Career Services for Parents

Overview

Beginning a college or university experience is often exciting and frightening at the same time. The Office of Career Development and Experiential Learning Services would like to partner with families to support students as they navigate the many transitions that come with the college experience.

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How to Help Your Student with Career Development

One of the most important things that you can do as a parent or family member is to listen to your student. Be open to new ideas and try to help them find information. It is also important to be non-judgmental. Remember, this is a time for your student to fulfill their dreams, not your dreams.

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Family Member Checklist

Support

  • Am I allowing my family member the freedom to have new experiences?
  • Do I encourage the exploration of new ideas, experiences, and occupations without being pushy?
  • Am I willing to tolerate ideas and values which are different than my own?
  • Do I really listen to what my family member tells me?
  • Am I positive and supportive when my family member makes a poor decision or fails?

Information

  • Do I talk openly and honestly about my current job, including both the pros and cons?
  • Am I willing to discuss my own career development history?
  • Do I tell my family member about various occupations?
  • Do I encourage my family member to find out about occupations of interest, referring them to appropriate resources?

Personal Insight

  • Do I help my family member to objectively look at their strengths and weaknesses and suggest how they might relate to various career areas?
  • Do I compliment my family member on their good points and accomplishments?
  • Do I help my family member identify occupations that they would be good at?

Contacts

  • Am I willing to refer my family member to friends/acquaintances who might discuss their occupations with them?
  • Am I willing to actively help my family member find a summer/part-time/volunteer job that will help them explore a potential career field?
  • Would I be willing to allow my family member to use my personal/professional contacts to find employment after graduation?

Motivation

  • Do I encourage activities that promote career development, while not emphasizing what has not been done?
  • Am I willing to assist my family member in setting reasonable goals without insisting that my expectations be met?
  • Do I ask questions that will encourage my family member’s further career information-seeking behavior?