Information
for Parents
Will my son or daughter
have a good job when they graduate?
When should they start their job
search?
What is the best way to conduct a job
search
Will
my son or daughter have a good job when they graduate?
The answer to that question primarily depends
on what your son or daughter does while in college, what
they plan to do after they graduate, and where they plan
to live. “The career prospects of individuals depend
on many factors besides having a college degree. These factors
include the local job market, the type of degree they have,
their level of experience and skill, and occupation they
are trying to enter.” (Occupational Outlook Quarterly
Winter 2004-05) Students must have in mind the type of employment
they will seek once they graduate in order to maximize their
college experience to prepare them for the job market. UAH
Career Services offers career counseling and testing to help
students identify occupations of interest. Students may then
set about gaining skills and experience to complement their
studies to make themselves more attractive to employers.
Employers are always in the market for top talent and students
become top talent by making good grades, developing leadership
skills, learning professional skills beyond the minimum,
and gaining relevant experience prior to graduation.
<< back to top
When
should they start their job search?
Students should register for employment assistance
with UAH Career Services 9 to 12 months before they graduate.
This way they begin receiving information from the office
about upcoming events and opportunities. Some companies will
only recruit on-campus in the fall and will recruit students
graduating in the fall and spring. A spring graduate who
waits until the spring to register will miss opportunities.
The average job search takes from 3 to 6 months so it is
a good idea to do as much of it as possible while the student
is still in school.
<< back to top
What
is the best way to conduct a job search?
“Regrettable, some of today’s less
informed jobseekers believe that the Internet has transformed
the job search into a nearly effortless process. They hastily
update their resumes and post them to several online databases.
These jobseekers then sit back and wait for an employer to
call. Most of them wait a long, long time-often in vain.
Even in the age of the Internet, a job search still requires
hard work. Having a plan, using multiple search methods,
and asking for help all increase the chances of success.” (Occupational
Outlook Quarterly Summer 2003) Students must invest themselves
in the job search activities – engaging in networking,
contacting employers, searching for job leads, applying directly
to employers - and not expect others to do the work for them.
Recently, Dale Dauten (Kate & Dale talk jobs King Features
Syndicate) stated that, “…one of the biggest
problems in trying to help people with job searches is the
lack of coachability. Most people rebel against the rigors
and discipline of a search done right.”
UAH Career Services offers excellent support
to assist your son or daughter in their job search. Students
have access to individual appointments and presentations
on resume writing, how to conduct a job search, and preparing
for interviews. Students who register with UAH Career Services
have access to their on-line account 24 hours a day and seven
days a week. Through their on-line account they may search
for jobs, apply for positions, and request interviews. UAH
Career Services refers between 6,000 and 7,000 resumes a
year to employers requesting resume referrals. We host three
job fairs each year as well as on-campus interview opportunities.
However, students must use and take advantage of these services
as part of their job search.
<< back to top
