Your son or daughter has finished high school. They have painstakingly decided on a college and best of all, they have gotten admitted and you’ve finally moved them in. Life is good. Your job is done and you’ve been successful. You have just completed 18 years of child rearing and now it’s your time to relax. After all, they are an adult and can make their own decisions, right? Well, not exactly. This is a time when, whether they want to admit it or not, that they need you more than ever.

Some ways you can help your student with Career Development

One of the most important things that you can do as a parent 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.

Be a networking resource. Help your student develop contacts for information and advice for career planning and internship possibilities. Refer your student to colleagues, friends, neighbors, family and community members that have experiences related to your students interests. Encourage your students to make connections with faculty members.

Be an advocate. Encourage your student to use the services available to them through the ISU Career Center. No matter what their year in college, we can assist them.

Encourage your student to visit the Career Center early in their college career. Career counselors will assist your student in narrowing down career choices through interest assessments, library resources, and informational interviews. The counselors are also able to assist with interviewing skills, resume and cover letter development, as well as with internships and job search strategies. When you refer them to the Career Center, you’re starting them down a path toward future success.

Talk about the personal qualities that you see as their strengths and talents. By reassuring them that they have what it takes to succeed, they will feel more confident in the decision that they have made.

Persuade your student to get involved on campus. A great way to gain interpersonal skills is to become a leader in a campus organization. Employers value the experiences that students gain through campus involvement. Being involved on campus also helps your student develop a sense of balance in life between work and play.

Emphasize the importance of getting valuable experience. One way to be competitive in today’s job market is to get experience in your chosen career field. A great way to do this is to participate in internships, co-ops, and volunteer experience. Employers view this as a time for students to “get their feet wet” and see what life is like in the world of work. Many times, students will also make connections that will benefit them in the future.

Support the Career Center. Show that you value the experiences that the Career Center offers by listing summer, part-time, and full-time job opportunities with us. We will assist you in finding a hard-working student. If your company offers internships, have your internships listed with the Career Center.