Family FAQs

What is the career development process?

We encourage you to visit our Career Planning Checklist for Parents and Students under the Parent links section.

When should my student begin using Career Services?

We encourage students to begin utilizing our services as soon as they arrive on campus. We are not here to simply assist them in their job search, but we instead want to work with them on their career development through a variety of services we provide. The sooner your student begins this process, the more prepared they will be at graduation. We also offer free assistance to our alumni.

What can I do to help my student in their career development?

There are many things you can do to assist your student. The first step would be to truly listen to their ideas and concerns without giving unsolicited advice. This is especially true when they may be considering careers you didn’t envision for them! It’s also important to encourage them to start early and keep encouraging them when they get frustrated or discouraged by the process of choosing a major. Please also know that it’s common for students to change their major.  The National Center for Education Statistics and other sources report that up to 80% of students in the United States change their major at least once during their college career. Also, be a resource for your student since many people you know may have information that could be valuable for your student in deciding on a career field. It is beneficial for them to speak with and shadow as many different people as possible in various career fields. Let them know that they often don’t need to pick “the job” before they choose the major, but instead they should choose a major that will offer many opportunities because it matches their interests and skills. Lastly, encourage your student to connect early with Career Services and faculty, and encourage them to become involved in campus life. The skills that employers look for after graduation take time to develop.

Can a career test/assessment or career counselor tell my student what major/career he or she should pursue?

No, that is a decision that your student must make on their own. It takes a great deal of time, thought, and research by the student and should not be rushed. However, both a career counselor and an assessment can serve as a great resource in the decision-making process. Indecision is normal and there is nothing wrong with that as long as your student is taking steps to find an answer. We encourage students to meet with us to discuss assessment results and how to move forward with the information.

Why should my student participate in activities, club, and volunteer service? Why should my student have a part-time position? I am afraid that my student will not have time for everything.

Many of the skills employers seek (see the question below on what employers value) can be gained from experiences outside of the classroom. Possessing those skills will make your student much more marketable to employers upon graduation, will teach them valuable life lessons, and will give them a better idea of what they enjoy.

Will my student be unsuccessful in the future because they are having so much trouble with their career planning?

Some students know early in their college career what they want to do, others think they know what they want to do but change their mind, and others do not decide for quite a while. Your student may take a while to determine their major, but it does not mean they won’t be successful after graduation.

Where can I find information about career events on campus?

The Career Services website has a “Calendar of Events” link under the Student Resources and Parent Resources area where you can find the events, dates, times, and locations of all Career Services events.

What assistance is available if my student cannot decide on a major?

Career Services offers two assessments that can help a student discover what their interests, skills, and values are, TruTalent and Focus. The career assessments are available on the Career Services website under the “Student Resources” link.  Your student must contact our office for the online assessment passwords. Once the assessments are completed, the student should make an appointment with one of the Career Services professionals to discuss how the results apply to choosing a major and what to explore in order to move forward in their career development.

Why would a student who has decided on a major need to use Career Services until right before graduation?

We can help your student with a variety of other areas, such as creating resumes and cover letters for part-time positions and then mock interviewing for these positions.  We coordinate the academic internship program and can assist your student with their search in regards to contacts and preparing them for the search. Our office teaches a course for one academic credit (University 202: Careers, the Job Search, and Beyond), which students have found to be valuable. We also offer numerous events and networking opportunities that are beneficial for students to participate in during their time at McKendree. 

My student needs a part-time job during college to off-set some costs. How can Career Services help?

Career Services maintains contact with local employers about position openings off campus.  Opportunities are posted under the “Job Opportunities” section of our website.  Please also have them reach out to us so that we can personally assist them with this search.  On-campus Federal Work Study positions are managed in the Office of Financial Aid.

Do you have resources for locating internships?

Yes, Career Services administers the academic internship program for junior- and senior-level students and has a large online database of employers. All students who are interested in the academic internship program should contact Career Services and also speak with their academic advisor. For students interested in an internship experience without earning credit or who are in their earlier years of collegiate study, Career Services provides resources to help search and apply for internships, as well as prepare for interviews.

How important is it for my student to complete an internship before graduation or immediately following graduation?

