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• introduction
• frequently asked questions
• four-year planner
• students' rights

• Getting and giving help
• Choosing a major
• Landing an internship
• Finding a job
• Considering graduate school

How can I help with my student’s career development?

Parents exert an enormous influence on their student’s career decisions and can assist in many ways.

• Encourage your student to visit the Career Development Center and explore a variety of career fields.
• Discuss your experiences in college and the job world. Help your student reflect on what he or she wants from a career.
• Share your experiences with interviewing, networking, and career decision-making.
• Once your student has chosen a career to explore, help arrange informational interviews with coworkers, family, or friends in the same (or a related) career field.
• Make a commitment to talk (and listen) to your student about career-related issues and challenges.

What services does the Career Development Center provide?

We offer career advising, career courses, the Career Resource Library, job and internship listings, and on-campus interviews. For more information, please see the services section of our web site.

When should my student visit the Career Development Center?

It's best if students visit us in their first year so they can make the most of our resources and services, but it is never too late to start! Your first-year student could begin by taking ASCS Q294: Basic Career Development. We list additional steps for first year and each year thereafter in our Four-Year Career Planner, available from our document library.

How can I help other students with their career development?

At the Center, we are always looking for new opportunities for students and parents to work together. If you are interested in helping IU students in their career development, there are several ways that parents can be career development partners.

What majors are available?

Indiana University offers over 130 majors.

What if my student doesn’t know what he or she wants to do?

Most students enter college without a concrete idea of what subject to major in or what job they want to do. This is a very common experience. Your student can consider his or her interests and aptitudes to determine suitable majors and careers. We have a wealth of information and services to help students with their search, so please suggest that your student stop by the Center for assistance. In addition, read our Myths and Facts about Major and Career Choice to find out about some common misconceptions. Further, encourage your student to take our Basic Career Development course, which is designed to help students learn how to make career decisions like choosing a major.

What if my student wants to major in something that doesn’t seem practical?

On average, a college graduate will have 10 jobs throughout life.² Adaptability, diversity, and transferable skills are important for a successful career, and a liberal arts degree provides these. Liberal arts majors learn to adapt to new situations and problems, communicate effectively, and think analytically. These are some of employers' most-desired qualifications. Parents may find it helpful to read our Myths and Facts about Major and Career Choice page, which addresses some common misconceptions about the economic viability of seemingly impractical majors.

When must a student decide on a major?

Students are required to declare a major (other than "exploratory") by the time they complete 56 credit hours. Typically, students declare a major by the end of their sophomore year. We recommend that students commit to a tentative major by mid-April of their freshman year, when students register for the fall semester of their sophomore year.

Many students who have not committed to a major until their junior year have still been able to graduate in four years, but there’s no guarantee that this will work for your student; it depends on what courses they have taken and the requirements of the major they choose. Departments at IU do not share a standard set of general requirements. Therefore, it may be to your student’s benefit to decide by the end of their first year.

What is an internship?

An internship is a chance for your student to gain experience in a career field before entering the job market. Internships can confirm a career choice or help a student realize that a particular field isn’t a good fit. Almost half of student interns receive offers for full-time employment after graduation by the organization where they interned. While some internships are paid, most are not because the emphasis is on skills and experiences that will give students an advantage in the job market. Most internships are one semester or summer long but can sometimes have a greater duration. The length of an internship is often negotiable.

When is the best time to look for an internship?

Companies recruit for interns at different times. For summer internships, most companies start looking in January, but companies with more competitive internships start in the fall semester of the year before. We recommend that students make early contact with their employers of choice to find out when intern hiring begins.

How can my student find an internship?

One of the best ways for students to get started is by enrolling in our career course, Job Search Strategies for Liberal Arts Students. Drop-in advising is also a great way to start the search process. IUCareers.com is a jobs and internships board, and we have a brief guide to finding internships.

Can my student receive academic credit for an internship?

Your student should first check with their academic department to see if their department offers an internship course. If not, students may apply for credit through ASCS Q398.

If my student takes a semester off to complete an internship, how can he or she stay on my health insurance?

Students can apply to enroll in ASCS W499. This non-credit class gives students full-time student status for health insurance eligibility and student loans.

Does ASCS W499 do anything for financial aid?

Students should check with the financial aid office and any scholarship organizations to see whether W499 will allow them to receive their aid and scholarships.

How can my student find a job?

Students can visit the Center and speak to an advisor who will explain the many resources available. One of job search services we offer is IUCareers.com, where students can browse postings for internships, part-time jobs, and full-time jobs from employers all over the country. Our Career Resource Library has over 1,000 volumes, including shelves of books on field-specific job searches and company directories organized by field. We provide online job listings and other resources where students can access a variety of directories, listings, and organizations. We also have a brief guide to finding jobs.

Should my student work during college?

Working 10-12 hours per week benefits students. They gain:

• Additional financial resources to cover personal expenses.
• Exposure to the world of work.
• Enhanced skills in communication, teamwork, time management, decision making, and customer service.
• Exposure to additional resources and programs.
• An opportunity to apply and observe some of the principles and techniques learned in the classroom.

What should students be doing if they are interested in graduate study?

Students considering graduate school can make an informed choice by carefully reading through the graduate school section of our web site. Also, students can talk to a career advisor about graduate school in drop-in advising. Suggest that your student develop relationships with faculty in your student’s area of interest, as it is important that your student be able to draw on a professor's knowledge and advice before and throughout their graduate studies.

What is the process for applying to graduate school?

We've posted a general timeline and description of the process, but individual graduate programs have their own deadlines and requirements.

Is it better for students to go right to graduate school or to take some time off in between undergraduate and graduate school?

Ultimately, it depends on the individual student's personal and professional goals. Students should carefully consider whether they really need to go to graduate school, for how long, what impact this might have on their future in terms of finances (retirement) and maintaining a family. Some students get a full-time job and still go to graduate school: many employers offer reimbursement or time off for an advanced degree. For more information, see the graduate school section of our web site.