Start a conversation about your teen's interests and strengths. Utilize online career assessment tools to discover potential career fields that align with their passions. This is a great opportunity for transparency—share your own experiences and imperfections, making it clear that it’s okay to explore and change paths.

Together, research colleges that offer programs related to your teen's interests. Create a list of schools and their unique offerings. Encourage your teen to take the lead in finding information to foster autonomy and ownership of their education.

Find local college fairs and attend them together. Engage with representatives and ask questions about programs, campus life, and admissions. This hands-on experience will help your teen gain confidence in communicating and networking.

Identify professionals in fields of interest and arrange shadowing opportunities. This allows your teen to observe daily tasks and responsibilities in various careers, providing a real-world perspective.

Help your teen reach out to professionals for informational interviews. They can ask about career paths, educational requirements, and daily work life. Role-play these conversations at home to build confidence.

Work together to establish a timeline for college applications, including deadlines for tests, essays, and applications. This structured approach can reduce stress and build a sense of accomplishment as each step is completed.

Find a workshop or class related to your teen's interest, such as coding, public speaking, or art. Participate together to enhance skills while also enjoying the learning experience.

Create a system to celebrate small achievements along the way, such as completing a college application or finishing a book on career exploration. This could be a special dinner or a fun outing. Recognizing these milestones reinforces progress.