• Career planning (involves major/career exploration and selection, experiential education, graduate school planning) and

• Job search assistance (involves training and guidance on job search activities such as resume writing and interviewing, and connection to employers and employment opportunities.) These primary areas are complimented by professional development activities.

Familiarize yourself with our services
The easiest way to do this is through our website – studentservices.fgcu.edu/careers. In fact, while you’re there, feel free to sample our web-based career planning resources, MyPlan.com, which has four free assessments and a Career Match program. This may make for an interesting discussion with your student!

Understand the career decision-making process
First, keep in mind that students differ widely in their readiness to make these decisions. This can be an anxious and confusing time for them, but it can be an exciting and enjoyable experience as well.

• Be patient by giving them the time and space to better understand themselves. Typically, students can use their entire first year to explore majors and careers.
• Be supportive by encouraging open discussion. Ask questions to help them think through their decision, but don’t be too judgmental.
• But be practical. It can be helpful to have them set goals and create a timeline. Students need to be proactive and should be ready to invest careful thought and attention to this process.

Encourage your student to participate in an “Informational Interview” or “Job Shadowing” experience.
Students gather information about careers from a variety of sources, but television can be particularly influential in shaping perceptions. Before committing to a career field, a student should talk to professionals in the field to gain a more well-rounded view of the profession, and perhaps more realistic expectations.
Students can also use their Service Learning experience as a way to learn more about careers or fields of interest.

Encourage your students to attend our events.

• Each Fall, we help host a “Majors Fair” where students can speak to advisors and faculty from all the different academic programs. This will help them better understand the curriculum (and prerequisites), as well as hear about the kinds of jobs their graduates have taken.
• Each semester our office hosts a selected group of guest speakers to share their profession.  Students have the opportunity to ask questions and get practical advice about career options.  Some popular careers explored recently include: "green" jobs, and crime scene investigation. 
  
• For those students considering careers in the medical or legal field, it’s never too early to start preparing. Our Law School Fair and Medical Shadow Program are great opportunities to learn about school options and the applications process.
• Gaining work experience (in moderation), even if it is not in their field, is beneficial. We host our Part-Time Job Fair the second week of Fall semester, and welcome employers seeking part-time student workers and interns.
  

Encourage your students to immerse themselves in the FGCU experience
Student should join a club. Participate in intramurals. Write for the campus newspaper. Volunteer at a local elementary school. Many of these activities give them the opportunity to refine their skill sets, explore their interests, enhance their marketability to employers and graduate schools, and enrich their college experience.

1. They should have a goal in mind. What do they want to do, what industry do they want to work in, or what company do they want to work for? A “targeted” job search is usually more effective and efficient.
2. Plan time accordingly. Depending on their career field, it can take 3-6 months to land the job they want. Treat the job search like a job.
3. They should have a well-written resume, a strong cover letter template, and effective interview skills. This will enable them to effectively market themselves to employers.
4. Start building a network of contacts while in school. Most surveys indicate that the majority job seekers found their job through someone they know.
5. Be selective about what Internet job search sites they use. Some are better than others. And they should most certainly use the FGCU Career Service site, www.collegecentral.com/fgcu
6. Attend career fairs. It’s a great way to meet recruiters and make a personal connection.
7. Be prepared to conduct in-depth research on employers they are applying to.
8. Join the student professional association in their field, like the FGCU Advertising Professionals or the Nursing Student Association. This is a great way to network and learn about job leads.
9. Be organized and keep notes. They should keep track of which companies they applied to and who they sent resumes to and when.
10. Keep a positive attitude – persistence and passion is the key to an effective job search.

The goal of Career Development Services is to help your student prepare for and achieve their career goals and expectations. While we are not a “placement office,”encourage them to use our resources and meet with us so we can assist them with the job search process.

“You’re On Your Own (But I’m Here if You Need Me) by Marjorie Savage
(ISBN – 139780743229128)
Available in the FGCU Bookstore

A Career Planning Course for Parents [.pdf]