Workplace Skills
© 2008 Resources for Educators
by Rod Wittmer
March 04, 2008
Maybe your high schooler dreams of opening a restaurant. Or perhaps he wants to become an aeronautical engineer. Whatever his plans, he'll be more likely to achieve them if he has the skills to back them up. Consider these ideas.
People skills. Jobs require talking with supervisors, coworkers, and customers. Encourage your teen to use the right tone and body language. To display a friendly, open attitude, he should speak in a clear voice, smile, look people in the eye, offer a firm handshake, keep arms and legs uncrossed, and have good posture.
Computer skills. Employers want computer-savvy workers who are comfortable with changing technology and capable of using it for daily tasks. Suggest that your teenager use the computer regularly for schoolwork, take software electives, and even observe
Writing skills. Effective communication is critical to every job. When your child has a writing assignment, remind him to focus on his purpose and audience. Example: Creating a consumer nutrition brochure for a food science class means putting complex information into everyday language. At home, have him tie writing to his goals. If he wants to host a party, for instance, ask him to persuade you in writing.
