Resources

The Harvard University Graduate School of Education released its research from the two-year study “Pathways to Prosperity Project” in September of 2010.

Here are a few highlights of the Project’s conclusions: 

• The current U.S. education system is failing to prepare millions of young adults for successful careers by providing a one-size-fits-all approach, and it should take a cue from its European counterparts by offering greater emphasis on occupational instruction.
   
• Based on their research, the Harvard study notes that too much emphasis is placed in high school on going on to a four-year college. Yet only 30 percent of young adults in the United States successfully complete a bachelor's degree.
   
• The number of jobs that require no post-secondary education have declined, researchers note.  Only one-third of the jobs created in the coming years are expected to need a bachelor's degree or higher. Roughly the same amount will need just an associate's degree or an occupational credential.

For more conclusions from the Pathways to Prosperity Project, do an Internet search.  Try these search words:Pathways to Prosperity Project at the Harvard University Graduate School of Education

This resource is for parents, teachers, school counselors, career practitioners and young adults who might need personal coaching due to AD/HD issues. 

Personal recommendations from me are quite rare.  I must be able see a career practitioner in action in order to recommend them.  Since Robin and I have collaborated and taught together for nearly ten years, I've had plenty of time to observe her with colleagues and clients. 

Robin is located in the Boston area, for those who want to meet with her in person.  Phone coaching is also available. Robin specializes in providing AD/HD career coaching.  She works with teens and young adults to help them identify their talents and skills.  She also helps her AD/AD clients develop time management, organizational and decision-making skills. Robin helps her clients articulate and find where in the world of work they can find fulfillment and joy.

If you or your teen is struggling with making a career choice due to AD/HD issues, call Robin!  The world of work is full of successful people with AD/HD who once were struggling too.  The academic environment of most schools has these bright and talented young people labeled as "different and difficult."  Being pegged as different in a world where peers seek not to be devalues students sense of worth. When one feels, "not good enough" it's hard to make career decisions. 

You can learn more about Robin and her work at:  http://www.youthleadershipcareers.com/

Be sure to view her video titled, "Why A Career Coach for You?"

How you can help...

Parents, teachers and other concerned adults can do much to help adolescents or young adults find work or create their own job.  Here are some suggestions:  

• Help teens identify their strongest skills.  Review with them a few stories about how they’ve used those skills.  With your student's skills, what local jobs could they do? What businesses could they launch that wouldn't take much start up capital?

• Help teens create a resume, skills summary, personal profile, website or blog that shows their skills. Help your teen think up who they might contact for personal or work references.

• Set expectations for summer accomplishments and behavior.