Career Connection

Family Member Checklist

What can family members do to help students with career decisions?

Support

____ Am I allowing my family member the freedom to have new experiences?

____ Do I encourage the exploration of new ideas, experiences, occupations without being
pushy?

____ Am I willing to tolerate ideas and values which are different than my own?

____ Do I really listen to what my family member tells me?

____ Am I positive and supportive when my family member makes a poor decision or fails?

Information

____ Do I talk openly and honestly about my current job, including both the pros and cons?

____ Am I willing to discuss my own career development history?

____ Do I tell my family member about various occupations?

____ Do I encourage my family member to find out about occupations of interest, referring
him/her to appropriate resources?

Personal Insights

____ Do I help my family member to objectively look at his/her strengths and weaknesses
and suggest how they might relate to various career areas?

____ Do I compliment my family member on his/her good points and accomplishments?

____ Do I help my family member identify occupations for which he/she may be best
suited to follow?

Contacts

____ Am I willing to refer my family member to friends/acquaintances who might discuss
their occupations with him/her?

____ Am I willing to actively help my family member find a summer/part-time/volunteer job
that will help him/her explore a potential career field?

____ Would I be willing to allow my family member to use my personal/professional contacts
to find employment after graduation?

Motivation

____ Do I encourage activities that promote career development, while not emphasizing
what has not been done?

____ Am I willing to assist my family member in setting reasonable goals without insisting
that my expectations be met?

____ Do I ask questions that will encourage my family member to seek more information
about careers?

To receive assistance in answering these questions or to get assistance for your family member, call the Career Connection center closest to you and make an appointment with a Career Advisor.