Advice About Career Advice: Recent Episodes
Alana Kilmartin
How many young people will face a career crisis before they are 30? This podcast is for parents to help prepare their children for the real world of work. Support them as they tackle the ‘what the heck am I doing with my life’ question.
I’m your host, Alana Kilmartin and I have unravelled my early career journey to help others navigate theirs.
You can connect with me by visiting alanakilmartin.com
I have some very exciting news. My book, Unserious Careers, will be coming out in February 2023. I am building a business alongside it to help young people be less serious and more adventurous with their career.
You can check out my new website and I have joined social media (finally!) so feel free to check that out too (links on the website).
This will be the last episode of Advice About Career Advice for now. I always wanted this show to be a resource that a parent could come to years from now and still find helpful. I may come back to it and add more episodes in the future.
I have a new podcast starting soon called Unserious Careers & Gap Years. Feel free to check it out and recommend to anyone who could benefit from it.
The best email address to contact me on now is: hey@unseriouscareers.com
Thanks so much for listening.
Alana
In this episode I share 2 stories of my parents telling me how proud they are. I discuss what this meant to me and why I want to encourage all parents to share the pride around! I also cover what to do in the not-so-proud moments. And to finish up, I have a chat about how pride can go in reverse: I'm proud of my Mum for dropping the occasional F-bomb after years of a no-swearing household!
Connect with me by emailing hey@unseriouscareers.com
See more of my work at unseriouscareers.com
Stepping into a job or workplace that you would like a future in can be daunting. I cover why the stakes can feel so much higher in your child's first strategic job as opposed to any of their previous jobs. As in the last episode, I discuss the why, when, who, what, where and how so that you can think a few steps ahead of a young person and be prepared for what's coming.
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com
See more of my work at alanakilmartin.com
It's easy to forget how much we learn in our first job. Employment is a whole new world to explore and the best way for a young person to do that is with the support and encouragement of a parent. In this episode I cover the why, when, who, what, where and how of a young person landing their first paid job. In the next episode I will discuss the experience of a child's first strategic job (if you're not sure on the difference between the two, I cover it at the start of this episode).
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com
See more of my work at alanakilmartin.com
It's safe to say most parents only want what's best for their child. But when it comes to careers, there are lots of opinions on what's best.
This episode is to remind you that you're not a bad parent because you're child chose an apprenticeship over university. A young person shouldn't have to choose a certain career because they're worried about disappointing their parents. So take your personal feelings out of it and forget what other people might say or think about your child's career.
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com
See more of my work at alanakilmartin.com
For a kid growing up in the 90s, movies and TV had some of the biggest influence on my ideas about the world. But I had never stopped to think about how these shows and movies shaped my understanding of work. They separated jobs into respected or dead end without me realising it.
In this episode I take a trip down memory lane and explore what I picked up about work from what I watched growing up. And yes, I did want to become lawyer for a time after watching Suits.
I also ask some questions to help you consider the career ideas you and your child might have picked up from movies and TV.
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com
See more of my work at alanakilmartin.com
Burnout is a well-known health concern and many people will experience it at some point in their work lives. There is another form of it though, that I believe commonly occurs in our 20s that we need to discuss. I am going to refer to this as identity burnout. Listen to this episode to learn what identity burnout is, how it differs from regular burnout and how you can notice the signs and symptoms as a parent. It was my Mum who helped me see that I needed to change something when I was going through identity burnout. You have more insight to offer as a parent than you know!
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com
See more of my work at alanakilmartin.com
Skillsroad is an Australian organisation that provides the tools for young people to transition successfully from school to their career. Charlene Vaughan is the incredible woman responsible for heading up their programs. In this episode we discuss: → The many career pathways that Charlene has travelled down to get to where she is. → How her cultural upbringing influenced her career choices. → Her observations around young people not being willing to take risks. → The need for schools and parents to pass on the message that a young person simply needs to try different jobs. → Working hard and whether we need to re-define what that means. → The difference that working in a job you are passionate about can make. → The conversations we need to have with employers on how to be 'youth ready'.
To find out more about Skillsroad, visit their https://skillsroad.com.au/ (website). They have recently released their 2021/22 Employment Survey Report. Download it from their website to find out more about what's going on in the mind of young job-seekers.
