Career Planning Guide for Parents and Families

The career development process can be exciting, frustrating and life-changing; sometimes all at once. We encourage you to support and participate in the process.

Encourage your student to visit Career & Student Employment Services

• Register for BroncoJOBS, an online resources for campus jobs, internships and career-related events
• Take FOCUS career and academic planning assessments on line.
• Try the O’Net, occupational information:  O*Net Online
• Attend workshops on writing resumes and cover letters
• Participate in Practice Interview Day to hone interviewing skills
• Request individual career advising with professional advisors 

You can be a career mentor

• Share your career stories (good and bad) to help your student see the career path is not straight, and it is unique to each person
• Tell your student what you see as strengths, accomplishments and gifts; provide encouragement to pursue these things
• Learn the majors at WMU and the career paths available: Undergraduate Programs
• Take your student to work with you for a day
• Teach the value of networking; help them see their existing network of family, friends and others who may provide career insights; even summer jobs or internships.

Partner with the campus community

• Participate in campus activities and visit when possible
• Use the parent resources available on web pages and in print
• Contact the Career & Student Employment office to discuss how you can support your student’s career decisions
• Meet faculty, advisors and academic deans
• Offer jobs if you can; summer jobs, internships, co-op and entry level positions for our graduates

To begin, visit the parent section of our Web page or stop in, 1st floor Ellsworth Hall, Western Michigan University. (269) 387-2745.