How to . . .

IF you know people born between the 1980s and 2000, the hunt for employment is probably a hot topic among you. And, according to Dylan Kohlstädt of marketing company Shift One, many of this generation seem to battle with traction in life.

If you are the parent of a Millennial child who needs some direction, Kohlstädt has the following advice:

ýYou will waste a lot of money if you insist they follow your dreams, not theirs. Instead, “try to understand what motivates them and what they’re passionate about and encourage them into a career path that complements their ambitions”;

Many Millennials feel strongly about being able to manage their own time, so becoming an entrepreneur is a perfect fit. Encourage this in them and help them get the skills they need to pursue their dreams;

If your child has itchy feet, you could encourage them to do a course that gives them skills that allow them to work while they travel. For example, hairdressing or beauty therapy allows young people to work on a cruise ship; and

To find where their interests and thus strengths lie, take your child through the following checklist:

Do you enjoy being creative? Do you want to have the chance to express yourself as part of your job?

Are you a people person? You need to decide if being surrounded by people or working on your own are part of your basic requirements.

How important is flexibility to you? Before making far-reaching decisions about your career, ask yourself: Do I want to manage my own schedule?

Are you an entrepreneur? No matter what you study, you can usually set yourself up in your own business if that is your ultimate goal.