Parent and Family Programs

Career Development

The career development process can be exciting, frustrating and life-changing; sometimes all at once. We encourage you to support your student and participate in the process.

Encourage your student to visit Career and Student Employment Services and

Register for BroncoJOBS, an online resources for campus jobs, career events and resources.
Encourage the FOCUS career and academic planning tools.
Use the O*Net occupational information.
Attend workshops on writing resumes and cover letters.
Participate in Practice Interview Day to hone interviewing skills.
Request individual career advising with professional advisors.

Be a career mentor

Share your career stories (good and bad) to help your student see the career path is not straight, and it can be unique for each person.
Tell your student what you see as his or her strengths, accomplishments and gifts.
Learn the majors at WMU and the career paths available.
Encourage your student to pursue services on campus in the first year.
Recommend that your student visit with an academic advisor prior to registration for each semester.
Take your student to work with you for a day.
Teach the value of networking. Help your student see the existing network of family, friends and others who may provide career insights; even summer jobs or internships.

Partner with the campus community

Participate in campus activities and visit campus when possible.
Use the parent resources available on Web pages and in print.
Contact the Career and Student Employment Services office to discuss how you can support your student’s career decisions.
Meet faculty, advisors and academic deans.
Offer jobs if you can—summer jobs, internships, co-op and entry level positions—for our graduates.

Visit the parent section of the Career and Student Employment Services Web page, or visit the career services offices on the 1st floor of Ellsworth Hall, weekdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or call (269) 387-2745.

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