Parents & Families

The Career Development Center assists students in all majors and years to explore their interests and abilities, connect with internships and experiences and navigate the job search process. Through a variety of advising programs, services and events, the CDC staff provides students with the resources they need to achieve their success.

Parents and family members are essential components to the development and engagement of college students. The CDC welcomes and appreciates family support and involvement in the career exploration process.

Ways you can help your student:

• Encourage your student to visit the CDC during his/her first year. Our advisors can assist your student in selecting a major, exploring different career paths and researching and connecting with internships, experiences and jobs. It’s never too early to start the process.
• Be patient. It is natural for college students to seek more independence as they find their places in the world.
• Support his/her choices. Maintain an open mind when your student considers possible majors and career paths. Encourage your student to explore new opportunities. Trust your student’s judgment.

Partner with the CDC to assist current students

Is your employer, business or organization interested in recruiting UR students? Do you have an interest in giving back to your student’s university? From offering a job or internship to volunteering as a mock interviewer or etiquette coach, there are many ways parents and family members can partner with the CDC to assist current students.

Suggested readings for parents of Richmond students

The Parent's Crash Course in Career Planning:  Helping Your College Student Succeed. (Marcia B. Harris and Sharon L. Jones, VGM, 2007).

Study Abroad: A Parent's Guide. (William W, Hoffa, NAFSA, 1998).

Letting Go: A Parent's Guide to Understanding the College Years. (Karen Levin Coburn and Madge Lawrence Treegar, HarperPerennial, 1997).

Empty Nest, Full Heart: The Journey From Home to College. (Andrea Van Steenhouse, Simpler Life Press, 1998).

Career Coaching Your Kids: Guiding Your Child Through the Process of Career Discovery. (David H. Montross, Robert J. Ginn, Jr., Consulting Psychologists Press, 1997).

Millennials Rising: The Next Great Generation. (Neil Howe, William Strauss, Vintage Books, 2000).

Awakening at Mid-Life: A Guide to Reviving Your Spirits, Recreating Your Life, and Returning to Your Truest Self. (Kathleen H.Brehony, Berkley Publishing Group, 1997).