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Being paid for the work you do is expected but free drinks after work on a Friday? That's a perk that many young people can get around. So when the young person in your life is weighing up job options, perks can be deal breakers or makers. But how valuable are the perks? That's your job to help the young person decide and in this episode I discuss how. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
In this episode I discuss how a young person's need for variety or change at work can be a brilliant career conversation starter. A job that is highly repetitive and monotonous may not be appealing to your child if they become bored easily. Whereas for another child, a predictable work environment and the ability to become an expert at what they do might be perfect. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
It's easy to get caught up in the career decision vortex as a young person and forgot about the impact it has on everyday life. This is where parents can sit perfectly between career and life advice. In this episode I look at how career advice is ultimately life advice, emphasizing the point that a young person is the one who has to live out their career decisions. I provide some questions that a parent can ask themselves to check if they are truly considering the nuances of their child. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Scott Gilmour is a businessman on a mission. In 2002 he founded the first I Have A Dream programme outside of the US in New Zealand. The programme aims to create generational change by helping young people to achieve academic and life success. In this conversation we cover: → What lead to Scott bringing the programme to NZ. → The important role of the Navigators (role models) in the lives of the Dreamers (young people). → The incredible outcomes that I Have A Dream are seeing and some student success stories. → The effectiveness of working over the long term (15 years). → The role that parents play and the impact that the programme has on the whole community. → How we can tackle the systemic challenges facing young people in New Zealand.
To learn more about I Have A Dream visit their https://ihaveadream.org.nz/ (website here).
Follow https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJAgPF5FNTQ (this link) to access the equal opportunity video we discuss in the episode.
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Interacting with people is a non-negotiable part of many jobs. For some young people, this is great news while for others it sounds like a nightmare. When was the last time you thought about the type of people you would like to work with and work for? In this episode I give insight on how as a parent you can explore the people aspect to work with your children.
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Work can take us anywhere in the world. In this episode I cover the location aspect of work and how it may impact the career decisions that a young person makes. The environment we work in plays a huge role in our life satisfaction. Home or office or building site? City or rural? Beach or desert? Loud and busy or quiet and calm? Exploring the location element to work is a great way to get your child imagining what else is possible. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Michelle Douglas is a storyteller and mentor. She recently released a book called Don't Wear Shoes You Can't Walk In: A Field Guide For Your Twenties. This is a fabulous resource for your child as they make their way in the world. I loved this conversation and it is a wonderfully holistic look at early adulthood. In this conversation we cover: → Michelle's experience of growing up in a household with an artistic influence. → What it was like choosing to move cities and give up her job for a man in her 20s. → How parents can prepare their children for their 20s and all of the firsts that they might experience. → Key lessons from each of the 8 parts of her book. → The silly mistakes we need to make in our 20s more than once. To find Michelle or to purchase a copy of her book please follow these links: https://www.instagram.com/fieldguidefortwenties/ (Instagram) https://www.fieldguidefortwenties.com/ (Don't Wear Shoes You Can't Walk In)
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
This is the first episode where I bring on a young person to share their experiences in the world of work. Sarah Kelsey is a 23 year old Kiwi with ridiculous amounts of wisdom and insight. She has a kick ass podcast called https://www.oneupproject.com/ (The OneUp Project) which is all about financial literacy and personal growth. During out chat we discuss: → Why she left a corporate accounting career, 9 months into her graduate year. → The upsides and downsides of having a guaranteed job out of university. → Why she started The OneUp Project and how it has opened so many doors. → The different beliefs her parents had around university. → The 3 month break she took to create space to make her next career decision. → Her experiences in corporate vs start up culture. → The need for parents to validate a child when they don't know what they want to do. → The exciting adventure that Sarah is about to embark on in Bali.
