7 Tips to Make the Most of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2008

On April 24, thousands of kids throughout the nation will head off to the American workplace with a parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or friend to take part in the 15th Annual "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day." To make the most of the experience, career coach and motivational speaker Dee Marshall offers these seven tips:

1. Prepare your daughter/son for the day. For kids under age 13, pack a bag the night before to include snacks, books, games, camera, iPod, a journal and other things to amuse themselves in case they are solo. For kids over 13, this is an opportunity to teach your teenager the importance of planning and preparation and how to make the most of any opportunity -- whether it's an interview, a meeting, a test or an exam. So in the days prior, talk to your teenager about what he/she would like to get out of the day and offer advice on how to accomplish the goal.

2. Encourage your teenager to explore. This is an opportunity for your son/daughter to take a closer look at a specific profession or role, as well as the skills and experience required for the job. Let your daughter/son know they should ask questions that will help them understand what it would take for them to have a job at your company.

3. Teach your child /teenager proper greetings. Great job opportunities and careers are built on great relationships. This is an opportunity to teach your daughter/son the appropriate way to make an introduction and shake hands. You should also consider role playing with children under age 13.

4. Support your child /teenager in speaking up. This is not a day for young people to get lost; it is a day for young people to be seen and heard. Depending on your profession and the nature of your business, let your child know if it's OK to engage in conversation, ask questions, share thoughts and ideas.

5. Invite your child /teenager to participate. Whether your employer has a formal program planned or not, small business or large, auto dealer, book store or retail outlet, it's a good idea to allow your child /teenager to participate in a key activity like a meeting, greeting customers, taking orders, taking notes, reviewing materials or answering the telephone (yes the telephone).

6. Expose your child /teenager to different jobs/careers. If your child /teenager is not a first time participant in the day, allow him/her to shadow a relative or close friend.

7. Educate your child /teenager about how your employer makes money. One of the most important things that you can do for your daughter/son is to help him/her understand how the company makes their profit, whether it's a product or service. Paint the picture of the transference of money and the value of a day's work.

Dee Marshall

Founder, Raise The Bar, LLC

A sought-after career coach and motivational speaker, Dee Marshall is the founder of Raise The Bar, LLC (www.goRaiseTheBar.com), a coaching, training and development practice dedicated to helping women achieve their goals and realize their full potential. Dee has spent most of her career on Wall Street. However, after the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001, Marshall left the financial services industry and started working in the non-profit sector. Dee realized her purpose in life and soon began preparing to launch her coaching and consulting business to fulfill her life's mission. In the meanwhile, she returned to corporate America and began consulting for Moody's Investor Service, Johnson & Johnson and is currently the Advertising Sales & Training Manager for The New York Times.

As a certified career and business coach, Dee works with mid-level/mid-career women in corporate America and new entrepreneurs who want to move to the next level in their careers and businesses. Her challenge to women is: Seek meaning and purpose for your own life, develop yourself personally and professionally, and strive for continuous growth.

7 Tips to Make the Most of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2008

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7 Tips to Make the Most of Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day 2008

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