How can young people begin to formulate a vocational identity and develop career maturity?
Parents and the education system should start helping children in elementary school to develop curiosity and gain basic information about the world of work. After all, most individuals spend well over forty years working in jobs, careers (one or several) or in a life-long profession. Formal and informal education and curiosity about various jobs and careers should be encouraged from an early start and build as a child matures. Career maturity is important in the life-long process of career development. Youngsters should be encouraged to seek out career information. Part time jobs, educational experiences, being exposed to (and being curious about) the various kinds of work people do all go into, forming the foundation for youngsters and young people to eventually form a vocational identity. This identity gives the individual direction in the world of work. The broader the scope of awareness and information in all of these areas, the more adaptable the person will be in this rapidly cha
