Parents FAQ's
The purpose of Career Services is to help the students and alumni of Centenary College identify and fulfill their career goals. Career Services serves as the bridge between the students’ college experience and employment or graduate school, by helping to apply what students have learned. By providing comprehensive resources, programs, and counseling on career development, internships, employment, and graduate school, the staff assists students and alumni in making career decisions, connect with employers, and attain their life goals.
Many parents are eager to learn what Career Services has to offer their students. Some want to know how they can assist their students with career development concerns. Others want to know where they can find current information on "hot" jobs and salaries. To address these and other issues, Career Services has compiled a list of frequently asked questions parents have posed to the Career Services staff over the phone, by e-mail, or in person.
Q. How can parents serve as effective "career coaches" for students?
A. Encourage your students to explore and develop their interests through co-curricular activities, leadership positions, community service, study abroad, research opportunities, summer jobs, and internships. Also:
• Motivate your students to take advantage of all career services: individual advisement, workshops, job fairs, resume services, resources, internships, campus interviews and CAREERlink, Centenary’s job listing and career resource site.
• Introduce interesting careers options that your student may not have considered.
• Volunteer to allow a Centenary student, who is interested in learning more about your career, to spend a day with you Job Shadowing. Contact Career Services for more information on this program.
• Promote Centenary College Career Services with your company as a source of talent to fill internship, part time, and full time positions via CAREERlink.
Q. Can I visit Career Services and/or meet with a career advisor to discuss my student’s career options?
A. Yes! We are pleased to provide career information to parents; however, it is important that students assume primary responsibility for their own career development. Please encourage your student to visit with our staff to discuss career concerns also.
Q. When can my student begin using Career Services?
A. Once a student is enrolled, he/she can visit our office to meet with advisors, participate in workshops, use the Career Resource Library, and look for part-time jobs or internships. At any time students may go to the Career Services web site for information @ www.centenary.edu/career.
Q. Where can I find out about information about career events on campus?
A. The Career Services web site has a "Career Events" section that provides a summary of workshops, career fairs, programs and other pertinent information.
Q. What help is available for my student if he/she can't decide on a major?
A. Career Services can provide resources to link academic majors to career alternatives by providing information on career paths, sample job titles, and a short bibliography of resources available in the Career Resource Library. Some students find that taking career interest surveys provided by Career Services, online may be helpful.
Q. Do you have resources for locating internships?
A. The Career Services web site (www.centenary.edu/career) lists internship sites through CAREERlink, Centenary’s on-line job listing and career resource site allowing registered students access to a database of internships. Registration is free. Students can also access gateway sites for exploring national internships at www.centenary.edu/career.
Q. What if my student wants to get academic credit for his/her internship?
A. Each department has its own crediting procedure for internships. Check with the Department Chair for details.
Q. My student needs a part-time and summer job to defray college costs. How can Career Services help?
A. Employers list their part-time and summer jobs on the Career Services website (www.centenary.edu/career) and CAREERlink. Most on- campus jobs, reserved for work study eligible students, are available at the Financial Aid office in Hamilton Hall. A Summer Camp Jobs listing has been added to help students find summer jobs.
Q. How can Career Services help my student find full-time employment following graduation?
A. There are a number of ways.
• Job Fairs are setup each year for networking. Check the “Career Events” section of the Career Services website.
• Students & Alumni may post resumes online via CAREERlink.
• Students & Alumni may apply for interviews, job and internships via CAREERlink.
• Resume referrals are provided to employers via CAREERlink.
Q. What salaries are new graduates in various fields earning?
A. The quarterly salary survey developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) is available to students at the Career Resource Library. Additional national salary surveys may be accessed from the Career Services homepage www.centenary.edu.
The staff of Career Services is here to help students discover their options, so call and make an appointment today! Call 869-5208 or email career@centenary.edu