Tips for Parents of College Students or Prospective College Students

Wondering about what your student will do after graduation? Not sure of what your student will major in at college? Want to help your student with career concerns, but unsure how to assist him/her? If you answer “yes” to any of these questions, you are not alone. Many parents and families are concerned about their student starting college, what happens after graduation, and how to best prepare for that transition.  Experience shows that many students turn to their parents and families for suggestions and advice about career direction and planning; so it’s likely that you will be a major sounding board for your student while he/she is in college.

New students frequently identify career issues and choosing a major as top concerns as they enter college.  Some things you can do:

·        Reassure your student that you are interested in his process of growth and exploration.

·        Encourage her to visit the Career Development Office for help with career information and choosing or changing a major.

·        Encourage him to major in an area that he finds interesting and enjoys. (Students who major in what they enjoy generally have higher GPAs and persist to complete a degree.)

·        Suggest that she work closely with her academic advisor and faculty, and not be hesitant to ask questions.

·        Indicate that you want him to try new experiences as a way of enhancing career exploration.

·        Help her plan for internships to get career related experience.

 For many students, taking classes in new academic subjects will introduce them to new options and ideas.   It’s very common for students to change majors a number of times before they finally select one, most often during their sophomore year. On average, 75% of students will change thoughts on majors at least once during their first year. This exploration time and process is very normal and positive (though at times stress producing for students and families). By looking at different options he will be able to make a more informed decision, as he becomes more aware of himself and the world around him.

Think about the role you can have in your child’s career development.  For example, a good exercise is exploring your child’s personal likes, dislikes, talents and strengths with him/her – without being judgmental. Assessment tools can relate these characteristics to specific occupations. This will help your child see himself more objectively, which will make it easier to recognize careers that may be a good fit for him.

Ultimately it is up to your child to make the choice of what career to pursue, but what you say and how you react (both verbally and non-verbally) affects what your child thinks, says and perceives about various careers.  It is reasonable to mention factors to consider, such as job market demand, salary ranges, long range opportunities, skills required, etc.  By educating yourself about what is involved in career planning, you will be more effective at guiding your child on his career journey.

Sharon Gilbert is a licensed career counselor.   She has recently written a book Beyond Tuition: Career Coaching Your College Kid. More information can be found at www.beyondtuition.com