Find Sarah and The OneUp Project by clicking these links: https://www.oneupproject.com/ (Website) Listen to the podcast on https://open.spotify.com/show/38m2cpo182bhviBCSSHYIx (Spotify) or https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1489884116 (Apple Podcasts) https://www.instagram.com/theoneupproject/ (Instagram)
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
This episode is more of a heart-to-heart. My parents recently visited me in New Zealand and it gave me plenty to reflect on. I can struggle with vulnerability, especially around family. But during this trip I was reminded of much I value my relationship with my parents. Listen in to hear about the things I appreciate about my parents and some reminders on what you can do to build awesome relationships with your children, particularly when they are in their 20s. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Brad Minton is the founder of Mint To Be Career, a career coaching company for young people. He is also a Post Secondary Success Navigator for an educational service agency in Michigan as well as the host of Your Career GPS Podcast. This is a podcast to help teens, high school and college students find their way in the world of work. Brad also happens to be a father of 3. In this episode we discuss: 🡢 How Brad uses his background in mental health and counselling to bring a deeper approach to career coaching. 🡢 How helping a young person to discover their Unique Impact Story can transform the way they make decisions about their future. 🡢 The responsibility of parents to check their career biases. 🡢 How socioeconomic factors affect the exposure a young person has to different careers. 🡢 The change in conversation around a college education. 🡢 The critical (soft) skills that employers are looking for. You can connect with Brad by clicking the below links: https://minttobecareer.com/ (Mint To Be Career Website) https://www.instagram.com/minttobecareer/ (Instagram) https://anchor.fm/yourcareergps (Your Career GPS Podcast) Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
TK Morgan is the founder and visionary of Tuesday at 10:30 - a strategic career and business coaching service. She also has a 9-5 in sales at a large oil and gas company in the US. In this episode we discuss: 🡢 Why the first 8 years of a young person's career are often the hardest but also the most important. 🡢 The benefits of working in corporate and the opportunities that it presents for young people. 🡢 The incredible work that TK does in her career coaching business, Tuesday at 10:30 (and the story behind the name). 🡢 How her corporate job feeds into the passion for her business (and makes her a better coach). 🡢 How to make the most of university. 🡢 The soft skills such as conflict resolution that many young people today are not developing. 🡢 The importance of building authentic connections with the people who you work with. 🡢 Recommendations for parents on how to support the first 8 years of their child's career. You can find TK's work by clicking on the following links: https://www.tuesdayat1030.com/ (Tuesday at 10:30 Website) https://www.instagram.com/tuesdayat1030/ (Instagram) Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
There is a lot of discussion in career education about the future of work, jobs that will be obsolete or the jobs that don't yet exist. But I think there is something more pressing that we need to address - the future of WHY young people will work. In this episode I discuss how 'why' we work dictates our career design. I cover some general themes among Millennials and Gen Z's as well as the need for each young person to discover what work means for themselves. As a heads up - this episode is more of a thought piece to get the brains ticking over. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
In this powerful episode, Steve Shepherd shares his experiences as a parent and as CEO of TwoPointZero, a career coaching and guidance company for young people. This is a brilliant discussion and covers career education from a number of angles. I have included it as part of the Parents' Perspective Series but as Steve is an expert in the field, the episode packs a punch.
We cover a wide variety of topics including: → The struggle that Steve and his family faced as their son battled drug addiction. → How finding meaningful work was the key to his son getting his life on track. → Stories from TwoPointZero's past clients and how coaching has helped them build confidence in their careers. → The message and advice that Steve passes on to parents in workshops. → How young people can connect the dots for potential employers between their past work experience and the job they're applying for.
Find TwoPointZero and Steve's work at https://twopointzero.com.au/ (twopointzero.com.au)
Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
Some people thrive under pressure, others look for any escape. Considering for a job the level of responsibility and accountability as well as the consequences when something goes wrong can be helpful to a young person weighing up job choices. This topic is particularly relevant as someone gains more work experience and is exposed to additional opportunities for development or promotion. Connect with me by emailing hello@alanakilmartin.com See more of my work at https://www.alanakilmartin.com/ (alanakilmartin.com)
This is the first episode in what will be an ongoing series of interviews with parents who are in the thick of navigating the career space with children. I kick things off with a discussion with a lovable and insightful Kiwi called Frank. His teenage daughter has just landed her first job. We chat about what that process has been like and shares a recent milestone in his household - his daughter asking him a computer related question! Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Does your child prefer being outdoors in the sunshine? Do they learn best while using their hands? Do they got bored if they're not mentally stimulated? Listen in to this episode for my take on the importance of considering the physicality vs mental exertion of the work your child is interested in.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
It is a pleasure to welcome Soma Ghosh to the podcast.
Soma is a Careers Adviser and Podcaster based in the UK.
In this episode we discuss: → The systemic challenges facing the career education space. → The need to act smarter when it comes to the delivery of advise to students. → The importance of parents in the decision making process. → Portfolio Careers - what they are and how they are becoming more common. → How to have better career conversations with your children. → What to look for if you are considering hiring a private Careers Adviser or Coach for your child.
