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Help Your Student Achieve Their Goals

This is an exciting yet challenging time in your student’s life. As a parent, you play an integral role. As they face big decisions, you can support them by being a non-judgmental and active listener, keeping an open mind to their ideas, and assisting them in finding relevant career information.

Three Ways to Spark Your Student’s Career Development

1. Encourage them to take a career assessment

A career assessment (FOCUS 2) will help students learn more about themselves—particularly their interests, skills, personality, and values. To get started with the FOCUS 2 assessment, please go to . The access code you will need is umary. Contact Career Services with any questions.

2. Challenge them to become occupationally literate

Suggest that your student research occupations that interest them, conduct informational interviews, or complete a job shadowing experience to help them determine whether that job could be a good fit. Talking with faculty or upper-level students in their areas of interest may also be helpful.

3. Emphasize the importance of internships and extracurricular activities

Internships are a great way to try different career fields before graduation; relevant experience is critical in a competitive job market. It's also vital for your student to become involved on campus, which is a great way to learn crucial interpersonal communication and leadership skills valued by employers.

Career Resources for Your Student

Career Services is here to support your students’ career development — encourage them to visit us to learn about the resources available. Some of these resources are listed below.