Q: What is the career development process?
A: The career development process can be broken down into four steps:

1. Self-Assessment
-Begin the process of self-awareness by identifying your transferable skills, interests, and values.
-Explore and define your leadership potential.
-Enhance positive work attitudes and skills.

2. Exploration
-Explore and investigate possible majors and career options.
-Take responsibility for your life and career planning.
-Learn about organizations, functional areas, and sectors of the economy in which you may be interested.

3. Evaluation and Decision Making
-Evaluate and make preliminary decisions based on knowledge about yourself, your experiences, values, and career and life goals.
-Gain added experience and confirm or change your career choice.
-Consider graduate or professional school options.

4. Implementation
-Focus on a chosen field and begin hunting for jobs, applying to graduate school, or both.
-Establish contacts in a career field and/or at graduate school.
-Make a successful transition from student to employee or graduate student.

Visit the career development process portion of our student site for more information and resources.

Q: When is the optimal time for my son or daughter to begin using the Career Center?
A: While needs vary from student to student, our counselors would like to get to know your son or daughter individually as early as possible-- within the first year is ideal. Becoming acquainted with our resources and services early on benefits the students immensely. They are better prepared to take advantage of Career Exploration visits and find internships, jobs, or post-graduate options that fit with their interests, skills, and values.

Q: As a parent, how can I help my son or daughter plan the next step?
A: Here are a few suggestions:

• Listen
• Ask helpful, insightful, and open-minded questions-- not ones requiring only a "yes" or a "no" answer or leading the conversation where you would like it to go.
• Be constructive and affirming of your son or daughter.
• Don't judge or jump to conclusions.
• Be ready for unexpected responses and ask for more details.
• Share your experiences when appropriate.
• Encourage your son or daughter to utilize the Career Center's resources online and on-site, to do a career exploration, or to find an internship.
• Help find more information or provide the contact information for people you know working in the field in which your child's interest lies. Find people willing to answer questions and perhaps even host your student for a day on the job.
• Offer to help brainstorm achievements for the first draft of a résumé (a career counselor should look over the second draft), and to sit down for a practice interview session.

Q: What are Career Explorations?
A: Through the Career Center's Career Exploration program, students observe alumni in their places of employment, giving them an inside look at career fields. Visit this page of our site for more information.

Q: Why are internships valuable?
A: Internships provide work experience and evidence of skills, which often prove to be the key to landing a good job right after graduation. Students can also spend time abroad or earn money and credit through internships. Visit our internships page for more information and valuable links.