CAREER CLINIC
MUNTHANA THAMIKITKUL
Dear Khun Munthana, I am a single, working mother who divorced five years ago. I have a daughter who is 12 years old. And, naturally as a mother, I would like her to have a rewarding career. What can I be doing now to help her succeed and become a star after graduation?
Sipang
Dear Khun Sipang
I appreciate your concerns for your daughter's future career - this is a big issue for many, many parents. I believe that children should be allowed to develop free of parental and peer pressure and determine their own particular professional niche in life.
However, within that development parents should certainly make a positive contribution. There is no right or wrong way to go about this but what I can share with you are the common denominators that I come across regularly when interviewing young star candidates, common denominators that generally lead to career success:
Academic background
Successful candidates usually graduate from reputable private and government-run universities. They also generally hold a master's degree, often from an overseas university or through the international program of a good local university. Key educational fields still tend to be accounting and finance. Other successful fields depend on the country's prevalent macro economic climate.
Language/communications skills
The ability to communicate effectively in English is a must-have quality these days. In addition, abilities in other languages are starting show an advantage, particularly Chinese, French, Spanish and Japanese. In some countries, the Netherlands for example, students are encouraged to learn as many as five non-native languages. Follow the Dutch example and try to foster a liking for languages in your daughter.
Life skills
Out-off-school activities often influence roles in a future working environment. Extra-curricular skills are more and more valued by employers these days because at the very least they indicate an enquiring mind and a can-do attitude. You should have your girl pick activities she likes; Thai music and dance, piano, art, sports etc.
School smart
You should encourage your daughter to join school activities. This will help build her confidence, develop her understanding of teamwork and improve her organisational skills.
Happy home
Spend as much time as you can doing mother and daughter activities together. In fact, I view this as a very important point because time spent with your daughter will help to shape her personality. You can influence this development in so many positive ways, to the extent that your daughter is more likely to grow into the successful woman you would like her to be. Being comfortable together will make talking honestly and openly about your daughter's career goals an easy and constructive (even enjoyable) shared experience.
The above are some pointers to general action you can take now to help your daughter's future. Of course, I realise that personal finances and time constraints are serious issues impacting just how much a parent can do - as is the child's own goals and aspirations. But pay attention to what your daughter enjoys doing and encourage her in those things she's good at. Your roles are to support her as she grows, to always be there when she needs you. I truly believe you would like to see your daughter secure in life and naturally you would like to plan her career for her. However, it is her career we are talking about and ultimately your daughter's happiness will be your happiness. With love, support and the right examples to follow I'm confident she will be a great star in the future.
Munthana Thamlikitkul is chief executive officer and managing director at Tricor Outsourcing (Thailand) and Tricor Executive Recruitment. She was formerly a partner in the executive recruitment business at Pricewaterhouse Coopers.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Next
