Related Websites
Guide to Career Development
How you Can Help your Child on their Career Path
If your child is unsure of what they want to major in or what career path to take encourage them to visit the Career Development Center and Peer Career to begin their planning early. Point out your child’s personal abilities that you view as talents or strengths. Talk with them about their courses and activities in order to help identify new interests. Support your child’s exploration of new areas of study. Be open and objective about their ideas and don’t pressure them into choosing a major or career choice too quickly. Help them bounce around ideas and let them make the ultimate choice about their own career or major.
Experience is Important
Stress the importance of internships, job shadowing, volunteering, informational interviewing, part-time and summer employment opportunities, and campus involvement. These activities help your child explore different fields and occupations, while helping them gain valuable skills, such as, leadership, planning, organization, time management, and administrative skills. Encourage your child to begin developing their resume and interviewing skills early. Your student can meet with their career counselor in the Career Development Center to learn how to write a resume or have their resume reviewed. The Career Development Center also provides mock interviews for students to practice their interviewing skills before going in for the real deal.
Be a Valuable Resource
Be a resource for your son or daughter. Help them develop contacts for information, advice, and assistance in career planning and job searching. Refer them to colleagues, friends, neighbors, family, and anyone else you might know that may help your child’s career interests. Networking is the #1 way that people find jobs. Ensure that your son or daughter visits their career counselor at the Career Development Center if they are having trouble conducting a job search or applying for graduate school. Be prepared to support them through the ups and downs of these types of searches. Offer assistance by sending them job postings or other information that you find related to their career interests.
Most Importantly
Be supportive of your son or daughter throughout their entire career development process! Don't perpetuate career myths and keep our 10 tips in mind.
