Whether your child has had a clear career dream since kindergarten or still isn’t sure what they want to do, the first year of college is a time for exploration and growth. As a parent, your guidance, encouragement and perspective can play a key role in helping them develop confidence in their interests and direction.
Many students feel pressure to have their post-graduation career plans figured out on the first day. Remind your student that not knowing exactly what they want to do is normal and that clarity often comes through experience. Encourage your student to approach college as a time to discover what they’re good at, what they enjoy and how they want to contribute to the world.
Talking to your student about their interests, values and skills can help them begin to focus on a possible career path. It's important, though, that parents engage in that conversation from a position of openness and support versus one of tacit persuasion or nudging. If students feel like there's a career their parents want them to pursue, even if it doesn't exactly align with their interests or passions, then it will undermine the effort to get them to explore their own passion.
The first year is a great time for students to start exploring career interests through clubs, campus events, volunteering, part-time jobs, or informational interviews with professors or industry professionals. It is important to remember that each student adjusts to the new experience of life as a college student differently. Some students may be able to jump into shadowing or career exploration their first semester. Others may need more time to focus on settling in and being successful academically first.
We recommend that students begin to engage with career exploration and preparation resources as early as they are ready and on campus for the semester. The Career Center is a widely utilized resource for students throughout their time at Case Western Reserve University. Career Center staff and student interns can assist with everything from assessing competencies and career readiness, writing a resume or cover letter, exploring careers and majors to finding internships and jobs, and preparing for interviews. There are many programs offered as early as September, including the Career Fair on September 25.
Real-world experience is one of the best ways for students to test career interests and build skills. Even in the first year, students can find summer internships, job-shadowing programs, community service projects or research opportunities. Students can start to learn about the experiential education opportunities on and off campus right away!
Make sure that you celebrate progress, no matter how small it may seem. Students may make small but important career strides in their first year: networking with a professor, taking on a leadership role or attending a career panel. Celebrate these steps—they build confidence and clarity. Praise effort and curiosity: “I’m proud of you for stepping outside your comfort zone” goes a long way.
The path to a meaningful career isn’t always linear, and college is the perfect place to explore and grow. By being a supportive, open-minded and encouraging presence, you’re helping your student lay a strong foundation for their future, not just in terms of what they’ll do, but who they’ll become.