Importance of Self-Esteem
Before considering the results of any aptitude and career tests your child may have undergone in school, it is worthwhile being aware of how your child's self-esteem may influence their answers.
Self-esteem is an important factor in the psychological health of us all. Self-esteem is a measure of how a person values and believes in themselves, for example, whether they believe they are worth something to themselves or others. If a child doesn't believe in their own importance, they aren't likley to be performing anywhere near their capacity. As a result, any tests and exploration they do can only reflect their own lack of belief in themselves, and will hardly provide a solid ground from which to build a career plan.
So before continuing, try and get a measure of your child's self-esteem. The following table is a guide only, but may alert you to issues that need to be considered as part of your parenting around career matters.
| High Self-Esteem | Low Self-Esteem |
| is proud of his or her accomplishments in life | avoids situations which require risk taking |
| can act independently | feels powerless |
| assumes responsibility | becomes easily frustrated |
| can tolerate frustrations | is overly-sensitive |
| approaches challenges with enthusiasm | always needs reassurance |
| feels capable of taking charge of situations in his or her own life | is easily influenced by others |
| has a good sense of humor | frequently uses the phrases "I don’t know" and "I don’t care" |
| can postpone gratification | is withdrawn |
| seeks help when needed | blames others for his or her failures |
| is confident and resourceful | is isolated and has few friends |
| is active and energetic | is uncooperative and angry |
| is able to spontaneously express his or her feelings | is uncommunicative |
| is relaxed and able to manage stress | is clingy and dependent |
| has a generally positive attitude about life | has a generally negative attitude about life |
If your child is described more by the items in the High Self-Esteem column, then exploring career and college options is likely to be productive, and any tests they may have done are likely to provide some useful information.
If your child is described more by the items in the Low Self-Esteem column, then your child may not be quite ready to be planning their future just yet.
