One of the most valuable things parents can do to
help a student with career planning is listen: be open
to ideas, try to help your student find information, and
be nonjudgmental.
Here are 10 ways you can help:
1. Encourage your child to visit the career center (and you go too!)
Next time you visit campus, drop into the career services office and pick up a business card from one of the career counselors. When your son or daughter is feeling anxious about his/her future, offer the card and say, “Please call this person. He (or she) can help you.”
2. Advise your student to write a resume
Writing a resume can be a “reality test” and can help a student identify weak areas that require improvement. Suggest your student get sample resumes from the career center, from books at the public library, or online. We can help
3. Challenge your student to become “occupationally Iiterate”
You may recommend:
• Taking a “self-assessment inventory
• Talking to favorite faculty members
• Researching a variety of interesting career fields and employers
4. Allow your student to make the decision
Even though it is helpful to ask occasionally about career plans, too much prodding can backfire.
5. Emphasize the importance of internships
The career center will not “place” your child in a job at graduation. Colleges grant degrees, but not job guarantees, so having relevant experience in this competitive job market is critical.
6. Encourage extracurricular involvement
Part of experiencing college life is to be involved and active outside the classroom.
7. Persuade your student to stay up-to-date with current events
Employers will expect students to know what is happening around them.
8. Expose your student to the world of work
Most students have a stereotypical view of the workplace. Take your child to your workplace.
9. Teach the value of networking
Introduce your student to people who have the careers/jobs that are of interest.
10. Help the career center
Call your campus career center when you have a summer, part-time or full-time job opening. The staff will help you find a hard-working student.
