Parents

The Choice Program for Undeclared Students

Misericordia University's Choice Program consists of a series of seven workshops designed to assist Undeclared students explore their interests, values, and skills as well as the various Misericordia major curricula and world of work. All incoming first year Undeclared students are encouraged to participate in this experience. During the seven-week series, students will complete a series of informal assessments, engage in individual and group reflection experiences, interact with area employers representing student's fields of interest, explore the Misericordia catalogue, and meet with Misericordia professors to explore career options in the various major fields. The Choice Program offers Undeclared students an opportunity to interact with other students who are exploring their futures and provides them with a support system as they adjust to college and make decisions about their major and career choices. This workshop series is co-facilitated by the Student Success Center and the Insalaco Center for Professional Development and Leadership.

Check out the GPP page to learn more. 

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.

Check out where they are attending graduate school!
Check out where they are working!

Career Outcomes (Class of 2023/2024)
Gathered through the First Destination Survey