Parents - Questions and Answers

Answers to the Questions Parents Ask Most


When should my student begin to utilize the Career Services Office?

Students are welcome from the first day they are on campus. However most students seem to use the first semester to get settled into the college life. It would seem the best time then would be spring semester or first thing fall semester of their second year.

What issues should my daughter/son be addressing during the first two years at college?

• Decide on or confirm their career and the major needed to prepare for that career
• Complete an assessment of their skill, interest, values, gifts and talents.
• Research the opportunities in various career fields.
• Consider the implications of their academic choices.

How will Career Services help with these issues?

• Provide career counseling and advising
• Provide extensive career resources
• Advise them regarding job search strategies
• Provide an up to date listing of part-time, and seasonal job opportunities
• Assist students with obtaining and completing their internship

What does Career Services do to encourage students to use the office early in their stay at Cornerstone?

• Advertise our services through a variety of methods including the student cube, campus newspaper, posters, handouts, etc.
• Present information in several classes each semester
• Conduct information sessions in the residence halls
• Participate in the Orientation Days on campus.
• Hold workshops for students on a variety of topics

What should a Senior do in order to enhance their chances of finding a good job?

• Communicate their career interest by speaking with someone in Career Services
• Meet with a career services staff member to develop a job search strategy
• Obtain a calendar of job fairs available to Cornerstone students.
• View current job listings on the web site or in the Career Services office
• Contact people that may be able to provide them with job leads or contacts in organizations and businesses.


What should a student be doing if they are interested in graduate study?

• Meet with faculty in their discipline and their advisor to discuss their interest.
• Review resources in the Career Services Resource Center
• Go to the web site about graduate schools on the Career Services site.
• Send away for literature about schools; visit schools of greatest interest and talk to department heads at the graduate schools in the area of interest.
• Confer with a Career Services staff person regarding issues related to graduate school planning.

How can parents help Career Services?

• Share job or internship leads at your employer with Career Services
• Encourage your employer to participate in Cornerstone's efforts to find opportunities for our students.
• Encourage your student to use the Career Services resources for job and internship searches.


CAREER SERVICES OFFICE
Corum Student Union, 2nd Floor
1001 EAST BELTLINE AVE NE
GRAND RAPIDS, MI 49525-5897
(616) 222-1433 | (616) 222-1529
career@cornerstone.edu