We know that Parents and Families are also supporting their students, here find information for you to assist with their career journey.
Parents & Families
Career Questions for Conversations
As you check in with your student(s) we recommend you consider including these topics in your conversation.
- Being able to develop oneself through personal and professional learning, awareness and ability to articulate one’s strengths, values, and interests for your own clarity and decision-making and to communicate with others. This is foundational to helping connect your Gustavus experience to the world of work and to be able to articulate to others who they are and what kind of difference they want to make.
- Action: Ask your student what they are curious about and make a list of their skills and strengths. Encourage your student to connect with the Center for Career Development and take advantage of one of our self-assessment tools.
- Deep Dive: Take a Career Course
- Career Readiness: A .50 wellbeing credit class offered the second half of fall and spring semesters for a letter grade focuses on searching and gaining career related experiences (i.e. resumes, interviewing, etc.).
- Knowing career ideas of interest and the full range of opportunities available to them.
- Action: Help them to make a list of career areas to explore that relate to what they may be curious about or have skills/strengths in and utilize the resources below to explore the great variety of jobs and careers or by meeting with Career Development Specialists.
- Major Decision Guide
- What have Gustavus graduates done with their majors? Gustavus Graduation Outcomes by Major
- What do people in specific careers have to say? (Watch videos!) Candid Career
- What health careers are there? Explore Health Careers
- How can I learn about careers? Occupational Outlook Handbook
- How can I learn the requirements and pay of careers? O*Net
- What careers are possible with various majors? What can I do with this major? See 2 minute video about this resource
- Deep Dive: Browse Gustie alumni profiles by city, career, or major on LinkedIn or Introduce them to someone you know who works in their area of interest. Here are some tips on informational interviews for your student.
- Having a personal brand is the impression a person gives in-person, online, or on paper. A positive impression can help them get hired and build their network. Personal branding materials include résumés, LinkedIn and Handshake profiles, and a professional introduction and voicemail message.
- Action: Suggest your student create or update their résumés, LinkedIn and Handshake profiles – they can meet with a Career Development Specialist or Peer Career Advisor for help at any point.
- Deep Dive: Have your student(s) work on their professional introduction or “elevator pitch” – the 30 to 60 second introduction of who you are, what you are studying, and what qualifications or skills you have.
- Students may not like the term “networking” and so we try to talk about building connections or relationships with people who can cheer them on and offer information, perspective, and advice about careers, resources, or opportunities.
- Action: Encourage your student to create a LinkedIn Profile, review the LinkedIn Profile To Do List, and make 5-10 connections on LinkedIn. For additional support, your students can meet with a Career Development Specialist to hone their networking skills and identify unique opportunities. (HINT: Your student’s Career Development Specialist is a great person for them to connect with on LinkedIn!)
- Deep Dive: Encourage your student(s) to share their interests and ideas with their career champions – friends, family, neighbors, and professors. They may be able to connect your student with contacts and/or opportunities.
- Interviewing may be a new experience for many students. Reassure your student that with practice they will feel confident and they can learn to research companies and have thoughtful answers and questions for the interviewer.
- Action: Help your student create a list of five important experiences that highlight their skills and ability using the STAR method. Practice talking about these experiences in front of a mirror.
- Deep Dive: Encourage your student to practice interviewing with you or using Big Interview (our mock interview online tool) or by scheduling a mock interview with a Career Development Specialist on Handshake.
- Understand and demonstrate effective work habits and act in the interest of the larger community – this includes professional written communication skills.
- Action: Encourage students to be professional in all correspondence, especially in email.
- Deep Dive: Students can develop other professional skills in classes, student employment, an internship, and student organizations – and asking for specific feedback.
- Students can learn more about the great variety of jobs and careers by checking out the resources below or by meeting with a Career Development Specialist
- Major Decision Guide
- What have Gustavus graduates done with their majors? Gustavus Graduation Outcomes by Major
- What do people in specific careers have to say? (Watch videos!) Candid Career
- What health careers are there? Explore Health Careers
- How can I learn about careers? Occupational Outlook Handbook
- How can I learn the requirements and pay of careers? O*Net
- What careers are possible with various majors? What can I do with this major? See 2 minute video about this resource
- We know that career experiences (internships, career explorations, micro-internships, job shadowing, informational interviews, etc.) are a good way to learn about possible career paths and confirm to employers and graduate schools that a student has experience. Career receives internship opportunities from employers, faculty, alumni, and parents that are posted throughout the year on Handshake. Career Development Specialists are happy to help students with their search for career experiences. If students have questions about academic credit and internships can find more information here or January Interim career explorations for credit can find more information here. Students who are participating in underpaid or unpaid internships or engaged learning opportunities can apply for the Engaged Learning Fund.
- Encourage them to prepare search materials such as résumés (see above), cover letters, LinkedIn Profile, or practice and prepare for interviews. Students can prepare for interviews using Big Interview or by scheduling a mock interview with a Career Development Specialist on Handshake.
- Opportunities are posted throughout the year on Handshake. We also have internship and job fairs in the fall and spring that students can participate in. Networking is also an important endeavor for their job search so creating a LinkedIn Profile, reviewing the LinkedIn Profile To Do List, and making connections is important. For additional support, your students can meet with a Career Development Specialist to hone their networking skills and identify unique opportunities.
