"What do you want to be when you grow up?" Many teens dread this question and can only respond with a predictable "I dunno."

Although most teens seem to avoid spending a lot of time with their parents, they still do, according to research, heed parents' views when it comes to making career decisions. In fact, parents have more than twice as much influence on their teens as teens' peers when it comes to making decisions about education, money and careers.

Teens need to be aware of the changing facets of the world of work so they can prepare for the challenges ahead. Changes include economic globalization, a decline in industrial and manufacturing occupations and a rapid development of technology and skill demands. Students need to become good communicators as full-time jobs are "right-sized" or "rationalized." Rather than finding "a job," people will "do work" part-time, full-time or on a contract, for themselves or in partnerships.

Given these revolutionary changes and the unpredictability of careers, there are several ways in which you can advise and support your teens. Parents should start this process when children are quite young but it is never too late. You will simply need to work faster.

1. Talk to your children about work—your work, other people's work: be positive, informative, interested. Tell them what you do and how it's done, why you like it and what goals and ambitions you have.
2. Take your children to work with you, let them explore, experiment and ask questions. Allow them opportunities to meet and talk to other adults.
3. Talk about some of the intangibles that are part of work: the responsibilities related to doing your best, not quitting, helping others and taking pride in your work.
4. Encourage entrepreneurship: Any number of projects can become entrepreneurial experiences: shovelling snow, cutting grass, or having a newspaper route. Explore the important work values that emerge such as keeping your word, being punctual and reliable, managing time, resources and money, working first and getting paid later. Young people today must anticipate taking charge of their own careers.

As your teen approaches the decision-making stage, parents should try changing hats—take off your parenting hat and put on your consultant's hat. As a consultant, you and your client can approach the career planning process more as equals. This often reduces the friction and arguments that arise when parents claim to know best, and allow their dreams to interfere with their children's realities and aspirations.

In your role as consultant consider doing the following:

1. Discuss your teen's natural abilities—their people skills, their handiness with tools, their facility with numbers and creative flair.
2. Explore skills that they can transfer from one work situation to another—good communication skills, the ability to organize, plan, follow instructions, lead others, problem solve and find information.
3. Ask about their attitudes toward work. Why would they want to work, apart from earning money? What other needs would they satisfy by going to work? Check their values. Are pride, dependability, high standards, cooperation and accomplishment important to them?
4. Offer them a chance to dream. Many teens dream of becoming rock stars and millionaires. Dreams are a starting point for possibilities. How do successful people achieve success?
5. Help your children pinpoint their major interests as these may become the basis for an appropriate career.

Gaining experience and developing work skills is a crucial part of making a career decision. How can your teens gain this experience?

1. Summer jobs and part-time work are extremely valuable.
2. Volunteering is an excellent way to learn skills, gain understanding of specific careers and develop a sound network of contacts.
3. Job shadowing gives teens opportunities to observe and experience hands-on aspects of potential careers.