A Parent's Guide to Career Services

Answers to the Questions Parents Ask Most

When should my daughter/son begin to utilize the Career Services Office?

The Career Services office welcomes students from their first days on campus. Still, most students seem to prefer to use their first semester to “settle in” to college life. So, an optimal time to begin using our services may be spring of their first year or fall of their second year. See our Timeline for an overview of career building activities for your son/daughter throughout their stay at Skidmore.

What issues should my daughter/son be addressing during the first two years at college?

• Assessing skills, interests and values
• Researching various career fields
• Experimenting with career fields through internships, summer jobs, campus positions and volunteer work
• Considering the career implications of academic choices

How will Career Services help with these issues?

• Career counseling
• Extensive career resource collection
• Career Network of alumni/parent contacts for informational interviews
• Job Shadowing program
• Internship and summer job listings
• Advising regarding job search strategies for summer jobs and internships
• Selection of major counseling
• Resume and cover letter writing assistance
• Overview of student services

What does Career Services do to encourage students to use the office early in their stay at Skidmore?

• Presentations at orientation
• A group orientation session is scheduled for all sophomores
• Targeted email messages to registered students regarding relevant opportunities
• Internships/Summer Jobs newsletters
• Classroom presentations

What should Seniors do in order to enhance their chances of finding a good job?

• Communicate their career interests to Career Services by registering
• Review webshops regarding resume development, interviewing and job search
• Review recruiting announcements and apply for relevant opportunities
• Participate in off campus recruiting programs like ECCD BOSTON and ECCD NYC
• View current job listings especially for Skidmore students and alumni in CareerLink and our other entry-level job resources
• Conduct informational meetings with members of the Skidmore Career Network and family contacts
• Meet with a Career Services staff person to develop an individualized job search plan

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

• Meet with faculty in their discipline and designated advisors like the pre-law advisor and health professions advisory committee to discuss their interests
• Review resources in the Career Services Resource Center and on our web page to identify relevant graduate programs
• View web sites or send away for literature about schools; visit schools of greatest interest and/or have telephone discussions with department heads
• Confer with a Career Services staff person regarding other issues related to graduate school planning

How can parents help Career Services?

• Join the Skidmore Career Network and provide information and advice to students
• Share job or internship leads at your employer with Career Services
• Encourage your employer to participate in Skidmore’s recruitment program
• Volunteer as a job shadow sponsor

How can parents reach Career Services if they have questions or wish to offer support?

• Mike Profita, Director
• Donna Marino, Associate Director
• Alison Doyle, Associate Director for Information Technology
• Penny Loretto, Assistant Director/Internship Coordinator
• Shelly Bouchard, Staff Assistant/Recruiting Coordinator