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Help! Every time I try to talk to my teenager about what they are going to do next we fall out - What can I do?

Perhaps they think that you are nagging. Back off for a while and then watch for another opportunity to start talking about their future.

We've got some ideas about how you can help support your child.

Where can I get independent and professional help about careers?

The free careers service, Connexions. There's a local office near you and every secondary school has a Connexions advisor. Learn Direct can also help.

What's wrong with universities, don't they do vocational courses?

There's nothing wrong with them and many run excellent vocational courses, but we believe that university is only one of the routes. Many young people are more suited to a work-based vocational route - and it's not a second best option.

Aren't vocational courses just an easy option for people who are not clever enough to do academic qualifications?

No. They can be just as demanding, in some cases more so. What one person finds difficult another person finds easy. It is about matching a person's abilities to a route which suits them and valuing every course equally.

My child's school seems interested only in students doing academic courses. What should I do?

The first step is to talk to the head teacher about your concerns. Also, contact your local Connexions service and Learn Direct who will be able to help.

My child is 24, has a university degree, but can only get a job working behind a bar. Is it too late to change tack?

It certainly is not too late - part of the problem may be that they don't know what to do. First try talking to them about what they would like to do and help them create their own route. Also suggest that they talk to the local Connexions service, Learn Direct or use one of the many private careers advice services which can be found easily on the internet. They will charge, but they may be able to offer more detailed advice.

If there's something that you'd like to know, we'll try our best to help. We may not be able to answer every query, but we'd like to hear from you and we may be able to refer you to places to find further assistance.

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