Supporting Your Students in Career Planning

Whether your student is in their first year at Fisher, preparing to graduate in May, or somewhere in between, Career Services with the Center for Career and Academic Planning offers a comprehensive range of resources to assist students throughout their career journey.

From résumé-building and LinkedIn to interview practice and job search strategies, Career Services offers students everything they need to succeed post-career fair. The Center’s newly designed website features a vast repository of resources including HandShake, the “What Can I Do With This Major” tool, and more.  Students can access the website from the mySJF intranet.    

Resources for First-Year Students

As your first-year college student settles into this exciting journey, you might be wondering how they can begin thinking about their future career. It’s a big leap from high school to college, and it’s natural for them to feel uncertain about their career path. During First-Year Seminar, Career Services guides students through three resources that can help them make informed decisions about their major and career goals.

Explore the “What Can I Do With This Major?” Tool: Choosing a major can feel like a huge decision, especially when students are unsure about the career opportunities it might lead to. “What Can I Do With This Major?” is an online resource designed to help students explore the many possibilities connected to different fields of study. This tool breaks down each major, offering insights into potential career paths, industries, and employers that typically hire graduates in specific areas.  It also provides practical advice on gaining experience, such as internships, co-ops, and volunteer opportunities that complement academic work. Students can access this tool from our newly updated website through the  mySJF intranet  or through Handshake’s Resources. 

Create a College-level Résumé: In First-Year Seminar, your student will learn how to craft a strong résumé that reflects their experiences, skills, and academic achievements. Even if they don’t have extensive work experience yet, Career Services will teach them how to highlight relevant coursework, leadership roles, volunteer work, and extracurricular activities.

Introduce the Career Action Plan: The Career Action Plan is a roadmap that helps students think ahead about their professional goals, explore career options, and develop key skills. This plan will be introduced to students early in their college experience, giving them a framework for proactive career exploration throughout their academic journey. The Career Action Plan encourages students to reflect on their interests, set realistic goals, and take steps each semester—such as building a network, engaging with internships, or attending career fairs—that will lead to success after graduation.

How You Can Support Your Student

Your support is vital in helping your student navigate these early stages of career exploration. Here are a few ways you can encourage them:

• Ask questions about their First-Year Seminar class and what they’ve learned from Career Services. This will show them you’re engaged in their academic and career journey.
• Encourage them to explore “What Can I Do With This Major?” This resource can provide new ideas and help them feel confident about their choices.
• Suggest they schedule a one-on-one appointment with Career Services. Career coaches can provide personalized advice, help them update their résumé, and offer tips for gaining experience.

By starting career exploration now, your student will have the tools they need to confidently navigate their academic and professional future.

Five “Next Steps” for Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

The Fall Career Fair was an exciting opportunity for students to network with employers and learn about potential career paths. However, the work doesn’t stop now that the fair is over. The post-career fair follow-up is a crucial step in the search process, and you can play an important role in encouraging your student to make the most of their connections. Below are five key follow-up actions your student can take, along with tips on how you can support them during this process.

1. Encourage Prompt Follow-Up: One of the most impactful actions your student can take is to send thank you emails to the recruiters they met. This simple gesture demonstrates professionalism and leaves a positive impression. Encourage your student to send these emails, making sure they are personalized to each recruiter and mention specific details from their conversation.
2. Review Notes and Refine Their Résumé: After speaking with multiple recruiters, your student likely gathered valuable feedback about their résumé or experience. Remind them to review their notes and consider refining their résumé based on this advice. If a recruiter suggested emphasizing a particular skill or experience, updating the résumé promptly can make a big difference in future interactions.
3. Connect on LinkedIn: Encourage your student to connect with recruiters on LinkedIn, as building professional relationships that could lead to future opportunities. Advise them to craft personalized messages when sending connection requests, referencing specific conversations from the Career Fair.
4. Apply for Opportunities: Many employers attending career fairs will encourage students to apply for open positions. Urge your student to follow through by submitting their applications promptly. A well-organized application strategy, where students tailor their cover letter and résumé to the companies they spoke with, can increase their chances of being noticed.
5. Stay Organized for Future Follow-Up: Following up is not just about sending thank you emails—it’s also about staying organized for future opportunities. Encourage your student to maintain a list of companies they interacted with, key takeaways from their conversations, and any follow-up actions or deadlines. This organization will make it easier to continue their job search and networking efforts in the weeks and months ahead.

By taking these steps, your student will maximize the opportunities and set themselves up for long-term success. Your encouragement can make all the difference as they navigate the next phase of their career journey!