Director's Message:
A Family Member's Guide to University at Buffalo's Career Services
Career Services offices at universities across the country have reported a unique phenomenon - the increasing involvement of parents/guardians in the career development of their college-bound children. This involvement has significant advantages as well as disadvantages for the student. Students benefit a great deal from the interest parents or guardians show in their career, and from the advice and assistance they receive. The downside occurs when the interest becomes interference, or when assistance gives way to actually conducting the job search for the student. At the University at Buffalo, the office of Career Services has an outstanding record of partnering with family members to provide excellent services to our common interest - the students. This guide will provide you with some insight into the career development process, information on the services we offer, and show some ways that you can help us help your student.
First of all, you should know that students often use sources of information about careers that are less than accurate. Do you know what the fastest growing major on college campuses across the nation is? If you are thinking Health Sciences or something computer related, that is because you are thinking like an educated consumer. The fact is Forensic Science classes are filling up across the country. To this we owe the success of shows like C.S.I. (This demonstrates that our generation is a little brighter - we didn't enroll in forensics after watching Quincy, but I digress...)
With that in mind, it is extremely important that your student has access to the best, most accurate information available as they begin their career development journey.
Career Development
Vocational Psychologists have described a process of career development that takes people through stages from Fantasy, Exploration, Establishment, Maintenance and Decline. You may remember you son or daughter expressing their interest in becoming a firefighter, astronaut, teacher, artist or president when they grow up. Perhaps they still are headed in that direction. More often, those goals change as they discover new interests, and gain insight into their own strengths and weaknesses.
Most college students are somewhere in the exploration stage - where the key tasks are identifying possible career choices and juxtaposing them with their self identity, and then making tentative choices or "trying on" certain career choices. Waiting for them to begin to settle on some choices can be frustrating for a parent or guardian. The process tends to move at its own speed. Over-involvement by well meaning adults can actually retard the developmental growth, while on the surface appearing to be helping. We have worked with countless students who were "pushed" into a major by an older family member. Too frequently these students begin to question that "choice" late in their college years, resulting in a change of major, or worse, graduating with a background in something they have no interest in pursuing.
Instead of "pushing" there are some strategies that will help your student focus on the process. Asking questions in a non-overbearing way that prompt introspection can be extremely helpful. Usually, especially in the beginning, the answers are less important than the process of thinking about the questions. Asking about their course work (not focusing on the grades, but the content) and what they like or don't like about it can help them clarify their own interests. Asking them about the skills they are developing in the class (quantitative, teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking, writing, etc.) and whether they enjoy using those skills can help them clarify those interests even more.
Regular Career Check Ups
Many students think of the Career Services office much the same way many people think about the dentist's office (although we have newer magazines!). They know they should go, but they put it off. It is uncomfortable to confront an uncertain future, and it is much easier to remain in the cocoon of classes, clubs, sports, friends, etc. Like the dentist, however, the longer you put off the visit, the more uncomfortable you will feel when you finally do go.
We suggest that students visit Career Services at least once a semester. With that kind of schedule the student will be more likely to feel progress toward their future. The counselors in the office have the skills and the tools to help your student identify their interests and abilities. In addition to individual counseling sessions, we offer the Strong Interest Inventory, FOCUS Assessment, and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator.
A Bridge to The "Real World"
Once your student has a pretty good handle on their own skills and interest, they will be ready to begin exploring the world-of-work and looking for ways in which those skills can be used, and those interests satisfied. Some of the programs and services the University at Buffalo offers to meet those needs include:
- Experiential Education - Internships, Co-Ops, Service Learning/Volunteer Experiences
- Part Time Employment
- Meet-A-Mentor Program
- Career Panels
- Employer Presentations
- Employer in Residence
- Job Fairs
In addition, throughout the year, Career Services offers a number of "Life & Learning Workshops" to help fill in some of the skill areas that are important to your student, but that might not be covered in their curriculum.
These workshops include:
- Personal Finance
- Resume/Cover Letter Writing
- Interview Preparation
- Researching Employers
- Applying to Grad Schools
- Networking
- Job Search Skills
- Online Resources
- Making the Most of A Job Fair
- Negotiating a Job Offer
- Buying or Leasing?
- Etiquette Lunch/Dinner
As you can see, all the resources your student needs are available to them through Career Services. These services will be of little value if, your student begins to view the college degree more as end unto itself rather than a means to an end. Ultimately, their decisions are now their own. Your support and patience as they make their way through the career development process, coupled with your interest is seeing that they are making those decisions with good information, can help ensure that whatever decision they make, it will be an informed one.
How Else Can You Help?
We encourage you to become an ally of the Career Services office as we work to serve the students of the University. When your employer looks to fill positions within your organization, encourage them to "Hire The Best." We can provide you with information on how to access our services for full time, part time or internship positions. Perhaps you would be willing to share information about your career field with students who aspire to enter it via our "Meet-a-Mentor" program. You can communicate as a mentor in person, via phone, or email. Perhaps you would be interested in joining the University's Parent Association. (www.parents.buffalo.edu). To help in these or other ways please contact us at your convenience.
To Contact Us
You are welcome to contact Career Services, in person, via the phone, email or Instant Messenger (during the fall and spring semesters - Screen name: UBCAREERADVICE).
