Congratulations! You have joined the ranks of parents who have recognized the importance of education as an advantage for your child. For years you've wondered "What will Johnny or Jane be when they grow up?" The time has come to finally find out the answer to that question.
But how does one decide how to explore such an important question? There are some who will have a clear-cut path; however there are others who could use a little help.
Meeting with a career counselor, and completing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the Strong Interest Inventory are just a couple of the ways the Career Services Center can help you and your child make that critical decision. Please click on the Career Resources link to your left for information about our services.
Do you have questions concerning:
1. What ocupations are hot...what are not?
2. What kind of financial stability will may child have with that occupation?
3. What will the labor market look like when my child completes his or her program?
4. Is there someone at the university that will help my child find a job?
Questions like these and many others can be answered by the UAA Career Services Center staff. Give us a call at (907) 786-4513, or visit our center located in the Rasmuson Hall, Suite 122. You can also contact us by email at aycareer@uaa.alaska.edu.
Parents' concerns about their children's future often stem from myths about college and career choices...
Myth:
Eek! My daughter wants to major in English. She'll never get a job.
Fact:
The majority of undergraduates are not employed in careers related to their undergraduate major. Students use their major to build transferable skills that they can use in a job.
Myth:
Grades and coursework are the main factors in getting a job.
Fact:
Employers consistently list internships, volunteer activities, campus involvement, athletics, student politics, and artistic activities as being significant factors when they are selecting candidates for jobs.
Myth:
The "hot" careers are your best bet.
Fact:
While it may seem like a good idea to base a career decision on what's "in" at the moment, the recent collapse of the dot.com industry is a perfect example of how things can change in an instant. It is better to focus on your interests and skills when making career decisions.
Myth:
The Career Service Center is only helpful for business and computer science majors.
Fact:
The career center can help with all majors although it cannot provide the same services to all. On-campus recruiting is primarily a function of employer demand and some industries do not have the 
budgets to spend on visiting college campuses. However, those industries will often post their jobs with the CSC at uaacareerservices.com. In addition, we organize a variety of workshops during the semester on all kinds of careers. Of course, the career center can always help students of all majors with individual career exploration and job search skills.
Myth:
Your first job will determine your career.
Fact:
The Bureau of Labor Statistics determined that the average person changes careers three or four times in a lifetime.
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