What is the role of the parent in the career development process?
Parents can be very helpful during each stage of their student's career decision-making process. An essential four-year plan, consisting of steps for optimal career development, is located on this web site - Career Development Process. In addition, please review the following information designed to assist your student through the stages of career development.
Stage 1: Assessing one's interests, skills, motivations, and personality.
Parents can encourage their son or daughter to visit the WFU Counseling Center for personality and skills assessments during their sophomore year. Parents can also provide feedback gained from their observations regarding their child's interests, skills, and personality.
Stage 2: Identifying and exploring career options as they relate to self-assessment.
Parents can encourage their student to read about and talk with people employed in careers of interest. In addition, they can support their studentin obtaining internships, volunteer, or part-time work experiences. Helping their son/daughter connect with people/experiences which will allow him/her to explore a career field is extremely beneficial.
Stage 3: The job/graduate school search.
During this stage, parents can act as motivators preparing their son/daughter to take action and continue moving forward. It is important that they encourage their son/daughter to begin the job search process EARLY in their senior year, by getting involved with the Career Services office. If the student is interested in going to graduate school, he/she should discuss graduate school plans with their academic adviser and prepare a back-up plan for finding employment.
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