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#82: Helping Your Kids Find a Career They’ll Love with Melissa Palmer

Season #2

In today’s episode, I’m talking with career development expert Melissa Palmer from the Career Planning Studio. With over 25 years of experience in higher ed, talent development, and executive coaching, Melissa brings deep wisdom and practical tools for homeschool parents who want to equip their children for a meaningful future.

We talk about moving beyond outdated advice like “get good grades, go to college, and land a stable job,” and instead, focus on how to guide our kids (and ourselves!) toward purposeful work rooted in their unique superpowers, passions, and values.

Whether your teen has no idea what they want to do—or too many ideas—this conversation is packed with insights to help your family prepare for an ever-changing career landscape.

5 Key Takeaways:

  1. Start with Self-Awareness: True career fit begins with identifying your child’s “superpowers”—activities that energize them and make them feel strong, not just things they perform well at.
  2. Explore Before You Invest: Don’t wait until college to discover what your child likes (or doesn’t). Use high school to explore interests, research paths, and even prototype options through shadowing or volunteering.
  3. The Career Path Isn’t Linear: Most young adults today will have 12–18 jobs and multiple career shifts. The goal isn’t picking one thing forever—it’s developing lifelong tools to navigate change with confidence.
  4. Relationships Matter: Experience and education matter, but connections often unlock opportunity. Help your kids build their network early through informational interviews, mentors, and community ties.
  5. Use Your Homeschool to Your Advantage: Homeschooling gives the gift of time and flexibility. Leverage it to integrate career conversations into everyday learning, whether through research, writing, or real-world exploration.

Connect with Melissa Palmer:

Resources Mentioned:

Visit thefeastlife.me/blog/82 for additional resources and links

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Connect with Us:

Today’s episode is sponsored by the award winning Charlotte Mason curriculum A Gentle Feast. Get started with smooth and easy days at https://www.agentlefeast.com.

Ready to help your kids craft a life they love—not just a job that pays the bills? This episode will give you the tools, questions, and encouragement to start the conversation today.

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