Many of you, me included, have sent or will be sending your student off to college. For some, this will be the first time. There are so many questions around what will they major in, what will the job market look like for them when graduation rolls around and will they function without us? I can assure you they will make it on their own. However, if you are in doubt, consider the perspective offered by this parent.
As the above article suggests, we, as parents have the best of intentions and are always well meaning and have the purest motives. As we navigate the waters of being a parent with children in college we can be hard pressed to find the information we need to assist our children. Knowing the resources available to them on campus to make referrals is the first step. I also recommend knowing where to go to find information that can assist our children with making informed decision. So, today I share a few resources related to the labor market to give you an idea of how the job market is fairing and how it may relate to the path your student may take.
Every state has a state data center which issues labor market reports for areas throughout the state. These reports summarize the trends in the marketplace, although as with all government reports they lag by nearly a quarter. In addition, the Federal Reserve issues business forecasts by regional territory. You may also search by region and the report provides a decent picture of the way employment is trending and an indication of what should happen in the near term future.
Before you know it, your student will be home for one of their breaks and you’ll be able to talk with them about websites you’ve investigated, resources and services you’d encourage them to use in their career center and how starting early on resume writing, internship searches and mock interviews are a good thing! Many career centers across the country work with all students, first-years through seniors to prepare them for life after college. So, sit back, fly over once in awhile for a birds-eye view, but don’t hover.
