Parents Tips Checklist Parents and family members are an important part of a student’s career exploration process. Below are helpful questions to consider as you assist your son or daughter with his/her academic and career decisions.
Do I...
Allow my student the freedom to try new things?
Encourage my student to explore new ideas, experiences, majors, and occupations without suggesting my own preferences?
Engage with my student to find out his/her interests in JMU classes and majors?
Really listen to what my student tells me?
Tolerate ideas and values that are different from my own?
Discuss my own major exploration and job history?
Support my student when he/she makes poor decisions or fails while trying new endeavors?
Encourage my student to seek out JMU resources to better explore major/career options or overcome academic difficulty?
Encourage my student to consult with his/her advisors and professors on academic issues?
Refer my student to friends and acquaintances who might discuss their occupations with him/her?
Help my student look at his/her strengths and weaknesses objectively and suggest how they might relate to various majors or careers?
Praise my student on his/her positive strengths and accomplishments?
If you answered "No" to any of these questions, think about ways that you could modify the way that you interact with your son or daughter to acknowledge their transition into adulthood.
Adapted from the Parent Career Checklist developed by Morgan State University Center for Career Development.
