Four-Year Plan for Parents/Guardians

Encourage your student to make grades a top priority. Suggest that your student to meet with each of his/her professors, academic advisor, and career advisor at least once during the first year
Talk with your student about the different campus clubs or activities that might match his/her interests
Encourage your student to explore the Career Services web site to become familiar with our services
Encourage your student to plan early to find a summer job or volunteer experience that may match her career interests
Provide your student with a folder to keep track of their activities, awards, and accomplishments
Encourage your student to become involved in campus activities and let them know about the student activities fair and service fair that take place in the fall
View your student's indecision as an opportunity to explore and grow and encourage him/her to complete an MBTI or Strong Interest Inventory interpretation

If your student is undeclared, encourage him/her to see an advisor in Career Services
Talk with your student about different career options and encourage your student to continue their involvement in clubs/organizations/jobs that target a specific interest
Help your student come up with a list of friends or relatives that may work in a field of interest and suggest that they set up informational interviews
Encourage your student to obtain career-related experience over the summer or to spend time researching companies they may want to work for
Promote the benefits of attending our Fairs as a way to explore the options. Inform us if your employer offers internships or would recruit at Champlain College

Encourage your student to get involved in and assume leadership roles in clubs/activities that will enhance his/her skill set
Support your student in their desire to study abroad. This will make them more marketable when they enter the work force
Strongly encourage your student to evaluate their on-line profiles and suggest they join a business-related social network such as LinkedIn
If your student is interested in attending Graduate or Law School right after college, encourage them to meet with Erin to get the exploration process started
Remind your student that it's never too soon to start looking for internship or summer job opportunities
If possible, take your student shopping and help them build a professional wardrobe
Encourage your student to save money and attend a professional conference in his/her field
Encourage your student to create a board of advisors (friends, family, faculty, orther contacts) to dialogue with over education, career, and life issues
Encourage your student to get assistance with his/her job search and participate in a mock interview at Career Services

Ask your student how you can help him/her this year
Suggest that your student attend a "Meet and Mingle" or business etiquette event in the fall or spring.
Encourage your student to update her/his resume and begin preparing a cover letter, thank you letter, and reference sheet
Once again, encourage your student to attend any fairs that match his/her interests
Encourage your student to get an early start on resume submissions and to know the hiring timeline for their field of desired employment
Continue to provide support and perspective when/if they get rejection letters

Career Services