What To Expect Year By Year

What to Expect for Your Student’s Freshman Year

Your student will be involved in assessing his interests and abilities. They will do this through finding success (or failure) in courses they take, involvement in campus activities, and being exposed to new ideas and experiences. Here’s what you can do to help:

• Support your student’s interest in exploring new areas of study.
• Remind your student of the areas of ability that he or she has demonstrated consistently.
• Talk with your student about the courses and activities he or she is enjoying.
• Support your student’s involvement in campus activities but urge them to balance them with his or her coursework.

What to Expect for Your Student’s Sophomore Year

During the sophomore year, students begin to explore majors and career options more seriously. What’s your role in your student’s sophomore year?

• Don’t insist upon a decision about a major or possible career choice immediately. Urge your student to seek assistance from the Career Services.
• Suggest that your student talk with faculty and career advisers about potential choices.
• Don’t worry if your student chooses to major in something you consider “impractical.” Liberal arts studies sharpen skills which are critical to the “package” employers are seeking: strong written and oral communication skills, problem-solving skills, and excellent research skills.
• Suggest your student learn a foreign language and develop computer skills. Both of these skills will be helpful in today’s market, no matter what career field your student chooses.
• Direct your student to family friends, or colleagues who are in fields your student is interested in. Informational interviewing is extremely helpful at this stage. Career Services offers events throughout the year where current Baker students can learn more about career fields from recent Baker alumni and employers.
  

What to Expect for Your Student’s Junior Year

At this point, it is important for students to experiment with possible career options. This is a critical time for your support. Here’s what you can do:

• Encourage your student to use the resources available at Career Services. We can assist your student in preparing a good resume and assist him or her in finding opportunities to test his or her career choice.
• Emphasize to your student the importance of gaining exposure and experience in his or her field of interest.
• Internships in some very competitive fields may be nonpaying. Discuss your financial expectations with your student before an Internship commitment is made.
• Don’t conduct the internship or summer job search for your student. It’s great to provide names of people who may be helpful, but making contact for your student deprives them of an important learning experience and makes a poor impression on the future employer.

What to Expect for Your Student’s Senior Year

The senior year is a time when your student will be heavily involved in more advanced courses and have more responsible roles in campus activities. This is also the time your student will begin his or her job search. Here are some ways you can lend support:

• Suggest that your student visit Career Services. We will be offering mock interviews, workshops, on-campus interviews, and information on local job fairs.
• Don’t call potential employers to intervene for your student. This is your student’s responsibility.
• Be prepared for the ups and downs of the job and graduate school search. Not every desired job or acceptance will come through.