By Boluwatife Akinola
Parents have been advised to guide their children in their career choices rather than enforcing careers on them.
The advice was given at the Leadership and Mentorship Program organized for secondary school students in Ondo State by Young Lead.
Some students at the event lamented how their parents enforced career choices on them.
The programme facilitator, Mr. Dotun Ojon, stressed the importance of parental guidance rather than imposition regarding student career decisions.
He emphasized that parents should support and guide their children in exploring various career options, allowing them the freedom to make informed choices aligned with their interests and strengths.
Also, a facilitator and leadership expert, Mr. Saheed Ibrahim, emphasized the necessity of reorienting schools, parents, and students in career selection.
He mentioned that in the current age, parents should not focus their children’s mindsets on becoming doctors, lawyers, and engineers only, as there are other reputable professions, especially in the tech industry.
Ibrahim urged parents to act as mentors, offering guidance and support without imposing their career aspirations on their children.
However, he highlighted the dominance of technology in today’s world and enlightened students to align their thinking with technological innovations.
The mentorship sessions also aimed at empowering students, and discussions on parental influence in career choices echoed throughout the event.
It is believed that in ten years, not fewer than 10,000 students will have received leadership and mentorship training across secondary schools in Ondo State.
Teachers and students who spoke at the flag-off program expressed satisfaction and prayed for the continuity of the program.
