Parent’s Course in Career Planning Presented by Career Services Biola University

Overview of Seminar  Life Planning in the 21st Century  Career Planning Model  Overview of Career Services programs, services, and resources  Pitfalls to Avoid - Tips to Follow  Questions and Discussion

Life Planning in the 21st Century  More options than ever before  Constantly changing employment landscape  Employers expect experience in field of interest.  College is integration of personal, academic and career development  Focus on skills -- not just knowledge.

Career Planning Model EngageExplore Experience Embark

Engage  Focus on academic success, getting settled into college life and spiritual growth.  Gain self-understanding of personality, interests, skills and values.  Make connections and develop leadership through campus organizations.

Explore “College students spend more time researching car stereos than the choice of a career.”  Focus on choosing a major and exploring career options.  Utilize available resources to talk to people and research current, realistic information about occupations.  Prepare to make a decision about your initial career direction.

~~~Interlude~~~ Time to Make a Decision Decide on Initial Career Interests Decide on Type of Internship to pursue Decide on Professional Association to Join

Experience  Gain relevant experience in field of interest.  Use internships, part-time jobs, and volunteer opportunities to improve skills.  Write a resume, practice interviewing.  Begin to establish relationships in career field.  Solidify initial career direction.

Embark  Prepare for the transition to life after Biola.  Hone practical skills: job search strategies interviewing, networking, resume writing.  Attend professional functions, career fairs, and related networking opportunities  Actively begin job search or preparation for graduate school.

Goal….  For each student to have a good measure of understanding about:  The way God has designed them: unique personality, interests, skills, values, and strengths  Viable options for ways to contribute to this world and God’s kingdom  Strategies for moving toward those options.

How Can Parents Help?

Help your student grow in knowledge and awareness about themselves  What do they really enjoy? Care about?  Help them identify interests, key personality traits, skills they most like using.  Assist them in making a connection between their interests and abilities and career options.  Help them identify fields and functions that would be a fit.  Take initiative to bring up subject, ask questions and assist with resources and connections.

Help student grow in knowledge and experience with world of work  Sectors  Private sector: provide a product or service which produces profit. Divided into Industries/Fields  Government sector: provide oversight, safety and services to national, state and local community.  Nonprofit sector: provide services to community related to an issue or need: healthcare, education, hunger, world relief, public policy, violence…  Functions  Accountant, Human Resources, Educator/Trainer, Consultant, Counselor, Computer Specialist, Minister, Analyst, Writer/Editor, Make-Up Artist

Support students through Career Planning Steps  Familiarize yourself with career planning process  Discuss process and practical steps with them  Expose them to professionals, various work settings  Plan ahead! Check out special study programs, internships & summer opportunities.  Challenge your students. Raise the bar on your expectation.

Refer them to Resources  Career Services  Professors  Academic Advisors  Professional Associations  Professionals to talk with/learn from

Career Services Programs Services Resources

Programs and Services Career Counseling Workshops & Seminars Career Planning Class Career Assessments Career FairsCareer Library Resume Assistance Internship Assistance Mock Interviews Grad School Resources Job/Internship Listings On-Campus Recruiting WebsiteSpiritual Direction Faith Integration

Career Services Website Key source of information Check regularly

Career Services Resources for Direction, Decisions, Discernment Opportunity to Discover God’s Calling, Purpose, Gifts Place to pursue practical possibilities, explore ways to make a contribution in this world and in the kingdom of God

Concerns of College Students 1. Relationships 2. God’s Will 3. Career 4. Academics 5. Marriage

Common Pitfalls… …and How to Avoid Them  Keeping Options open too long  Avoiding practical experience  Sophomore Drift  Not utilizing resources Be Proactive to move toward a decision Plan on multiple internships Sophomore Shift - explore and experience One contact each semester/as needed

Changing Parent Roles  Changing from supervisor to advisor  Students need your support and involvement, but in a different way  Tricky transition  Ask students about life planning issues - majors, exploration of options, internships  Give them space to make mistakes  Prayer

When Should Students Go To Career Services?  Freshman  Freshman - Assessments, Major Selection, Part-time Jobs, Engage in skill development  Sophomore  Sophomore - Career Exploration and Internship Preparation Preparation, PT Jobs, Initial Career Direction  Junior  Junior - Career decision-making, Internship, Practical Tools - resumes, professional associations, interviewing, job search, graduate school information, grad test preparation  Senior  Senior - Career Action Plan, Job Search, Grad School Applications, Networking, Professional Associations, Transition from Biola

Job Search Timeline Sophomore & Junior summer have an internship in related field Begin job research 3 months prior Average of 6 months to secure a full-time job Recruiters prefer to give job offers in the Fall Graduate school is better with work experience

The Mission of Biola University Biblically-Centered Education, Scholarship and Service Equipping men and women in Mind and Character to Impact the World for The Lord Jesus Christ.

The mission of the Career Services is to assist students to discover and discern their callings in life and to make a successful transition into meaningful work and career.

Questions? Career Services