Parents as Partners: Identifying an appropriate role for parents in

career exploration and planning

Heather FredricksonCareer Professional

Marjorie SavageParent Program Director

Background

What Parents Want from College

• Student to graduate:– In four years– With a useful degree that will lead to a job

• Student to be prepared for the future:– Mature– Independent– With a plan for what’s next

Background

Reasons for Involvement• Parents are told to be involved• Financial impact of a college

education• Technology makes communication

easy• Students initiate involvement

Background

Parents Greatest Concerns • Health & Safety 22.7%• Academics 19.8%• Career Planning 18.0%• Finances 13.9%• Personal Relationships 7.0%• Involvement Oppor. 2.3%• Other/none 16.1%

Background

What Students Ask Parents About • Finances 30.6%• Career Planning 19.7%• Academics 12.5%• Health/Safety 8.2%• Personal Relationships 7.3%• Involvement Oppor. 1.6%• Other/none 21.0%

BackgroundParents Whose Greatest Concern is Career Planning

•Freshmen Parents 5.8%•Sophomore Parents 16.0%•Junior Parents 23.0%•Senior Parents 42.3%

0.00%

5.00%

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35.00%

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45.00%

Frshmn Soph Junior Senior

Percent

BackgroundQ: On What Topic Are Students Asking Most Advice?

A: Career Planning• Freshmen 11.4%• Sophomores 15.7%• Juniors 23%• Seniors 40.5%

0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

30.00%

35.00%

40.00%

45.00%

Frshmn Soph Junior Senior

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University of Minnesota Parent Poll

Who do you think has had the greatest influence on your student's career decisions so far?

– 41.8% said mother– 24.9% said father– 15.5% said teacher– 10.9% said college adviser/counselor– 0.8% said high school guidance counselor– 2.6% said employer– 3.4% said other, including individual decision, both parents, friends/family friends, grandparents/other

relativesN=337; University of Minnesota online parent poll, July 2007

University of Minnesota Parent Poll

Do you expect your student to go to graduate school after completing an undergraduate degree?

11.7% said no 43.8% said yes, right after earning a bachelors degree23.1% said yes, but not until he/she works for a year or two20.1% said maybe, but not in the immediate future0.9% said I don't know N=685University of Minnesota online parent poll, July/August 2006

University of Minnesota Parent Poll

How much influence do you think—as a parent—should have on your student’s career choice?

– 2.8% said a lot– 37.7% said some– 35.1% said a little– 21.3% said very little– 3.1% said noneN=738; University of Minnesota online parent poll, August 2007

Desired Outcomes of Parent InvolvementFamilies contribute to student success by Understanding the student experience and

knowing about resources available at the University of Minnesota.

• Communicate through print and e-mail newsletters

• List resources, FAQs, “issues of the month” on Parent Web site

• Schedule parent events—Move-In receptions, Parents Weekend

Desired Outcomes of Parent InvolvementFamilies contribute to student success by Supporting the University’s goals for student

learning outcomes• Promote Student Outcomes at Orientation, in

communications• Couch answers to parent questions in terms

of student learning• Base parent services on Student Success, not

parent interests• Provide information on policies, typical

procedures

Desired Outcomes of Parent InvolvementFamilies contribute to student success by Knowing when to step in to help their student and

when to empower their student to take responsibility

• Provide information on FERPA (http://www.parent.umn.edu/ferpa.html) and HIPAA (http://www.ahc.umn.edu/privacy/hipaa/home.html)

• Make parent access to information easy—when students authorize it

• Provide information for parents on key health/safety issues (examples: alcohol, mental health)

• Publicize emergency numbers, resources

Desired Outcomes of Parent InvolvementFamilies contribute to student

success by Developing an affinity for the University of

Minnesota• Acknowledge parent investment in the

institution• Promote campus events• Call on parents as volunteers

(appropriately!)

Parent/Student Tensions

• Changing plans

• Career possibilities of selected major

• Cultural expectations– Types of careers that are acceptable– Decision-making as a community process– Separation of career and personal interests

• Fear of disappointing family

First Year…In Class Message from Career Services• Career Professionals present in every

Orientation Class (and at Orientation)• Get involved, try different things, set goals

that will help you figure out who you are and what you like and what you don’t like…

First Year Parent Message

• Many students change their major, don’t worry about it.

• Have you been to your career center to learn more about options for you?

• Get involved on campus to help you determine where your interests lie.

Second Year…Individual Career Appointment by MajorEach Career Professional e-

mails students individually to encourage an appointment.

• Brainstorm options that fit with your self assessment and career ideas:

• Study or Work Abroad• Possible Internships• Mentor Program• Career Fairs• Get to Know Your Faculty

Second Year Parent Message

• Have you had your individual appointment with your career counselor?

• What have you liked in your classes?

• What have you liked outside of class?

Third Year…Take The Strategic Career Planning Class.

CFAN4201 Strategic Career Planning for Juniors & Seniors

• Line up your Internship or Study/Work Abroad.

• Gain experience in your field if you haven’t already!

Third Year Parent Message

• Would you like me to give you names of people I know that work in the areas you are considering?

• Are you taking a career planning class?

• How does your resume look?

Fourth or Fifth Year…In The Career Center and at Various Career FairsCareer Professionals work

individually with students as they fine tune their career goals.

Identify what you are interested in (right now) and go for it!

• Networking• Effective Interviewing• Targeted Materials

Fourth or Fifth Year Parent Message

• Have you thought of how to get related experience before you graduate?

• Have you been to the Career Center, or looked for jobs on GoldPASS?

Sum It Up!

• Parents have a legitimate interest in their student’s career planning

• It’s helpful to parents if we explain how we work with students on career decisions

• They will support and reinforce our career messages to students when they know what we’re saying and why we’re saying it

• We all want the same thing: a mature, responsible graduate who is career ready

Contact Information

Marjorie SavageParent Program Director

Phone: 612-626-9291, e-mail: mbsavage@umn.edu

Web site: www.parent.umn.edu

Parents Guide to Career Planning: http://www.parent.umn.edu/workshops.php#career

Heather FredricksonCareer Professional

Phone: 612-625-9247, e-mail: hfredric@umn.edu

Web site: www.stpaulcareers.umn.edu