Few things are as gratifying as capitalizing on our individual strengths and interests. Research shows that this focus inevitably leads to a more productive and fulfilling career. We all want that for ourselves. As a student, it is an exciting time of exploration—and what parent wouldn’t want that for their children?
Enter IMC as experts in career strategy, with a process that speaks directly to students while keeping parents’ important role top of mind . . .
- Just as IMC considers itself a partner on this journey, remember that it is equally a collaboration between students and parents/guardians.
- After all, as teens, you obviously will want to explore . . . and your parents will want to help support you.
- And, as parents, you naturally will want your kids to be successful . . . and your kids will want to take the lead on their own career future and have the opportunity to share their excitement with you. Side note: For parents who may be struggling to accept their children’s career decisions, consider this quick-read: Support Your Children’s Journey to the Right Career for Them - Nov 29, 2018.
The Positives . . .
We can help students and teens:
- Identify, reflect, and analyze interests and strengths
- Encourage you to be responsible and accountable by guiding your research and providing structure to support a sound career future
- Offer tips and techniques on managing what’s next to minimize any anxiety or overwhelm you may have about your future
- Help you understand how to incorporate this useful process as part of your life
The Products . . .
- The Careering book : TheCareeringBook.com
- The Careering course : CareeringforYouth.com
- The Careering report and Careering options with details.
Or browse all Careering products and free resources.
Did You Know . . .?
Research shows the positive benefits and impacts of addressing Careering needs for youths and students as early as middle or high school.
According to America’s Promise, career exploration helps teens “connect the dots’ between school and career in ways that keep them motivated to graduate with the skills they will need for the future.”
- Career exploration experiences and opportunities can improve academic performance.
- Career exploration opportunities improve the attitudes of young people about their career possibilities, motivating them to persevere.
- Career exploration improves students’ knowledge of career options, encouraging them to develop, and work toward goals during the critical years when they are also beginning to venture beyond the orbit of their parents.
- With a better understanding of the working world, young people can more easily envision how they fit successfully into that world.
- Knowing the preparation they will need for specific careers, participants also become better able to set realistic goals for themselves and pursue them.
- Students who are involved in career exploration are more likely to plan their high school courses of study carefully to gain the skills they will need.
- Students participating in career exploration programs as middle-schoolers are more likely to enroll in higher level math courses in high school and have higher self-esteem.
[Source: https://www.americaspromise.org/why-career-exploration-matters]
What’s more, according to the National Association of Colleges, and Employers, “research supporting the positive role that experiential learning plays in the career outcomes of college graduates has prompted institutions to consider the internship as an important curricular option.”
- Despite the controversy over the value of paid versus unpaid internships, recent studies have indicated that students graduating with internship experiences, in general, are more likely than students without those experiences to find employment upon graduation (Callanan & Benzing, 2004; D’Abate, 2010; Gault, Redington & Schlager, 2000; Knouse, Tanner, & Harris, 1999; Knouse & Fontenot, 2008).
- Adding to the research, Look Sharp’s 2016 State of Millennial Hiring Report indicates that graduates who complete three or more internships are more likely to secure full-time employment, with 81.1% of graduates reporting that the internships helped them shift their career directions either significantly (34.8%) or slightly (46.3%) by changing the focus of classes or majors.
- Further, Knouse & Fontenot (2008) found that, in addition to having employment opportunities evolve directly from their internship sites upon graduation, interns have enhanced employability after successfully completing their internships even prior to graduation.
[Sources: NACE Journal, May 2017; and https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/internships/intern-to-full-time-hire-conversion-returning-vs-nonreturning-interns/]
Customer Reviews & Client Testimonials
Here’s what students, parents, and corporate decision-makers are saying . . .
“As a parent and a teacher, I think Careering is a fabulous resource. It’s a clear, easy to follow plan that will be a useful guide for students, parents, and teachers alike. I have often struggled to guide students with respect to careers – from their perspective rather than my own – but this book is so very helpful in clearing that muddle! Wherever they are in their journey, and whether they want to jump to certain parts of the book or work through it from beginning to end, they will benefit from the clear outline (and reminders to jot down their thoughts). My favorite part of the book was the comprehensive nature of it. I like that Tamara Raymond presents options and ideas that I would not have thought of myself. Thank you for putting it all in one place!” - Customer for Amazon
“I am 22 years old. As a fairly recent grad, it’s been rather difficult adjusting to the real world—time management, no more procrastination, budgeting, real responsibilities… who knew it would be so hard?? After graduation, I went directly into my family chiropractic business doing marketing. Long story short, I was very unhappy with my job and felt trapped with no idea of how to get out and had no clue what I was even good at. I felt lost until I met Tamara.
"Tamara came into my life at the most perfect time. I was truly at my breaking point, and she eased every single one of my nerves. As I was ranting to her about my personal/work life, she reassured me that I was not crazy for feeling this way. Sometimes you just need someone to remind you that you’re human, and life isn’t supposed to work out in your favor all the time. The Birkman assessment was AMAZING, and my results had me grinning ear to ear. I went into the assessment with uncertainty and came out feeling refreshed. As she went through my results, she spoke and formatted it in a way that I could comfortably and accurately understand. At one point, I had stopped her and said, ‘I feel like you know me better than me!!’
"I would 100% recommend Tamara to others because she is so relatable and has helped me in ways I cannot even put into words. She is a bright mind, a soothing voice, a witty storyteller and an all-around amazing human being. I can happily say my career path is soon to change, and my confidence is at an all-time high. I cannot wait for what the future has in store—all thanks to Tamara and the Birkman!” − Teresa, Recent College Graduate, Gaithersburg, MD
“You can tell [Tamara] truly cares. I could have used this kind of care and guidance 30+ years ago! Not sure how my children will engage with it, but the workbook looks more doable than just a book, and if they even do part of what’s suggested I think they’ll be ahead in life. At least we can give them tools and encouragement, right?” - Jay F. Rowland
