Parenting Shrink Wrapped

#70 How to Help Your Teen Find Career Direction with Jessica Roffe

Samantha Straub and Dr. Melissa Wellner

Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.

0:00 | 34:52

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Parenting Shrink Wrapped, Sam and Melissa sit down with career coach, Jessica Roffe, to talk about what career readiness really looks like for teens and young adults today. With over a decade of experience helping students navigate uncertainty, Jessica shares a refreshing perspective: teens don’t need to have it all figured out. They need to start with self-awareness, curiosity, and real-world exploration.

Together, they unpack how parents can support their teens without adding pressure, why depth of experience matters more than doing “all the things,” and how simple steps like conversations, networking, and trying new opportunities can build confidence over time. This episode is full of practical, reassuring advice for any parent guiding their teen through the early stages of figuring out their future.

About Jessica
Jessica Roffe has spent over 12 years helping students and young adults turn uncertainty into career confidence. 

She is the Founder of Career Beginnings LLC, where she supports students and young professionals through personalized coaching and practical workshops focused on career readiness– including internships and job searches, resumes and LinkedIn, networking, interviewing, and building a strong personal brand.

In addition to running Career Beginnings, Jessica works full time at the University of Maryland’s Robert H. Smith School of Business, where she advises and teaches students and has earned a Distinguished Teaching Award for instructional excellence. She is a Certified Career Services Provider through the National Career Development Association and holds a master’s degree in Higher & Postsecondary Education from Columbia University’s Teachers College.

Additional Resources

OneStopCareer. https://www.careeronestop.org/

O*Net https://www.onetonline.org/ 

Get expert support, fresh strategies, and a judgment-free parent community—so you can stop feeling stuck and start parenting your teen with more clarity, confidence, and connection.

Contact: parentingshrinkwrapped@gmail.com

Watch on YouTube: Subscribe to Parenting Shrink Wrapped for the latest episodes.

Follow:
Sam – Instagram & Facebook
Melissa – Facebook

Work with Us:
Sam – Teen Savvy Coaching
Melissa – Annapolis Psychiatry

Free Parenting Resource: Learn the L.O.V.E.D. framework for handling tricky convos.

Listen & Review: Follow on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

This podcast is educational in nature and is not a substitute for professional medical or mental-health care.