You can find Soma and her work by following the links below: Website - https://www.somaghosh.com/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/soma-ghosh-26086638/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the_careerhappinessmentor/ Twitter - https://twitter.com/sgcareers27 The Career Happiness Podcast – https://open.spotify.com/show/536VSCYGO0mFQxDofZFVQz
The TED talk mentioned in the episode can be found here: https://www.ted.com/talks/emilie_wapnick_why_some_of_us_don_t_have_one_true_calling
Connect with me via alanakilmartin.com
Not everyone is cut out for shift work, 5am starts or 12 hour work days. By looking at the likely start time, hours of work and weekly schedules, we can create a more complete picture of a job that a young person may be considering. As a parent, you are perfectly positioned to fill in the time gaps and help them see how the work will fit in with their current or ideal lifestyle.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Any job can be fun for a day but what is that job going to feel like after a week? A month? A year? This episode is an introduction for my series on the components of a job that as a young person, are often not considered, or are overlooked. I will cover everything from the hours of work to the physicality of a job to the distance travelled for work.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
This is my take on the well-known saying 'It's not what you know, it's who you know'. I share some stories about how young people have got their foot in the door in unsuspecting and creative ways through people they know. My hope is that these can be shared with the young people in your life to serve as inspiration for when it feels like they can't catch a break.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
It's time to question why we take careers so seriously in school and our 20s. Is the outcome of school to get a job? Do we eventually have to get a 'serious job' if we've been playing around for a few years? Learn how removing the pressure around careers for a young person can lead to more enjoyment.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
It's easy to feel like life is a never-ending game that you just can't seem to win. Comparison as a 20-something year old is common but that doesn't mean it is a good thing. In this episode I talk about how the competitiveness and comparison that is built in to school is setting the wrong expectations for young people. I discuss what parents can do to help and how being selective about the people I hang out with has helped me tune in to what I actually want.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Taking a gap year can be an incredible opportunity for a young person to try something different, develop new skills, see the world or simply, take a break. I cover some common fears about gap years, ideas for how to spend the time and alterative options to the traditional gap year. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
It can seem like there is a constant time pressure to make career decisions before we are even ready. This is even more relevant for a young person. In this episode I share my thoughts on how the best thing a child can sometimes do is delay a decision and experience life instead. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Siblings come in many shapes and forms (or not at all for the only children out there). If you haven't properly considered how the sibling dynamics in your family are affecting career decisions this episode will be a fantastic guide. I cover the factors at play and encourage all parents to get older siblings on their side!
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
What do you do when, as parents, you have different thoughts, opinions and experiences of work and careers to each other? I wanted to share some reminders about how mixed messages from parents can play out in a young person's career decisions. I also provide some tips on how to create an environment in which your child feels heard and supported. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Money, money, money, let's have a real talk about money. This will be the first of many episodes on money because let's be honest, it impacts the career decisions for the majority of young people. I am kicking off with the question - 'How is your child going to fund the first 5 years?' I look at the funds that your child may need, sources of funds, making money decisions and I finish up by discussing how I funded my first 5 years after school.
You can connect with me at alankilmartin.com
Teenage break ups and career advice don't often get spoken about in the same conversation. Yet it is life events like these and others such as the passing of a loved one, unexpected pregnancy and illness that stop a young person in their tracks. In this episode I shed light on the impact of these events. I discuss the role parents can play in connecting the career dots for their children as they ride the emotional rollercoaster. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
It might seem like a simple question but when was the last time you really thought about the meaning of work? Before we make career decisions, it is helpful to think about what work actually is and the role we would like it to play in our lives. In this episode, I give 7 questions to ask your self about work and 7 questions to ask your child. These are designed to spark thought and conversation, there are no right or wrong answers!
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
The lines of responsibility have been blurred between parents and schools when it comes to the future of young people. In this episode I dive into what career advisors and counsellors are up against. I then cover some steps we can take to transform the career advice space in schools. These steps will benefit everyone - young people, parents and school staff alike.
Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Ever feel like there a million things that you need to be doing or getting right as a parent? This episode sheds light on the challenges of being a parent trying to help your child with career advice. I explain why it is normal to feel overwhelmed and provide examples of how to lighten your load. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Are parents the best people to be giving career advice to young people? How do you give good career advice? It's a tricky topic and in this episode I cover what career advice should be. I also discuss the best things as a parent that you can give your children when it comes to careers: information and inspiration. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com
Welcome to the first episode of Advice About Career Advice. This is a get-to-know-the-host episode and it is the best place to start. You will hear about my story and why I am passionate about helping parents to set their children up for a great work experience. Connect with me at alanakilmartin.com