t made study-plans or don’t
qualify for college or university.
Understandably parents get
frustrated when their teens mooch around the house, watch TV, hang out with
their friends and eat. Days become weeks become months and demotivation and
depression sets in when their friends find jobs – or when jobs become scarcer
and nastier.
Every year, thousands of
matriculants leave school and look for work. The current unemployment rate in
South Africa is a daunting 27.7%. School-leavers who don’t have experience,
skills or teachableness could be facing a bleak and jobless future.
The school curriculum, ambitious
teachers and protective parents doesn’t always prepare teens for the harsh
realities of the REAL world out there! School-leavers walk a tightrope between
school and the unknown, not sure where they’re heading! Until now they've
pretty much taken life for granted. Their "long walk to freedom" has
just begun!
Top tips for teens:
- Have the courage of your convictions. If you want to travel, go overseas, work on a ship or become a chef, make a plan to follow your dreams
- Take your school-blinkers off and think out of the box. Do things differently – be bold and brave when looking for a job, and be prepared to start in the basement (I started by emptying bed-pans!)
- Read, read, read. Motivational books, stories, articles. Make lists. Plan and stick to these plans
- Be prepared to ask questions. This does not make you stupid – it makes you smart
- Network with people you know already working in the industry you’re interested in
- Start afresh. Turn over a new leaf. Be different to the way you were when you were in school
- Ask older folk (even grandparents) for advice. Ask them: ‘What would you do if you were in my shoes?’
There are gaps in the job market – you
just have to show that you’ve got what it takes for the job. Getting a foot in
the door means eating humble-pie and doing voluntary work in return for
training and a small stipend to cover living costs. Getting into the industry
of your choice can begin by sweeping floors, filing or making tea. Gaining experience
comes with hard work. Use mentors like Mark Shuttleworth, Tokyo Sexwale and
Cyril Ramaphosa.
Success can begin with baking
muffins, sewing on grandma’s old singer or working from your neighbour’s
garage.
Tips for parents:
- Don’t nag!
- Encourage your teen to focus on their talents and passions
- Let your teen make the calls and call the shots
- Start local – scan community newspapers and notice boards for job opportunities
- Make use of NGO’s offering free basic training workshops
- If teens WFF (work for free) it gives them the chance to make contacts with the right people
- Encourage creative ideas: e.g. collecting yesterday’s fashion from the wealthy-trendy-upper crust and resell it (washed and ironed) or recycling old computers
- Waitressing – this can be lucrative but shouldn’t be seen as permanent.
You’ll hear ‘Nah!’ to these
suggestions but set a dead-line and tell your teen that you have plan B in mind
e.g. volunteer him/her to WFF as a teacher’s assistant, on a family farm, grocery
store or B&B.
Don’t break their spirit! Don’t keep
saying “I told you”. Listen to your teen. If their idea sounds crazy, keep your
lips sealed. Once a teen has made up their mind there’s no stopping them – even
if it’s only to prove you wrong!
With their matric certificate,
teens can apply to go to college/ university/trade-school/au-pairing when
applications for 2019 open later in the year. In the meantime, they WILL
mature, get their drivers licence, open a savings account, become responsible
and gain confidence!
