Planning for the future is not something you do once. It's an ongoing process. Career planning has three steps that your child will cycle through and repeat throughout his or her working life.

By following the steps below, young people can make informed career decisions. As a parent, you can help them explore their options and discover what it will take to reach their goals.

The Three Steps in the Career Planning Process

• Be receptive to and listen when your child wants to discuss career and/or college plans.

• Have your child explore career and college options and collect as much information as possible.

• Encourage them to capture their ideas on paper. One idea is to create a scrapbook of their plans for career and college.

• Be aware of various deadlines for applications to colleges and financial aid. Put them on a calendar that both you and your child can look at.

• Suggest that your child meet with a school counselor at least once a year, beginning in the 10th grade, to learn more about college and career planning.

• Be supportive of your child, and meet with their counselor if you sense that he or she needs additional help.

• Encourage your child by helping them see the connection between college and career. Emphasize the importance of selecting a major that helps them prepare for a career.

• If your child is undecided about a career direction, do not try to fix it. Let them look into all the possibilities.