Parents and Family

Whether you are sending your first, second, or fifth child to college, it can be a tough time for parents. You want to help your student get the best experience out of his or her years here, but maybe you don't know how. Here are some resources to help you and your student:

Getting Experience
Some websites for finding internships:
internships.com
Regional Internship Center of Southwestern PA
Federal internship programs

Job Search Videos
We provide video snippets to our students to fine-tune their job search/interviewing skills.

 

Occupation Outlook
The Bureau of Labor Statistics organizes the annual Occupational Outlook Handbook information on the job market by field of study, types of jobs, and location.

Salary Information
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Salary Calculator tool for obtaining accurate and reliable wage information based on education, experience, and location.

Post-Education
Information about selecting graduate schools.

Moving

Virtual Relocation offers extensive information for relocation.

 

The 4-Year Plan:

Many students don't think of the CDC until their senior year when it's time to to get ready for graduation and getting a job or going to graduate school. In reality, we'd like to see students visit our office as early as their first year so we can begin to build a relationship with them and help them throughout the career development process. It really is a 4 (or maybe even 5) year process. Waiting until the last month of their undergraduate studies can cause unnecessary stress. So use this plan when talking with your student about his or her professional goals:

First Year: Awareness
Goal: Become aware of career options related to your initial/tentative major.
* Activate your CareerConnect profile to search/apply for jobs/internships. Sign up to receive text alerts.
* Obtain part-time work or volunteer in a work setting of career interest.
* Utilize FOCUS 2, a career exploration software program (accessible through the Career Development website), and our What Can I Do With This Major? File. Take a skill, values, and/or interest assessment of Focus 2.
* Attend the Career/Job Fair at the MAC to identify emerging trends in many fields (3rd Thursday of March).
* Participate in activities and clubs to explore/expand your interests.
* Talk to a variety of upper-class students about majors in which you are interested.
* Take a variety of classes and/or read the Mercyhurst University course listing to learn about various majors.
* Evaluate past jobs and classes. What did you like or dislike about them?
* Speak with Mercyhurst Alumni to learn about their professions.
* Talk to family and friends about their careers.

Sophomore Year: Exploration
Goals: Determine preliminary major and career choice. Prepare for an internship.
* Utilize CareerConnect to search for jobs and internships.
* Talk with upper-class students who have had an internship.
* Ask other students in your major about their career plans.
* Attend the Career/Job Fair at the MAC (3rd Thursday of March) to explore internship possibilities and/or summer and part-time jobs.
* Obtain part-time work or volunteer in a work setting of career interest.
* Speak with a Career Development Counselor about career choices.
* Participate in Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Interviewing Skills and Job Search Webinars.
* Request new duties at a part-time job.
* Take a leadership role in a club or activity.
* Use FOCUS 2 to identify prerequisites for majors/careers you’re considering.
* Utilize the internet to locate jobs and internships. Use social media sites like LinkedIn to network with professionals in your field. Seek their assistance to secure a job or internship you want.
* DECLARE A MAJOR! Maybe a minor too!

Junior Year: Experience
Goals: Confirm your career choice. Consider graduate school. _
* Utilize CareerConnect to search for jobs and internships.
* Attend the Career/Job Fair at the MAC (3rd Thursday of March) and other area job/teacher fairs.
* Obtain part-time work or volunteer in a work setting of career interest.
* Begin to consider what work environment is best for you, i.e. small city, fast-paced, corporate, small business, etc.
* Narrow your job search focus to specific companies and geographic locations of interest to you after graduation.
* Become affiliated with a professional organization in your field of interest.
* Participate in an informational interview and/or shadowing experience with a Mercyhurst Alumni.
* Secure an internship.
* Utilize the internet to locate jobs and internships. Use social media sites like LinkedIn to network with professionals in your field. Seek their assistance to secure a job or internship you want.
* Consider graduate school-begin application process, obtain letters of reference. Be aware of test dates, etc.
* Attend a Graduate School Fair in the fall.

Senior Year: Choice
Goals: Finalize your career choice. Establish networking contacts. Transition from student to prospective employee or graduate student.
* Attend the Career/Job Fair at the MAC (3rd Thursday of March), other area career fairs, teacher job fairs.
* Narrow your job search focus to specific companies you wish to work for and different geographic locations you would want to relocate to.
* Secure a fall, winter, or spring internship.
* Complete graduate/professional school application process.
* Attend Job Search Techniques and Interviewing Skills Webinars.
* Utilize the internet to locate jobs and internships. Use social media sites like LinkedIn to network with professionals in your field. Seek their assistance to secure a job or internship you want.
* Participate in Mercyhurst’s On-Campus Recruiting Program.
* Use CareerConnect to search/apply for jobs and internships.
* Interview with prospective employers.