Careers advice system 'failing kids'

BRISBANE. July 1. KAZINFORM Confused schoolchildren are falling victim to a "patchy'' careers advice system which inflates their expectations only to have them dashed 10 years later.

Spoiled for choice and told by their parents they can be and do anything, new research has revealed a yawning gap between school children's dreams and economic reality.

The National Centre for Vocational Education and Research study of over 2000 kids found while many planned to be lawyers, psychologists, designers and vets at age 15, when interviewed again at 25 the majority ended up sales assistants, primary school teachers and retail managers.

An estimated 60 per cent of students would aspire to positions that only 20 per cent attain.

Psychologist and RMIT Professor Helen McGrath has blamed a mollycoddling culture from parents.

"Parents need to focus more on giving their children some realistic feedback about what their strengths are rather than giving that message of `you can do anything you want if you set your mind to it','' she said.

"You simply can't do everything, and the end result is that you fall flat on your face when you realise that even if you work hard you're not getting anywhere.

"Parents are always worried about bolstering their children's self-esteem thinking that it is the driver of everything. Doing that makes things worse in most cases.''

The 10-year study also found aspiring accountants have the firmest grip on reality.

Of the 2.9 per cent of 15 year olds who said they wanted to be bean counters, 2.2 per cent ended up fulfilling their dream.

Career Development Association of Australia vice-president Dr Peter McIlveen said parents and educators must encourage kids to aim high but not aim for the impossible.

"It's vital that out kids dream big but also make those dream realistic through good guidance,'' he said.
"If you have a look at the career development practitioners who are members of the CDAA, they also have other tasks. They may be the school counsellor as well as the careers practitioner.

"OECD research done back in the early 2000s found Australia's career development services for kids in school is patchy.
"Some kids get a terrific service, some get very little and the rest are in between.''

Dr McIlveen estimates there is one careers counsellor for every 1500 school students and that there needs to be a reduction in that ratio to 1:1000.

He added that with many school careers counsellors' time divided between careers advice as well as personal and clinical counselling, many young people can end up heading in the wrong direction.

MOST POPULAR JOB ASPIRATIONS AT AGE 15
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education and Research
Computing support technicians
Legal professionals
Designers and illustrators
Psychologists
Police officers
Accountants
Veterinarians
Journalists and related professionals
Motor mechanics
Primary school teachers
Registered nurses
Actors, dancers and related professionals
School teachers - not further defined
Architects and landscape architects
Secondary school teachers
Other building and engineering professionals
Chefs
Computing professionals
Childcare workers

JOB AT AGE 25
Sales assistants (general)
Primary school teachers
Retail managers
Registered nurses
Secondary school teachers
Child carers
Accountants
ICT support technicians
Contract, program and project administrator
Office managers
Police
General clerks
Electricians
Cafe and restaurant managers
Call or contact centre workers
Solicitors
Plumbers
Advertising and marketing professionals
Carpenters and joiners

JOBS MOST UNATTAINABLE
Designers and illustrators
Psychologists
Vets
Journalists
Actors, dancers and related professionals
Architects and landscape architects

Source: www.news.com.au