In this episode, Bill Priestley examines how academics (not academic performance) and career choice are more connected than you think. Using the analogy of a cave, Bill goes into the idea that exploration of the cave can be exciting. However, once the light from the opening is gone, kids look for a way out - and they find it in the form of graduation. But some students take a different path towards academics in how they use them to fuel their desire for a career - something they experience well past graduation day. And it's by understanding this analogy that can give you, as parents a good idea about what your child is interested in by examining what "gems" they are going after.

In this conversation, Bill Priestley interviews Luke De La Verne, a career counselor, about the importance of career counseling for young people. Luke shares his personal journey into the field, highlighting the confusion many young individuals face when deciding on their career paths. The discussion emphasizes the role of parents in supporting their children’s decisions without imposing their own agendas. Luke also critiques the educational system's lack of consistent feedback for students and offers insights into effective career counseling strategies. The conversation concludes with practical scenarios where counseling can be beneficial for both students and parents. In this conversation, Luke discusses the importance of using aptitude assessments and career counseling to help young people identify their strengths and interests. He emphasizes the value of the Highlands Ability Battery and the need for objective feedback from a coach. The discussion also covers the timing for assessments, the impact of AI on career guidance, and the importance of parental support in the decision-making process. Luke provides insights on how to navigate career choices and the necessity of reevaluating career paths periodically.

Do you ever notice how some graduates seemingly don't know what to do after graduation (when their formal education is over) and other graduates have things in hand - or at least they think they do? This podcast delves into the life of the graduate that goes to school simply to graduate - as if their education ended when they got the diploma. This scheme won't apply to everyone, but it will apply to a decent percentage of every graduating class this spring - they fall off of the "Graduation Cliff".

There are certain "trends" that would indicate there is a method towards success for any child looking to succeed in the world economy. But if you follow that trend with your child, are you giving them the same chances of success as anyone else in the world? In this episode, Bill Priestley jumps into the numbers and how the idea of going to college has its perks, but can also have a major negative effect on one's career after graduation.

How intrusive or active should you be as a parent in helping your child make a decision about a career? In this episode, Bill Priestley breaks down a study done by the University of Wisconsin on who teenagers trust when it comes to career advice. And you can use this information to your advantage in helping your child figure out if a career is right for them - and turn them into someone that hunts for a career they want as opposed to wishing for a career by sending out a ton of resumes and hoping for a positive response.

Ever wonder how you can identify passion and purpose in a work scenario? In this episode, Bill Priestley takes you through the process of identifying a career by aligning your interests, abilities and audiences to a goal that promotes passion and purpose in your life. This is the second half of the mini course which you can test drive as parents and try with your children.

It's generally a bad idea when looking to identify a career by asking the question, "what are you interested in?" The answer to that is like looking out on a meadow and picking your favorite blade of grass - there are too many possibilities to review in order to make a determination. In this episode, Bill Priestley jumps into what questions we need to ask if we're going to get closer to our greatest interests and abilities in determining possible dream careers.

What are the elements needed to identify a dream career? In this episode, Bill Priestley jumps into that discussion with an analysis of intrinsic motivation and how you can use it to identify powerful careers that stimulate you intellectually, drive you physically and fulfill you emotionally and or spiritually.