Junior Parents

During the sophomore year and throughout the junior year, it is important for students to experiment with possible career options.  They can do this in a variety of ways:  internships, cooperative education programs, summer jobs, campus jobs, and responsible volunteer jobs on campus or in the local community.  This is a critical year for parental support and understanding.  How you can help:

  • Encourage your child to use the resources at the Career Development Center: Peer Consultants have had extensive training in resume and cover letter writing. If your student has not taken the 4-session JumpStart program on self exploration, career exploration, job & internship search techniques, networking, and interviewing skills, they should do so now. Advisement on job and internship searches for walk-ins is available. We provide advisement in pre-law and public interest programs.
  • Alumni Career Paths is a resource to show what other Bucknellians have done with their majors.  The Making Career Decisions is another resource to educate students about the world  & diversity of employment opportunities for each major.
  • Tell your student that you understand the importance of their gaining exposure to and experience in his or her field of interest. Broadening experience through involvement outside the classroom is a valuable use of time.
  • Internships or summer experiences in some competitive fields may be non-paying. A good opportunity may be in a distant location. Discuss financial expectations with your student before a commitment is made.
  • Do not conduct the internship or summer job search for your child. This deprives him or her of an important learning experience – and may make a poor impression on a future employer. It is helpful, however, to provide networking contacts or names of people.
  • If your son or daughter is interested in graduate school, the search for the appropriate programs should happen in the Junior year and some parts of the application process can be completed in the summer before Senior year (required tests, letters of reference).  Also research can be an important experience to take part in during the Junior year.  They should be talking with the appropriate advisor - either a faculty member assigned as the discipline advisor or the professional school advisors.  The pre-health advisor and pre-law advisor both work in the Career Development Center.  The MBA Advisor works in the department of Management.

For more information about workshops and events being offered by the CDC click here.

For more information on how to support your son/daughter click here.

For more information about the career development process and how you can play a role click here.

Contact Us with any questions.