PRE-COLLEGE Student’s Role Prepare for entry into college Develop awareness of personal, educational and career goals Begin a list of paid or volunteer jobs and note whether or not you enjoyed them Make a list of courses or activities and note whether you enjoyed them or not Gather information about different colleges to select the right school for you Attend freshman orientation to learn more about his school of choice Parent’s Role Go through college information with your son or daughter and help sort out what is important Help your children choose the college that is going to best fit their (and your financial) needs Financial Aid If possible, attend freshman orientation with your child and talk about what you both have learned Career Services’ Role Present information to parents of in-coming freshmen through Orientation presentations Present information to in-coming freshmen through the web Thinking About College? FRESHMAN YEAR Student’s Role Develop a plan for the year by reviewing the Career Planning checklist for Freshman Year Orient yourself to The University of Montana Keep your options open as you explore the academic world Develop excellent study skills for college Become involved in a student activity or club Establish relationships with your academic advisor and faculty Plan your coursework for the time you will be at the university Investigate part-time jobs Earn While you Learn! Summer: obtain a summer job or volunteer experience Parent’s Role Encourage your student to make grades a top priority Encourage your son or daughter to meet with each of their professors and academic advisors at least once during each semester Talk about the different campus clubs or activities that might match their interests Encourage your student to use Griz eRecruiting to find a part-time job during the semester Encourage early planning to find a summer job or volunteer experience to match career interests Career Services’ Role Assist students in finding a part-time job through the use of Griz eRecruiting Assist students in finding a summer job or volunteer experience through the use of the web and books and announcements in the Career Resource Library SOPHOMORE YEAR Student’s Role Develop a plan for the year by reviewing the Career Planning checklist for Sophomore Year Explore your interests, values and skills and how they relate to the work world Learn about occupations and majors and make tentative choices Set short-term goals to explore alternatives in which you are interested Research different career options Start assessing your skills and knowledge Conduct informational interviews with professionals who work in the fields in which you are interested Learn to write a resume and interview effectively Investigate opportunities for internships and other career-related experiences through the Internship Services program Summer: Obtain an internship or career-related experience in order to "check out" potential career choice Parent’s Role If your student is undecided about their major or career choice, encourage them to see a counselor in Career Services Talk about the different career and major choices your student is considering. Listen and talk about why they are of interest Encourage them to follow their dreams and make the choices that fit, regardless if you think they are "sensible" Help come up with a list of your friends or relatives that may work in a field of interest that your student could contact for informational interviews Consider making the initial contact with your friends and setting up some informational interviews Encourage your student to obtain career-related experience over the summer Career Services’ Role Offer self-exploration assistance through the use of standardized assessments and career counseling Teach goal setting and decision making skills Connect the student with information about majors and careers in the Career Resource Library and on the web Assist the student in assessing their skills and knowledge as they relate to the work world Teach the student how to conduct informational interviews and contact professionals in the field through the Ask-an-Alum Program Familiarize the student with company/organizational information contained within the Career Resource Library, other local libraries, and the web Offer Interviewing Skills and Resume Writing Workshops and individual assistance Teach the student how to search for a career-related experience JUNIOR YEAR Student’s Role Develop a plan for the year by reviewing the Career Planning checklist for Junior Year Pursue major coursework Develop a file of career-related projects and references Develop marketable skills and enhancements to your degree Attend campus career fairs Hone resume writing and interviewing skills Reassess career goals including alternative career plans Begin to "network" through informational interviews with professionals in chosen fields Summer: Obtain an internship or career-related experience to gain professional skills Parent’s Role Encourage your student to take classes and get involved in activities that will enhance their academics and make them more marketable Talk about career goals and alternative plans Encourage attendance at UM's career fairs and any other information fairs on campus Provide "networking" contacts Encourage your student to obtain career-related experiences that are in line with their career goals Career Services’ Role Assist students in assessing their marketable skills and enhancements to their degree Host UM's career fairs Offer mock interviews and resume critiques Provide individual counseling to assist in assessment of career goals Assist student in choosing and applying for career-related experience SENIOR YEAR Student’s Role Develop a plan for the year by reviewing the Career Planning checklist for Senior Year Plan lighter course load; job searching takes time Research company information in the Career Resource Library and on the web Attend UM's career fairs and other career fairs Discuss career opportunities and plans with faculty, advisors, counselors and professionals in the field Select faculty, administrators and current/former employers to act as references; discuss interests, skills, personal strengths as related to the positions being sought Complete your file of career related projects Conduct your self-directed job search, concentrating on networking and applying for positions listed on Griz eRecruiting Take advantage of any opportunity to interview with employers on campus Research graduate/professional school information If applicable, take the graduate school admissions test and apply to graduate school Complete senior projects Stay organized; keep a log of your contacts, interview and follow-up activities Parent’s Role Ask your student how you can help Listen to the fears and concerns being expressed Offer to talk about their career goals and how interests and skills relate to them Offer to assist in pulling together names of useful people for your student to "network" with Encourage your student to attend UM's career fairs and any other fairs that match their interests Encourage your student to get assistance with his or her job search Talk about their graduate or professional school plans Listen, be patient and don’t worry Career Services’ Role Assist students in finding company and organizational information in the Career Resource Library, and on the web Host UM's career fairs Assist students in selecting references for job searching and applying to graduate school Offer Job Search Strategies Workshops and individual job search assistance Provide contact with companies that are hiring through campus interviewing Maintain listings of permanent positions through Griz eRecruiting

A Letter from Career Services Director ~ What Can Parents Do? ~ Links for Parents ~ Resources for Parents

Please feel free to contact our office for any additional information at 406.243.2022 or email us at careers@umontana.edu.