For Indian parents—how not to talk about college or career with your kids
- career choices
- August 17, 2025
What not to say to your kids while selecting college
Parents play an active role and so often we see that their discussion influences what their kid actually studies in the college. However there are certain statements that parents use but they should avoid using—the goal is to build their kid’s capacity to think, to identify their choices, and to find paths for the right convergence of ideas.
We guide you as you own the steering of your career path. See an example for how Steering makes it so clear for you.
—”You have the capability, why not to study science or public administration?”
Capability does not necessarily mean the career—let’s not use the capability statements to lock their thinking. It is possible that they can apply their capability and skills in other disciplines too. Give them a chance to find adjacent possibilities.
—”Legal practice does not have a career. We have many friends who are struggling in the field.”
Students might think what if many struggle in other careers too—in software, finance, administration, machine sales, or those running their businesses. Do not show them failure examples, you never know those failure stories.
Also, Legal (or whatever example you use) has many success stories too, and your kid might be seeing it somewhere.
—”As a family, we don’t have experience or knowledge about car-making. We cannot guide you anything.”
Let the kids find their own path. Think whether your parents guided you in what you are today—not many of us can say Yes. If they see themselves making cars or car dashboards or car music as their career, let me explore the opportunities rather than dismissing the idea altogether on day one.
—”We are both into software, and we can guide you at different stages to build a career.”
Do not try to live your dreams in the kid, it is possible that the kid is not designed to learn or work in software. Your intention is right but that should not be the only criteria.
Do an objective analysis of what the kid aspires to be, where they can excel, whether they can make a life for themselves and their own family when they grow up. They might be thinking of something entirely different or unique career options for their college but they will share it only if you give them enough confidence and space.
There are so many stories of families where they miss the basic structure of career discussions for the kids.
Steering is not a magic wand that you helps you decide students’ career or college. Our service is designed to build family conversations and their convergence of ideas and options, and we give data-driven evidence and stories to support our analysis.
See an example discussion and write to us if you want to discuss it.
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Our analysis structure in the free plan helps you in thinking deeply about your life-dreams, aspirations, wishes, and in connecting the dots for what you want to do, what skills you should learn, how to apply those skills in real life work, and what brings joy in your life when you grow up.
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