A Family Member's Guide to UB 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. 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.
How can I help my student in the career decision-making process?
Students need to make their own decisions. You can help by being supportive throughout the decision making process -- even when their career direction may not seem viable to you. Most college students are somewhere in the exploration stage - 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.
- Ask 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.
- Inquire about their course work (not focusing on the grades, but the content) and what they like or don't like; these insights can be powerful!
- Demonstrate an interest in the skills they are developing in the class (quantitative, teamwork, public speaking, critical thinking, writing, etc.). Exploring whether they enjoy using those skills can help them clarify those interests even more.
When should my student begin to use the Career Services office?
We welcome students as soon as they begin their college experience and can help students with choosing a major, exploring related career options, and making decisions; we also offer resources to assist with the search for part-time employment, internships, and developing a successful job search strategy and with the graduate school application process.
- Freshman Year: Inquiry and Awareness
- Sophomore Year: Assessment and Exploration
- Junior Year: Testing Career Decisions
- Senior Year: Job Search/Graduate School Applications
How should my student get started with the career development process?
- Early on in their college experience, students should take an in-depth look at their interests, values, and skills. Career Services offers a number of self-assessment tools, which can be helpful in this task.
- The next step is exploring potential academic and career paths using various online and print resources.
- Finally, students should take part in part-time and summer jobs, volunteer experiences, campus activities, and internships that are related to their interests.
What if my student is undecided in their major?
Though being "undecided" can be stressful, the freshman and sophomore years are a time for career exploration. Students will be on the right track if they use their first two years to take a variety of elective courses (in addition to required general education courses), research majors available at the University, talk to faculty, career counselors, and academic advisors, and interview professionals in career fields of interest. University policies indicate that students should declare a major by the time they have completed 60 credits. This major is not set in stone; in fact, changing majors is more of the norm rather than the exception!
If your student is undecided about their major, encourage them to take MyPlan, a free online career assessment program available through Career Services, and to make a follow-up appointment with one of our career counselors to interpret the results. Your student may also be interested in taking UBE 202: Career Planning, a 3-credit course that introduces freshmen and sophomores to the process of self-exploration and career development. In addition, they should consider attending workshops and events that will help them to expand their knowledge of their options.
I know that internships and extracurricular activities are important, but my student must work to keep up with their college expenses. How are they supposed to do both?
While internships are usually not required as part of the University curriculum, they are strongly encouraged. With careful planning, students can often have the best of both worlds -- make money for college and get experience for the future. If your student is unable to land a relevant part-time job or paid internship, an alternative is to work at a job that provides them the necessary financial support (for example, waiting tables, lifeguarding, or retail), while also volunteering or working in an unpaid position - even if it's just 10 hours per week. Most employers would welcome an eager, responsible college student to offer their time to an organization in exchange for the opportunity to spend time in a professional work environment. Students are encouraged to check out our many resources for finding part-time employment and internships, and to meet with a career counselor to discuss their search strategy.
How can I help my student be a more marketable candidate for jobs or graduate school?
Planning for the next step is key and ensures that your student has developed a track record of successful experiences. No matter how close your student is to graduation, we recommend conducting a "career check-up" at least once a year. Our Checklist for Career Success will assist your student in knowing what career development activities they should focus on in order to stay on track.
I am worried about my student's prospects for employment given the current economic climate. What tips do you have for the job search?
Your student should start the job search early - as much as two semesters to a year prior to graduation. We provide assistance with developing effective resumes and cover letters, job search techniques, practice interviewing, opportunities to network with employers and more. Your student can take advantage of the job and career fairs offered by Career Services each semester - it is a great place to connect with employers and their opportunities.
Given the current economy, it is important to be open to opportunities. If necessary, expand the industries and geographic locations being considered, or consider an internship as a great stepping stone to full-time employment. Employers prefer candidates with experience! It's never too late to gain experience through part time, summer jobs, internships or volunteer work.
Which companies recruit at UB?
Each year, Career Services hosts recruiters from a variety of local and national employers, who come to campus to attend job fairs, host information sessions, or meet with students in our private interview rooms. Students may view the list of companies, submit a resume, and sign up for an interview slot - all online. View a list of companies that recruit at UB.
What other resources are available for parents and family members?
Check out UB's Resources for Parents , with services and resources including a monthly e-newsletter, information on the UB Parent Association, and miscellaneous tips and topics for parents.
Mentor Network
One very useful resource in career decision-making is our Mentor Network. Students are encouraged to contact our mentor volunteers to increase their knowledge about career fields of interest and to learn about the world of work.
Join the Network! Parents are encouraged to volunteer as mentors!
