PARENT Q & A
As the parent of a Waynesburg University student, you may have questions about your son or daughter’s career path. The following top ten questions asked by parents may help you find an answer to some of those burning questions.
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Q1. When should my son or daughter begin utilizing the Career Services Office?
Career Services invites students to use our services at any time-as a prospective student considering attending Waynesburg College, as freshmen trying to decide what major to select, as sophomores deciding whether to perform an internship, as juniors deciding on graduate school, as seniors seeking assistance with a job search, as alumni considering a career change. We recommend that students form a relationship with our office as early as possible. We can help walk students through the significant steps that are taken during college, helping the student make good choices to prepare for a career or graduate school after college.
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Q2. What should be my son or daughter’s major?
Often, college majors do not translate into specific career fields. We encourage college students to choose classes and a major that they enjoy. All students graduating from Waynesburg will learn analytical, critical, thinking, problem solving, and verbal and written communication skills that will serve them well in a variety of professions. Since workers in today’s economy change professions an average of seven times, it is valuable for student to learn broad skills, not just be trained in a narrow profession. However, our office is informed about what professions are in highest demand at any given time.
In order to help student decide on fields with which they may be compatible, the Career Services Office and the Counseling Center offers the following career assessment tools: Discover (computer assessment program), the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and Strong Interest Inventory, Career and Life Planning Course, and Strategies for Academic Success Course.
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Q3. What if my son or daughter doesn’t know what career to pursue?
Many college students are unsure about what job they would like to pursue. The Career Services Office will meet with students individually to discuss their interests and potential options. Career assessments-Discover, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory-can assist in this process.
We encourage students to participate in internships while at Waynesburg College so that they can try out various careers. Informational interviews or job shadowing with people involved in a profession can give students a better idea about the realities of the work in various careers. We have many successful alumni that would be more than willing to work with your son/daughter.
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Q4. How does having a liberal arts background affect my son or daughter’s career?
Since most of today’s undergraduates will change careers multiple times over the course of their professional lives, the emphasis on critical thinking, creative problem solving, and verbal and written communication skills as well as a broad background in a wide variety of subjects will equip the liberal arts student well. Liberal arts colleges instill a love of learning and curiosity in a range of disciplines, giving the liberal arts student a solid foundation for a variety of careers.
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Q5. What is an internship, how important are internships and how can my son or daughter find an internship?
An internship is a monitored work experience that establishes a balance between the intern’s learning goals and the employer’s needs. Internships can be part-time or full-time; during the spring, summer, or fall semester; paid or unpaid; for-credit or non-credit. Internships are very important for several reasons:
* They help students determine if they will enjoy a job in their field after graduation.
* They provide valuable, real-world work experience that enhances a resume.
* They serve as a foot-in-the-door for job openings, or at least can result in a positive recommendation for a job after graduation.
* According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), internships are employers’ #1 method of recruiting new hires.
Our office keeps a listing of open internships and sites that utilize our students for interns. Students are encouraged to check the listing, stop in our office for updates, and check with friends and relatives for networking opportunities in seeking internships.
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Q6. How can my son or daughter find a job after graduation?
We are available to meet with Waynesburg University students and alumni to plan and strategize how to find a job after graduation. We will critique cover letters and resumes, conduct mock interviews, and equip students with a variety of career searching techniques.
Waynesburg University students and alumni have access to job postings through the link ’Job Opportunities’ above. Our office receives postings daily that are added to this site. We are available for walk-ins Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. during the school year.
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Q7. Should my son or daughter go to graduate school? What can they do to prepare?
Some students need a break from school after graduating from college. It is important for students to begin graduate school well-rested and motivated. Students can consult with our office regarding timing for graduate school.
Students who are interested in graduate school should meet with faculty in their discipline of interest to discuss graduate school options. Our office can assist the students with general graduate school admissions, but faculty will have the inside scoop into their filed. Students should research various graduate programs to discover the admissions requirements (many business schools, for example, require full-time work experience prior to applying). We have helpful information in our office about graduate school and the graduate entrance exams.
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Q8. How can parents and family members help with the job search process?
Support of loved ones during the career exploration process is important for students. Parents and family members can speak with students about their interests and encourage them to explore various areas of study and career options. If your son or daughter is interested in a career and you know someone who works in that profession, offer to arrange an informational interview or a job shadow day. Also, encourage your son or daughter to visit the Career Services Office to take advantage of our services. Any parent or family member with questions about career exploration or the job search process is also invited to contact our office.
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Q9. What do employers look for in a candidate?
Employers generally seek motivated candidates who are equipped with verbal and written communication skills and possess leadership and teamwork attributes. Employers consider a candidate’s academic background, appearance, professionalism, experience (including work, internship, and volunteer/service), and a demeanor during the interview. Employers appreciate candidates who demonstrate initiative by placing a follow-up call after applying for a position, sending a thank-you note following an interview, etc. They want tot see that a candidate is genuinely interested in the position rather than sensing that a candidate applied for twenty different positions in hope of receiving any job. We encourage students to work with our office to learn these skills and to practice interviewing.
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Q10. My employer may be interested in hiring Waynesburg University graduates. How can I be linked with qualified Waynesburg University students and alumni who are seeking jobs?
As parents and professionals, you are a great resource both to your own family as well as to other Waynesburg University students and alumni. You can provide internships within your organization or encourage those who make such decisions to do so. You can promote Calvin at your workplace and encourage on-campus interviewing to help establish a relationship between Waynesburg and your employer. You can also advise our office of job openings so that we can post them on our web site.
If you have a more specific question, please feel free to contact us! Our contact information can be found by clicking here.
