Career Corner for First-Year Families: From Activities to Career Skills, The Hidden Connections
The first year of college brings enormous change—new routines, new academic expectations, and new independence.
Amid all of that, it’s common for parents, guardians, and families to focus on academics first. You want your student to adjust well, build strong study habits, and establish a solid GPA. Those priorities matter. But there’s another essential part of the college experience that plays a powerful role in your student’s future success — campus involvement.
Campus Involvement and Transferable Skills
Whether it’s joining a club, participating in a leadership program, working on campus, or getting involved in service, these experiences shape skills and confidence outside of the classroom. And for first-year students, getting involved early—at any level—can make a meaningful difference in their personal and professional development.
Parents and guardians sometimes wonder: Does a club meeting or a part-time campus job really matter to future employers? The answer is a resounding yes. Through involvement, students build transferable skills—the abilities that employers look for regardless of major or career path:
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Leadership and initiative
- Time management and organization
- Problem-solving and adaptability
- Communication skills
Your student might see these activities as “just something they enjoy,” but employers recognize them as real, résumé-worthy experiences. In fact, many students don’t realize how much they’ve grown until they reflect on their involvement with a career coach.
First-year students often feel unsure about belonging—academically, socially, or professionally. Campus involvement offers:
- A place to meet new people
- A sense of belonging and purpose
- Opportunities to try new things
- A structured way to explore interests
Even small commitments—attending a club meeting once a month or helping at a campus event—can help students feel more connected to their new community.
Students who get involved early often find it easier to:
- Explore majors and career paths
- Build relationships with faculty and staff
- Discover strengths they didn’t know they had
- Gain examples to use in future job interviews
- Develop leadership experience by sophomore or junior year
These benefits build year after year—and they start with just one step in the first semester.
Your encouragement can make a real difference. Try:
- Asking what events or clubs they have heard about on campus
- Suggesting they attend one involvement fair or club meeting
- Reminding them that involvement doesn’t need to be a huge time commitment
- Encouraging them to connect with Career Services to explore how activities align with future goals
Your support helps students feel confident trying new things—especially during a year when everything still feels new.
Career Services Is Here for Them (and You!)
If your student isn’t sure where to start or how to connect their activities to their future, Career Services is ready to help. Whether they bring a résumé, a list of interests, or even an “I’m not sure what to do,” we guide them through the process.
Encourage them to stop by, ask questions, or attend an event. These first steps can spark opportunities they carry throughout college—and long into their career. Students can schedule appointments through Handshake → Career Center → Appointments.