In order for a student to become successful in a career after graduation, the student needs to have a plan. Parents can help with this plan by being a resource for their child and helping the student find other resources that he or she can utilize. Here are some ways to begin:
- Help your son/daughter develop a list of everyone you both know (friends, family, business associates, etc) that are working in your son/daughter's field of interest. Have your child contact these people to arrange an informational interview or a job shadowing experience where they can get a better understanding of the job and start building a network of professional contacts.
- If your son/daughter is not sure of their career path, encourage them to do internet research. The student should make a list of careers/occupations that interest them and research such things as the starting salary, the qualifications for this position and where the likely job markets are in the country for these positions. A good site for research is the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Encourage son/daughter to visit the Insalaco Center for Professional Development and Leadership to make an appointment. Our counselors can:
- Administer career aptitude assessments to help students find a career and a major that works for them
- Work with students to develop a resume and cover letter
- Practice interview skills
- Help students start their job search
If you would like more information, a good book on this subject is “Parent's Guide to College and Careers: How to Help, Not Hover" by Barbara Cooke.
Students can take advantage of various workshops, mock interviews, career counseling and resume critiquing offered by the Insalaco Center for Professional Development and Leadership. In addition to these services, students can also search for internships and full-time/part-time jobs through our Misericordia Handshake site.
The Insalaco Center maintains student-counselor confidentiality for all our sessions. It is our hope that parents will play a supportive role in their son's or daughter's career development process.