Somewhere along the line, college parents and parent associations have dropped the ball. They have completely ignored their responsibilities for successful student employment. That's because most parents believe that the process of student employment has nothing to do with them. They've delegated this responsibility to the college and to the students. However, to greatly increase student employment success, parents can and should play a number of important roles in this process.
When parents are only concerned about the employment success of their own children, resources and results are limited. However, when an entire parent association is effectively mobilized, every student can reap the benefits. Here are a few ways that parents and parent associations can contribute.
Networking & Introductions - Since networking requires a network, parents must be willing to talk with and help students who are interested in their field of work and interests. Every parent has information, ideas and connections that college students need. When parents come together in a unified network, previously unknown networking opportunities will come to light.
Part-Time Employment Opportunities - Parents should investigate part-time, employment opportunities where they work and communicate them to the college career services office. Every employer seeks ways to keep their costs down.
Part -time employees do that. At the same time, students seek part-time jobs that allow them to gain pertinent experience and make a little money. It's a win-win situation that must not be ignored.
Tutoring, Coaching & Mentoring - Many parents possess the knowledge and skills needed to tutor, coach and mentor students, as they move through college.
Ask for volunteers and get started. It takes a highly effective parent association to coordinate and take advantage of this beneficial resource.
Professional Associations & Speakers - Students will benefit from attending meetings held by professional associations and listening to speakers on relevant topics. Parents can make these arrangements. Many parents belong to a professional association in their field of work. There is no reason why students can't attend as guests and do some networking. These same parents are also great sources for topical guest speakers. Why not tap this resource?
Company Tours - Students can greatly benefit from tours of job-related work areas. Since tours give students real world knowledge of what it's like to work in that environment, they can help to shape decisions about the future.
The more information students have, the better decisions they can make.
Mock Interviews - Practice interviews are an experience that every student needs. Many parents are experienced interviewers. Therefore, these parents can help by conducting practice interviews and critiquing student interview performance. This is an important role.
Teaching & Training - An effective job search requires extensive knowledge, many tools, much practice and an early start. To be effective, students must be taught what to do, how to do it and when to do it. To help the greatest number of students, qualified parents can be enlisted to teach and train students in these critical areas. The career services office can't do it all by themselves.
Full-Time Jobs After Graduation - Just like the role played by parents with regard to part-time work, the parent association should be instrumental in identifying full-time jobs for students who are about to graduate. Since many parents work for employers that interview and hire new graduates every year, some of those hires should be from your college.
Every parent at your college has something to contribute. Therefore, if your school can ever hope to dramatically increase the number of students who find employment success, it must discover and harness the talents and energies of your parent association. Yes, it will take a group of motivated and dedicated parent association leaders to make this happen. However, somewhere amongst you, there are parents who have the skills, abilities and willingness to take student employment success to a new level.
Will anyone in your parent association make this happen at your college?
Visit Bob's web site: www.The4Realities.com. Bob Roth is the author of ''The 4 Realities Of Success During and After College'' and ''The College Student's Guide To Landing A Great Job.''
