Parents, guardians, and families often have questions about the career development process and the services provided by Viterbo career services. The following information is designed to help you understand the mission of career services and the nature of the interaction we have with students. Encourage your college student to use the free services offered by career services—career counseling, internships, resume development, mock interviews, career fairs, and special events for networking, and skill development.

Supporting Your Student in Career Services: A Guide for Parents and Families

If you have further questions about our office or services, contact us at careers@viterbo.edu or 608-796-3828.

Handshake is Viterbo's is job and internship board for students and alumni. This (free) service allows your student to create a profile and post a resume that are visible to potential employers. Handshake also hosts all the on-campus employment positions, including work study. Students sign in with their Viterbo email and password to claim their account.

Encourage your student to consider the following courses as they build their course schedules. 

• UNST 110 - Major Exploration (1-credit, 8-week class offered fall/spring)
  This course is designed for first-year and undeclared students. This course will facilitate life and career decision making. Students will be involved in activities that encourage examination of personality characteristics and interest, personal, and occupational values, as well as abilities, skills, and aptitudes. Students will explore the world of work and requisite academic preparation, generate occupational and academic goals, and make knowledgeable and appropriate decisions. 
• UNST 310: Career and Professional Development Seminar (1-credit, 8-week class offered fall/spring)
  This course is designed for students who wish to further refine their career goals and begin preparation for activities to pursue those goals. Students will investigate possible career paths and research the feasibility of internships, graduate school, and other career-enhancing activities, as well as develop application materials, place search strategies, and practice interview skills to prepare for the next steps in their career development.

Internship

An internship is a practical way for your student to spend time connecting what they’ve learned at Viterbo to the work world. Internships can be done anywhere in the world, during any semester, and may count for university credit or be a no-credit resume builder. 

An internship allows your student to experience the roles, expectations, and behaviors of the professional world. Students learn about their strengths, interests, problem-solving skills, and gain the ability to work with clients and perform under pressure. Students also gain experience they can note on their resume, and make great networking connections and professional references.

Think about your own connections and how you might facilitate an internship experience for your student. Also, encourage your student to talk with Career Services to find out more about this MUST HAVE learning experience! 

Research

Challenge your student to become "occupationally literate." Ask: "Do you have any ideas about what you might want to do when you graduate?" If your student seems unsure, you can talk about personal qualities you see as talents and strengths. You can also recommend: 

• talking with a career counselor and/or taking a career inventory in Career Services
• talking with their academic advisor
• talking with their favorite faculty members
• researching a variety of interesting career fields and employers online

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