How To Talk Careers with Your Parents – a guide for the undecided student
An extended time at home over break can provide parents an opportunity to inquire about your career goals, often seeking assurance that you are headed toward achieving a career outcome that is realistic and self-sustaining. In addition, holiday gatherings can bring what feels like an interrogation of questions from extended family members. How’s college? What’s your major? What are you going to do with that? These questions and conversations can make you feel anxious, especially if you are uncertain about your career goals or unable to articulate them clearly yet.
Here are 3 tips for handling these conversations with ease:
1. Spend time developing your career goals ahead of time.
- Here are some great questions to help you reflect.: https://www.lifehack.org/articles/work/questions-help-you-choose-the-best-career.html
- Think broadly – you don’t have a specific job title or industry. Pick 2 or 3 things you are certain about or are considering right now. I’ve figured out that I’m really good at _____ and _____, and I’m really liking my _____ course this semester. I’m thinking about a career related to _____ or _____ right now.
- Reflect on your Clifton Strengths. Check out this podcast episode from Gallup, Discovering Your Career Path: Using Strengths to Find Your Passion https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzFib_e4n5o
2. Improve your self-confidence.
- It’s okay if you don’t know yet. The most successful professionals know that flexibility and open-mindedness can often lead to the best opportunities.
- It’s okay if someone disagrees or did things differently. Try to understand their point of view, and only adjust your plans if it makes sense for you.
- Don’t internalize or make assumptions. Remember family members usually have your best interests in mind.
3. Seek expertise.
- Leverage your family for their expertise and connections. Do you know anyone who works in/at [insert career, industry, company, or city of interest]? How did you get your foot in the door in/at [insert name of industry or company]? What would you recommend I do at this point in college?”
- Meet with a career coach. The Business Career Center is open and available for coaching most of break. Schedule an appointment online!
More details at: https://business.unl.edu/current-students/business-career-center