Approximately 70% of recent college graduates who were hired in the last few years completed an internship, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Employers want to see that related real world experience because it shows that the student has the ability to work and perform successfully in a professional environment. Combining an internship with other part-time jobs, activities, clubs, and a solid GPA can really help your student stand out.

How can Career Services help my student find a full-time position after graduation?

There are many ways that Career Services can help. Students can make an appointment with one of the Career Services professionals; refer to the Career Planning Guide for information on all application materials including resumes, cover letters, references pages, thank you letters, interviewing, professional dress, and more; schedule a mock interview with Career Services; upload a resume on our online job system, Handshake, and search for opportunities across the United States; visit Bogey's Career Closet for gently-used professional clothing; enroll in our job search class; participate in our Career Conference; attend job fairs and other job search events sponsored by Career Services. While we cannot guarantee a job for your student, McKendree has a high graduate success rate and we will work with your student to give them as many opportunities as possible. The internship program is highly recommended to make professional contacts and gain valuable experience. Students can also learn a great deal about career options from professors, family friends, parents, peers, online methods, and a variety of other sources. It’s important that students utilize a variety of resources!

How important are grades/GPA?

In numerous surveys conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, employers consistently rank GPA as a factor when considering candidates for hire. This GPA can help indicate to an employer how well your student learns and performs. Please encourage your student to take their studies seriously!

What do employers value when they consider candidates?

Employers rate Career & Self Development, Communication, Critical Thinking, Equity & Inclusion, Leadership, Professionalism, Teamwork, and Technology as their top Career Readiness Competencies needed at this time, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Can I post a job with Career Services?

We greatly appreciate the support of our parents and families. If you or your employer would like to recruit McKendree students and graduates, you may post part-time/full-time and internship opportunities on our Handshake system.  Please contact careerservices@mckendree.edu or 618.537.6805/6806 for further information. 

Should my student go to graduate school?

This depends on your student and what career path they wish to pursue in the future. Some fields, such as medicine or law, require an advanced degree to continue and other fields have much greater opportunities with an advanced degree. However, graduates do not always receive a better position and higher pay simply with a master’s degree and no relevant experience, so there is no right or wrong answer. Your student may also decide they want to work for a while and then go on to graduate school once they have decided what area they want to focus on, which is often found through gaining experience in various areas. If your student is interested in graduate school, they should start the search process early so they can make an informed decision. Career Services and faculty can assist them with resources in this area.

What assistance does Career Services provide for applying to graduate school?

Career Services assists students in locating graduate school information and online test registration/prep sites, speaks individually with students about graduate school, and conducts mock interviews. We also provide information about applying to graduate schools and the various tests on our webpage under “Graduate School” in the “Student Resources” area.

How can my student find jobs outside of St. Louis?

There are many search options for students through personal networking and online methods. They can search national databases (www.indeed.com, www.linkedin.com, and www.monster.com to name a few), and many Chamber of Commerce sites allow individuals to view their company list for contact names.  McKendree leases Handshake as a service to our students and alumni, where approved employers post part-time/full-time jobs and internships throughout the United States.  It could also be helpful for the student to participate in an internship in an interest city during the summer.

Should my student take time off before working?

If your student wants to experience something they could not do while working full time and it gives him/her experience, it may benefit them to delay the job search. Examples of this are traveling abroad, joining the Peace Corps, volunteering for a political project, or participating in a service project. However, if they want to delay their job search because they want to relax at home or because they do not know what to do next, please encourage your student to contact Career Services so we may assist the soon-to-be or recent graduate.

Should my student study abroad?

McKendree has a Study Abroad Coordinator in the Department of Academic Records and a formalized program. Study abroad experiences can be a positive way to enhance many skills that are valuable in the work place – communication skills, independence, language skills, cross-cultural communication and understanding, resourcefulness. While study abroad is a wonderful personal growth and skill development opportunity, it is important for the student to consider other reasons for going abroad. Programs related to their major or minor field of study and career goals are the best choice. Living with students of different nationalities can be a valuable experience. There are many options for study abroad programs that are tailored to fit the various needs and goals of each student. Successful study abroad requires financial and academic planning, as well as the desire to go and motivation to learn and understand at a cultural and global level.