A PARENT’S GUIDE TO CAREER
DEVELOPMENT
Carol Dougherty, M.S. LPC
Director of Career Development
CHOOSING A CAREER OR MAJOR
Parents are an important influence
 Many choices – accountant, teacher, nurse,
journalist, marketing, performer, attorney, social
worker, police officer
 Many factors to consider – job market demand,
skills and aptitude, salary ranges, career values,
personality traits
 Ultimately, the decision belongs to your son or
daughter.

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Career decision-making is a process which takes
place throughout the college years and beyond.
1. Assess skills, interests, values and abilities
2. Explore majors and career options
3. Experiment with different options
4. Make a decision based on self-knowledge and
career information
5. Organize a job or graduate school search
TIPS FOR PARENTS
Listen; be open to ideas, try to help your student
find information and provide emotional support
 Affirm the skills and abilities he or she has
consistently demonstrated. Encourage your
student to do his/her best in classes, and also to
get involved in school activities.
 Challenge and assist your student to become
“occupationally literate” – to understand how
their skills, interests and personal traits relate to
different careers.
 Be non-judgmental when your student expresses
his/her own opinions in decision-making process.

SOME COMMON MYTHS


A student must major in something “practical or
marketable:. Reality: Students should follow
their own interests and passions.
Picking a major means picking the career you
will have forever. Reality: Many students change
majors after gaining more information about
specific fields of study and careers. It is okay to
change majors – and career choices. Today’s
changes in the economy and technology will lead
to many new paths along the way.
MAJORS OF FAMOUS PEOPLE
Art Garfunkel
 Barbara Walters
 Janet Reno
 Dr. Martin Luther King
 Bruce Lee
 Natalie Cole
 Willard Scott
 Teri Hatcher
 Sally Ride
 Kevin Kostner

Mathematics
English
Chemistry
Sociology
Philosophy
Child Psychology
Religious Studies
Math/Engineering
English
Marketing/Finance
MARKETABLE SKILLS
Encourage students to develop strengths in some of
the following areas:
 Communication skills – oral and written
 Quantitative skills
 Computer skills
 Marketing and selling skills
 Scientific skills
 Leadership skills
 Foreign language skills – study abroad
OTHER QUALITIES EMPLOYERS WANT
Teamwork skills
 Honesty and integrity
 Motivation and initiative
 Work Ethic
 Adaptability
 Attention to detail
 Creativity
 Self-confidence
 Entrepreneurial skills
 Sense of humor
(National Association of Colleges and Employers)

RESOURCES
Career Development Office
career counseling and guidance
internship and co-op information
workshops, career fairs, and other programs
 Career Development Website
www.neumann.edu/career-development.asp
 Faculty and Advisors
 Alumni
 Family and Friends
 Mentors

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION
OPPORTUNITIES
Service-Learning
 Teaching Observations
 Student Teaching
 Clinical Experience: Nursing, Athletic Training
 Co-ops and Internships
 Most students will have the chance to “test drive”
their career choices through these experiential
opportunities.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Carol Dougherty
Director of Career Development
Room 100, Bachmann Main Building
610-558-5537
cdougher@neumann.edu
Kathy McCauley
Coordinator of Experiential Education Programs
610-558-5527
mccaulek@neumann.edu