The teenage years are full of big decisions about the future. In South Africa, two key crossroads occur in high school: choosing subjects at the end of Grade 9, and planning a career or study path by Grade 12 (matric). Our Career Guidance service, available in Centurion and Middelburg, is designed to support teens and their parents through these decisions in a thoughtful, informed way. We combine professional assessment tools with personalized counseling to help your teen discover “where to next?” after high school.
Subject Choice Assessments (Grade 9): In Grade 9, learners must select the subjects they will take from Grade 10 to 12. This is a crucial choice, as it can influence university program eligibility and career options down the line. We offer a dedicated subject-choice assessment package for Grade 9 students. This typically includes:
Aptitude testing: to evaluate the teen’s natural abilities in areas like verbal reasoning, numerical reasoning, abstract thinking, etc. These tests highlight what kinds of activities or studies the student may excel in (for example, a high numerical aptitude might suggest strength in commerce or science fields).
Interest inventories: to uncover the fields and activities that genuinely interest and motivate your teen. They will answer questionnaires about their likes, dislikes, and preferences (e.g. working with people vs. data, indoor vs. outdoor work, artistic vs. scientific tasks). The goal is to find patterns that align with potential careers (for instance, a love for helping people and an interest in biology could point toward healthcare careers).
Personality assessment: to understand personal traits – is your teen more introverted or extroverted? Do they enjoy leading, or prefer supporting roles? Are they adventurous or security-seeking? Personality plays a role in career satisfaction.
Academic record review: We consider which subjects your teen has done well in (or struggled with) up to Grade 9. Their current marks, especially in key subjects like Math or Languages, can inform which subject combinations are realistic and beneficial.
One-on-one discussion: Our psychologist will talk with your teen about their own ideas, dreams, and concerns. Sometimes a teen has a specific career in mind; other times they are completely unsure. We create a safe space for them to voice any aspirations (no matter how tentative or ambitious) and any worries they have. We might also explore their “personal narrative” things like who their role models are, what they do in their spare time, and what values matter to them, as these provide clues to suitable career paths.
After this evaluation, we generate a Subject Choice report. This report will typically suggest an optimal subject package (or a few alternative combinations) for Grade 10–12, based on the student’s profile. For example, it might recommend they take Mathematical Literacy instead of pure Mathematics if their strengths are more language/artistic and they’re eyeing a humanities path or vice versa, encourage them to keep Math and Science if they show aptitude and an interest in engineering. The report and feedback session with you and your teen will cover why those subjects are suggested and how they link to potential career fields. Ultimately, the decision is yours and your teen’s our role is to provide expert input so the choice is well-informed.
Career Assessments & Guidance (Grade 11–12): As students near the end of high school, the looming question is “What will I do after matric?” We assist Grade 11 and 12 learners (and even recent matriculants taking a gap year) with comprehensive career assessments and guidance. This service often builds on the subject-choice assessment (if the teen did one earlier) but goes deeper into specific career or tertiary study decisions. It includes:
Aptitudes, Interests, Personality: If not already done in Grade 9, or if results need updating, we may redo aptitude, interest, and personality assessments since teens grow and change over the high school years.
Career research exercises: We might have the teen complete exercises that match their profile to various career families (e.g., scientific, artistic, social, technical, entrepreneurial, etc.). They may discover careers they hadn’t thought of. We provide up-to-date information on those careers: what the work involves, required qualifications, and prospects in South Africa.
Academic performance review: We look at the learner’s Grade 11 results and Grade 12 (matric) expectations. This helps in guiding toward feasible paths for example, if a certain university program requires Math at 70% and the learner is currently achieving 50%, we might discuss alternative pathways or bridging courses, etc.
Personal narrative and values: At this stage, a teen’s own goals and values take center stage. We encourage them to articulate what success means to them. Do they value helping society? Creativity? High income? Stability? Adventure? These factors heavily influence career satisfaction and are discussed alongside assessment results.
One-on-one career counseling: The psychologist will then synthesize all the information and discuss a range of suitable career or study options with your teen (and you, the parents, if the teen is comfortable with that). We narrow down the many options to a shortlist of careers or degrees/diplomas that fit the teen’s profile and interests. We also consider practical aspects like the availability of courses (universities or colleges offering the needed program), financial considerations (bursaries or learnerships, if relevant), and the learner’s geographic preferences (stay at home, go to a residence, etc.).
After the assessment process, your teen will receive a Career Guidance report summarizing their profile and the recommended pathways. Just as importantly, we debrief thoroughly in person: explaining why certain careers might suit them, and how to pursue them (for example, subject requirements, application deadlines for universities, or alternative routes like apprenticeships). We ensure they understand the steps ahead, whether it’s applying to a university, considering a gap year for volunteering, or enhancing their skills in a certain area.
Warm, youth-friendly approach: We know teenagers can sometimes be anxious or resistant when it comes to discussing their future. Our approach is supportive and pressure-free. We never “dictate” what they should do; rather, we guide and empower. By highlighting a teen’s natural talents and interests, we often see them light up with excitement about possibilities they hadn’t considered. For teens who feel overwhelmed, our structured process can greatly reduce anxiety turning an overload of choices into a clear set of options. Parents, too, often feel relief and pride seeing their teenager take charge of their future with solid information to back them up.
Lifelong impact: Making wise subject and career choices can set the foundation for a fulfilling adult life. With professional guidance, your teen can avoid potential detours like spending a year in an ill-suited course or struggling in subjects they didn’t actually need. Instead, they can focus their energy where it counts. We help them choose a path where they are likely to excel and be happy, which is ultimately what every parent wants for their child. Whether your teen dreams of being a doctor, an artist, an engineer, or isn’t sure at all we’re here to help find the best fit for them as the unique individual they are.
(Service available through in-person appointments in Centurion, Gauteng and Middelburg, Mpumalanga.)