A Career Planning Course for Parents

By Sally Kearsley

Your son or daughter just left for (or returned to) college but doesn't seem to have a clue as to what he or she wants to major in, let alone choose as a career. Don't worry! This is not unusual, although you might wish your student had a little more sense of direction!

Choosing a career is a process students (and adults!) need to go through—and students go through the stages of this process at different rates of speed. The steps include:

  1. Assessing skills, interests and abilities (this is an important first step to choosing an appropriate career).
  2. Exploring majors and career options.
  3. Experimenting with possible career options.
  4. Organizing and conducting a job or graduate school search.

You can assist and support your students in each of these stages. But what can—or should—you do?

Here's your own career planning timetable:

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    CAREERS 101 - FOR PARENTS OF FIRST-YEAR COLLEGE STUDENTS

    During their first year or so of college, students will be involved (formally or informally) in assessing their skills, interests and abilities. They will do this through finding success (or failure) in courses they take, involvement in campus activities, discussions with their friends and faculty, and generally being exposed to and trying out different ideas and experiences.

    Most students enter college with a very limited knowledge of the vast array of courses and majors available to them. When they begin to delve into studies that are new to them, even those who entered with a plan may be drawn to different options. This is an exciting time for students.

    Here's what you can do to help:

    • Support your student's exploration of new areas of study and interests. This, after all, is what education is all about.
    • Affirm what you know to be areas of skill and ability he or she has consistently demonstrated. Sometimes students overlook these and need to be reminded.
    • Talk with your son or daughter about the courses and activities he or she is enjoying and how well your student is doing. Students discover new things about themselves throughout the college experience. Your willingness to listen and be a sounding board will keep you in the loop.
    • Don't panic if your student is excited about majoring in something like English, history or art. These can be excellent choices, particularly if they are a good match for a student's interests and skills.
    • Support your son or daughter's responsible involvement in campus activities but urge this to be balanced with maintaining achievement in the classroom.
    • Urge your student to seek assistance in the career center. Most institutions have assessment instruments and counselors to help students to define their skills, interests and abilities.
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    CAREERS 201 - FOR PARENTS OF SECOND-YEAR STUDENTS

    Generally, during the second year of college, a student begins to explore majors and career options more seriously. Many colleges and universities require that new students take a broad range of subjects to promote this exploration.

    What's your role in this step of development?

    • Don't insist upon a decision about a major or possible career choice immediately. If you sense that your student's indecision is a barrier to positive progress, urge that he or she look for assistance in the career center. Students often have difficulty making a "final" choice because they fear they may close off options and make a wrong choice.
    • Suggest that your son or daughter talk with faculty and career advisers about potential choices.
    • Don't assume that if your child chooses to major in English, history, philosophy, or some other "impractical" major that he or she will never get a job. Liberal arts studies sharpen skills which are critical to the "package" employers are seeking: strong written and oral communication skills, problem-solving skills, the ability to synthesize information and excellent research skills.
    • Suggest learning a foreign language and developing computer skills. Both of these skills can be helpful in today's market, no matter what career field he or she chooses.
    • Direct your child to family, friends, or colleagues who are in fields in which your student has an interest. Informational interviewing with people can be extremely helpful at this stage!
    • Steer your student toward a source of information. Many cam