What career help do students want from family members?

Support

• Am I allowing my family member the freedom to have new experiences?
• Do I encourage the exploration of new ideas, experiences, occupations without being pushy?
• Am I willing to tolerate ideas and values which are different than my own?
• Do I really listen to what my family member tells me?
• Am I positive and supportive when my family member makes a poor decision or fails?

Information

• Do I talk openly and honestly about my current job, including both the pros and cons?
• Am I willing to discuss my own career development history?
• Do I tell my family member about various occupations?
• Do I encourage my family member to find out about occupations of interest, referring him/her to appropriate resources?

Personal Insights

• Do I help my family member to objectively look at his/her strengths and weaknesses and suggest how they might relate to various career areas?
• Do I compliment my family member on his/her good points and accomplishments?
• Do I help my family member identify occupations that he/she would be good at?

Contacts

• Am I willing to refer my family member to friends/acquaintances who might discuss their occupations with him/her?
• Am I willing to actively help my family member find a summer/part-time/volunteer job that will help him/her explore a potential career field?
• Would I be willing to allow my family member to use my personal/professional contacts to find employment after graduation?

Motivation

• Do I encourage activities that promote career development, while not emphasizing what has not been done?
• Am I willing to assist my family member in setting reasonable goals without insisting that my expectations be met?
• Do I ask questions that will encourage my family member's further career information-seeking behavior?

To receive assistance in answering these questions or to get assistance for your family member, come to the Career Center and speak to a career advisor.