You can influence your student’s career development
These days college students are not only competing for jobs with other graduates, but with the growing number of unemployed experienced workers as well. Fewer career opportunities mean that your student’s dream job may not be on the horizon immediately. Your support and encouragement are crucial as they look toward the future and consider plan B options.
Your greatest contribution will be to:
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- Understand the current job market
- Offer support through the process
- Encourage them to gain experiences in their field of study
- Connect them with people, places, and professionals
- Help your student take ownership of their career. Utilize the Career Parent Portal
For more information, call Career Services at 304-696-2370 or email us.
Explore Career Options by Major
Choosing a major is an important step in your student’s career development. As a parent or family member, you can help your student explore career options and learn how their major can connect to future jobs.
The What Can I Do With This Major? website provides information about common career paths, potential employers, and ways students can gain experience related to their field of study.
Explore What Can I Do With This Major?
Please encourage students to do the following:
First Year
- Encourage your student to visit the Office of Career Education to take a Career Assessment to learn about career interests, abilities, and values
- Have your student connect with Career Education about their Handshake account information
- Have your student create a first draft resume and upload to Handshake
- Discuss the value of connecting with professors and advisors
- Talk to your students about getting involved in campus organizations, activities, and volunteer activities.
Second Year
This is the critical year for setting career goals, selecting a major, and becoming more involved in campus activities.
- Let your student know the importance of declaring a major
- Encourage your student to attend the career expos to network with recruiters and explore job opportunities
- Focus on achieving or maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA
- Encourage your student to join and attend student organizations meetings that relate to your major and career field
- Volunteer on and off-campus and Job shadow for career exploration experiences
- Meet with their academic advisor and continue to develop good relationships with professors
- Obtain summer and/or part-time jobs that relate to chosen major
- Meet with a Career Coach to update their resume
Third Year
Gain professional skills and experience through internships, volunteering on and off-campus, and taking leadership roles in campus organizations.
- Encourage your student to secure an internship related to their field of study
- Be a leader and practice communication skills, problem-solving skills in class, and in student clubs
- Continue to keep GPA above a 3.0
- Have the Office of Career Educations assist with updating their resume and practice interviews
- Attend networking events and utilize the Marshall Mentoring Network
- Find and develop professional references
- Purchase proper business attire for interviews and attend career expos in the Fall and Spring
Fourth Year
Fine-tune professional skills and make a self-marketing plan. Encourage your students to start early.
- Prepare a final resume with good references
- Make job search a priority before graduation time
- Talk with your student about finding and attending events that will provide networking opportunities
- Encourage attendance at Career Expos on campus to seek employment opportunities
- Sign up for on-campus interviewing opportunities & company information sessions
- Practice interviewing, either virtually on Interview Stream or in-person through the Office of Career Education