Downton Abbey’s Teachable Moments
Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) January 11, 2014 -- Teachable moments are everywhere – even in the popular TV series Downton Abbey! In the season four premier, viewers saw Lady Mary gain the respect of her mentor and brother-in-law, increase her skills set, and land her dream job managing her share of Downton Abbey. But Lady Mary’s situation is also a reminder to parents with college-bound teens that even an heiress does not have the luxury to make poor education or career choices when money is in short supply.
“Lady Mary is a positive role model for teenagers,” says Elizabeth Venturini, a leading college career strategist with CollegeCareerResults. “Her situation shows teens why they have to start planning for their future careers now, so that they can graduate with college majors that will provide job opportunities and pay the bills.” Venturini highlights three teachable moments demonstrated by Lady Mary for parents to help prepare their teens for college and beyond:
Find a Mentor: Lady Mary was encouraged by her brother-in-law, Tom Branson, to take an active role in running Downton Abbey. “Mentors such as teachers, coaches, or peer groups, provide personal and professional support. Teens are more likely to follow through on high expectations when they are set by a role model outside their immediate family,” says Venturini. “Good mentors know how to push just enough to take teens out of their comfort zone and increase their self-confidence.”
Gain Work Experience with an Internship: Lady Mary realized she needed experience to run Downton Abbey. “Encourage your teen to gain work experience as an intern to increase their chances for a dream job after college,” says Venturini. “They’ll develop leadership skills, learn how to manage time, improve their work ethics, and grow a list of job contacts. All are important to a future employer.”
Create a College Career Plan: Lady Mary said, “I have ideas, you know” and she began her earnest plan to regain control of her share of Downton Abbey. Venturini recommends that your teen take a career assessment to help conceptualize their ideas and interests toward a college major and career they will love. This will provide them choices to make decisions and follow through with a plan to achieve their education and career goals.
Venturini says, “Not every teen is born to run an estate like Downton Abbey, but if parents want help for their teen-agers so they can graduate with a marketable college degree then they should talk to a college career strategist like me.”
Parents may not have an estate the size of Downton Abbey, but a college education is the second biggest investment they will ever make. With today’s slowly recovering job market and skyrocketing college tuition costs, parents can no longer afford to have their teens enroll in college without a plan in place.
About College and Career Strategist Elizabeth Venturini:
Venturini is a certified administrator of the two leading career assessments: the Strong Interest Inventory® and the Myers Briggs Type Indicator®. She helps teens discover their interests and apply them toward a college major they will enjoy and a career path that will earn them a living. She offers a personal lifeline to parents with her informative online program: “Failure to Launch – Not an Option™” College Career Mentoring Program. Venturini’s company CollegeCareerResults supports parents worldwide who want to set the stage so their teens launch in college and beyond. To learn more, go to: http://www.CollegeCareerResults.com.
Elizabeth Venturini, CollegeCareerResults, http://www.CollegeCareerResults.com, 949 636 9055, [email protected]
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