Parents, whether your teen will admit it or not, you play an important role in his or her career path. You’ve had the unique opportunity to watch your son or daughter grow and change. Take a moment to reflect on their natural-born traits:
- If he prefers group projects over standardized tests…
- If she prioritizes physical fitness…
- If he has a knack for math…
- If she loves technology…
- If he is curious…
- If she is a problem solver…
- If he’s motivated to earn, rather than take on debt…
- If she enjoys leading a team…
Construction may be the best path for your teen.
But how can you inspire your teen to take the construction industry path, especially when most of their peers are opting for a traditional four-year degree?
Connect with them as an individual.
For your daughters:
Construction offers a truly empowering opportunity unlike any other industry.
Right now, the majority of the industry is mostly men, with women only making up about 10% of the workforce, but it is more welcoming to women than ever before. One of the clearest indicators is the competitive pay. As you probably already know, the wage gap is an important issue in today’s workforce. Across all U.S. industries, women earn about 81% of what men make. But, in construction, that number jumps up to 99%! If your daughter has the skills, she will earn the best pay she deserves.
For your success-driven children:
Construction will inspire your teen to be the best they can be.
Our society has made four-year degrees solely synonymous with success. But, if you look closely, skilled trades hold the most opportunity. This is in large part due to the labor shortage and high earning potential. We are in need of trained professionals to fill the gap in the construction industry, while other industries are flooded with far too many over-qualified individuals.
Take psychology for example. It’s in the top 5 most popular college majors, but only has a median starting salary of just $42,313. More people with psychology degrees are applying for a small amount of open positions. This leaves many working outside of their field of study or greatly underemployed. In fact, according to The Wall Street Journal, 43% of college graduates are underemployed in their first job.
On the other hand, an HVAC Technician can expect to make $44,100 on average doing what they were trained to do. This kind of rewarding success is what will encourage your teen to take his or her own path, rather than follow the crowd.
For your teen who wants to make a difference:
Construction offers a chance to leave a legacy that matters.
A recent report by Forbes found that nearly half of all Gen Z wants to work for a company that makes a positive difference. What better place to make an impact than in an industry that literally builds our communities? No matter if they’re building a stadium, an apartment complex or an office building, skilled tradesmen and women build the very places that we live and work.
Not only would your teen have the opportunity to create their community in a career in construction, they would be given the chance to rebuild in times of need. Highly trained construction workers are critical when it comes to disaster relief. From power lines to damaged streets, they are the first responders that restore communities after the biggest storms. It’s this kind of work that trumps unfulfilling office jobs.
No matter your son or daughter’s skills or interests, there is a place for him or her in the industry. But, fair warning: as you share these impressive facts with your son or daughter, don’t be surprised if your teen isn’t too keen on discussing his or her future. To get the most out of your conversation, remember to:
- Listen first and foremost.
Give advice only when it’s requested to find out what he or she really wants. Though it’s much easier to share story after story from your own experiences, it’s best to let him or her come to you. Giving unsolicited advice will be anything but reassuring, and if anything, overwhelming.
- Support, rather than direct.
It’s often easier for anyone on the outside looking in to see the answer clearly. But, it’s important to let your teen make up his or her own mind to hone those critical decision-making skills, solidify dreams and boost pride. It will pay off in your teen’s career long-term.
- Give direction with attainable goals.
Help your teen get started with tangible tasks. Break down the biggest to do’s with weekly action steps. This could be as simple as researching career options on our website, contacting local businesses or meeting with prospective training centers or trade schools.
Still looking for more? Head to our website to learn more.
