The teen years are when many people get their first jobs and recognize the power of the dollar. Exposing your child to different careers can help him or her to make sound choices during the formative teen years. Your teen can learn about a wide variety of career choices.
Attend a Career Fair
Many high schools, colleges, community colleges and workforce development organizations sponsor career fairs. At a career fair, your teenager can speak with managers and employees in various fields of expertise. For example, a college career fair might have people who work as statisticians, biologists, lawyers, doctors and medical researchers. A community college career fair might include people working as plumbers, electricians, mechanics and licensed practical nurses.
Start a Band
Starting a band is something that begins to interest many teens as they grow. For children to be successful in this regard, they need to know the details of the music industry. Essentials, like song copyrights, are worth discussing with your teen. Teaching your teen how to copyright a song is something most parents probably don’t talk about with their kids. To copyright a song, you are responsible for first making sure that it is not similar to any other copyrighted material. You must then complete the necessary copyright application paperwork. Many people prefer to have a lawyer do this, but it is not required. The U.S. copyright office may take six months or longer to issue your copyright.
Legal Protection for Your Band
To trademark your band name, first make sure that no other business has already trademarked it. Next, determine the geographic scope of the trademark. Trademarks are available on a state by state or national basis. After teaching your teen about song copyrights, learning how to trademark a band name is the next step. You then need to register your trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. If you think you might travel internationally with your band, it is a good idea to file for a trademark with the United States Customs and Border Protection Service.
Talk to People
Make it a point to talk to people who work in different types of jobs. When you are at the grocery store, talk to the store manager about that career. When visiting the mechanic, post office and bank, ask those workers about their education and jobs. When a plumber or electrician comes for a home repair, have your teen talk to them. If your teenager is interested in a specific career, such as becoming a cardiologist, reach out and see if you can make a connection and meet someone who is one.
Allowing your kids to meet people in a variety of careers can be eye-opening. Your teen might not have realized that it takes 12 years of education and training to become a rocket scientist or brain surgeon. Providing this information now allows your kids to make good choices for their future careers.