Parents and Families
Congratulations on having an OCU Star!
Career Services values the role parents and family members play in their student's life. Even though you may now be separated by miles or hours, you still have the ability to be a huge influence on your student's career choices.
Below are some simple things to consider and resources for you to help support your student.
- Encourage your student to visit Career Services beginning their Freshman Year - this is especially important if they are still deciding upon a major or thinking about a major change.
- Help your student to assess their values, who they are, and what they really want to accomplish.
- Talk to your student about your own career and how you got there.
- Encourage them to volunteer, intern and pursue part-time employment.
- Suggest that they talk with professionals about what they do.
- Resist the temptation to be overly involved- Set limits! Give guidance and support. Employers rarely see parental involvement in a positive light!
Four-Year Action Plan for Parents and Families
Freshman Year Plan
Student’s Role:
- Visit the office of Career Services to schedule an appointment for assistance with your choice of major and future career plan
- Take a vocational assessment: STRONG Interest Inventory (if necessary)
- Register with the Career Services on-line job and internship job posting system (Handshake)
- Meet with a faculty member to review academic concerns such as curriculum requirements and specific course selections
- Participate in campus activities and clubs to develop leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills
- Begin to develop your resume
Parent’s Role:
- Encourage your student to visit Career Services to take an assessment, discuss future career interests, abilities, and values
- Ask your student if he/she has registered for Handshake, if they tell you they haven’t yet done that, we’d be happy to walk them through it in Career Services
- Discuss the value of meeting with faculty and academic advisors with your student
- Talk with your student about getting involved in at least one campus organization or activity
Career Services’ Role:
- Meet with each student to discuss career assessment results, career options based on the student’s career interests, abilities, and values
- Assist students in registering for Handshake to find part-time jobs, internships, and volunteer experiences
- Present workshops on choosing a major and what to do with one’s chosen major
- Provide resources and guidance for students as they begin
Sophomore Year Plan
Student’s Role:
- Stay in touch with your Career Services counselor as you work through this important process
- Investigate internship opportunities or part-time job listings to explore career prospects and gain valuable experience; remember to check Handshake
- Update your resume
- Attend Career Services workshop and events; tour the Career Fair so that you’ll know how to best prepare for future fairs
- Schedule an individual appointment with Career Services to discuss your Action Plan and ideas
- Consider studying abroad and/or leadership positions within an organization
Parent’s Role:
- If your student is doubting their major choice, encourage them to visit with a Career Services counselor
- Listen to your student talk about different career options he or she may be considering
- Help your student come up with a list of friends or relatives that may work in a field of interest to contact for informational interviews
- Suggest your student consider career-related work or internship experience over the summer
Career Services’ Role:
- Host Fall and Spring Career Fairs
- Encourage students to register with Handshake to search for summer internships or career-related part-time employment
- Hold resume writing and interviewing workshops
- Available for individual appointments to address student questions and concerns
Junior Year Plan
Student’s Role:
- Update your resume and cover letter
- Contact Career Services to schedule a "Mock Interview" to get prepared
- Attend the Fall and Spring Career Fairs
- Join career related student professional associations
- Become familiar with the graduate school admissions process and meet with a Career Services to discuss your future academic and professional goals
- Contact an Alumni Mentor or professional in your field of study to participate in job shadowing or conduct an informational interview; your Career Services counselor can assist with this
- Secure an internship or part-time employment in your field of interest
Parent’s Role:
- Encourage your student to take classes and/or get involved in student organizations that will enhance academics and assist in making your student more marketable
- Discuss career options and plans with your student
- Remind your student about Fall and Spring Career Fairs
- Provide contacts to help your student network
- Encourage your student to obtain an experience that relates to his/her career goals
Career Services’ Role:
- Hold workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, and how to best prepare for Career Fairs
- Teach students how to navigate Handshake while searching for internships
- Meet one-on-one with students who are preparing for interviews
- Recruit quality employers to attend the Fall and Spring Career Fairs for OCU students
- Hold mock interviews and encourage use of resources to prepare for interviews
Senior Year Plan
Student’s Role:
- Discuss your career plans with your Academic Advisor and Career Services Counselor
- Update your resume and cover letter
- If applicable, take a graduate school or professional school admission exam and submit applications for graduate school and develop a back-up plan
- Develop your job search strategy and start applying 8 – 10 months before graduation; your Career Services Counselor can assist you with this
- Utilize Career Services to search for full time employment through our extensive job posting network (Handshake)
- Attend on-campus employer information sessions and Career Fairs
- Participate in essential workshops on topics including interviewing, job search strategies, interviewing techniques
- Stay organized; keep a log of your contacts
- Network, network, network
Parent’s Role:
- Ask your student how you can help
- Listen to the concerns and fears your student may express
- Offer to talk with your student about career goals and how his/her interests and skills relate to those goals
- Offer professional contacts for your student to network with (if you have them)
- Strongly encourage your student to attend the Fall and Spring Career Fairs
- Suggest your student make an appointment with their Career Services Counselor for final resume and cover letter critiques, job and graduate school application queries, and interviewing skills
- Be patient, listen and encourage your student without becoming frustrated
Career Services’ Role:
- Assist students in finding company and organizational information
- Host and recruit quality employers to attend the Fall and Spring Career Fairs
- Hold workshops on resume writing, interviewing skills, and how to prepare for Career Fairs
- Be available for one-on-one meetings with students to help them prepare for interview, Career Fairs, or to put final touches on resumes and cover letters
- Show students how to navigate Handshake while conducting a job search
- Hold mock interviews, and be available to provide effective feedback on how to improve interviewing skills