Unfortunately, there are just enough basketball, soccer, and rock stars to keep that dream alive for millions. The temptation is to wait for magic rather than make plans for training and work.

Most parents hope to see a clear direction in their graduate's career planning. But there are very few sons or daughters who take an unwavering track to a life-long occupation. "What do you want to be when you grow up?" is often a hard question even for a 60-year-old.

Of graduates who go off to college, 90% will change their major before they finish. While the average university has over 100 majors, most freshmen will not be able to name more than 20. College is for learning about life's choices as well as preparing for a career. Parents need to be patient.

Parents need to be especially supportive of students who don't select a college path. Their teens need to keep up on the choices in training and preparation for the future job market. In these high-tech times, students can always benefit from more training.

Surveys show that poor decisions about work, social life, and money are the major causes for not carrying through on training. Poor attendance in classes due to habits about work, money and entertainment remains the best predictor of dropping out of courses whether in college or other training programs.