How a Teen Can Choose a Career: Psychologist’s Advice for Teens, Parents, and Mentors

Who do I want to be? What do I love doing? How can I earn money and still live a happy life?

At some point, every teenager asks these questions. Honestly, most adults do too.

Today we’re talking with Rita, a psychologist at the Chance for Change Foundation, who works with teens every day. She helps them uncover their strengths, understand what truly drives them, and take their first real steps toward building a meaningful career.

Together, we’ll explore some of the most common questions:

– how a teen can choose a career;

– how to understand a child’s natural abilities;

– and how parents can support this journey instead of creating pressure.

Why is it so hard for teenagers to decide who they want to be?

Adolescence is a period of active personal development. Teens are exploring their identity, their future, and their own desires. Expecting a “final decision” from them is unrealistic — not because they’re unserious, but because they’re still discovering themselves.

“The teenage brain is still developing — especially the prefrontal cortex, which controls planning and decision-making. That’s why teens often make choices emotionally rather than logically. It’s normal. What they really need are supportive adults who let them explore and experiment.”— Rita, Psychologist at “Chance for Change”

External pressure makes things even harder. Society and parents often push for “safe” or “respectable” careers, even when they don’t match a teen’s talents or interests.

Research by OECD (PISA 2022) shows that 39% of 15-year-olds have no clear idea of their future career. Many also lack access to real-life experiences — job fairs, mentoring, or shadowing professionals — so professions remain abstract concepts rather than something tangible.

In a fast-changing world where new jobs appear every year, the real goal isn’t to find “the one perfect career,” but to stay curious, adaptable, and emotionally balanced — because only in a calm state can you truly hear yourself and make decisions that fit you.

How to support a teen in finding their path?

How to support a teen in finding their path

If you’re a parent, mentor, or adult who cares — let’s be honest: no one ever taught us how to do this.We were never taught how to listen without judging, how to talk about dreams, or how to support a teen’s self-discovery. So it’s normal that it feels hard.

The most important thing is to create a space where a teen isn’t afraid to make mistakes.

Imagine your child says: “I want to be a tennis player.”

Your mind immediately starts calculating the odds — how few succeed, how hard it is, what the risks are. That’s okay. That’s the adult brain doing its job.

But if instead of skepticism you respond with genuine curiosity —

“Wow, that’s interesting! Tell me more!” — your child will hear the message: “It’s safe to dream.”

“Being happy is just as important as being successful.” — Rita, Psychologist at “Chance for Change”

It’s not easy. Adults carry stress, responsibilities, and fears about the future.

But if you can let go of control just a bit, and approach the situation not with fear (“What if they make the wrong choice?”) but with trust, the teen will open up more easily — and often, their courage will inspire you in return.

Top 5 mistakes adults make when supporting teens

1. Comparing them to others “Look, Alex already has a plan.” Result: feelings of inferiority, leading to imposter syndrome later in life.

2. Dismissing their dreams “That’s not serious,” “You can’t make money doing that.” Result: the child learns to fear their own desires and later chooses “safe” instead of “meaningful.”

3. Not listening sincerely You’re just making things up,” “That’s silly.” Result: the teen shuts down. But when we listen — even to “crazy” ideas — we open doors to deeper conversations about real interests.

4. Projecting our own fears “You should become a doctor — it’s stable.” Result: the teen ends up living someone else’s life, often burning out early.

5. Focusing only on results “The main thing is to get into university.” Result: fear of failure. Yet mistakes are what teach flexibility and self-awareness.
   

How to understand a teen’s abilities

Many teens say: “I’m not good at anything.”But that’s rarely true — it usually means they just don’t see their strengths yet.

Even spending hours on social media can reveal potential interest in marketing, design, or communications.

Ask your teen:– What do you enjoy doing in your free time?– When do you feel like “I’m doing great”?– What kind of videos do you watch most on TikTok or YouTube?

A teen’s interests change — music today, sports tomorrow, art next week. That’s okay. Through those experiments, they discover what truly resonates.

These conversations won’t give instant answers, but they spark a process of self-discovery and professional awareness.

“Career choice isn’t only about practicality. When a teen sees meaning in what they love, that passion can become their strength. The adult’s job is to help connect passion with opportunity.”— Rita

We stand with teenagers

At “Chance for Change”, we see it every day: teens who come withdrawn and unsure of themselves open up through creativity, trust, and an environment without judgment.They start believing in their dreams — and that’s where transformation begins.

And that’s why we do what we do.

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Together, we give teens what they need most — a real chance to change their lives and feel they are not alone.