Tips for Parents

What is the University College?

• University College is a unique and nurturing place that is designed to help your student make informed decisions about the future.
• Your student has a chance to earn credits for their college degree, while also exploring options to find the best fit for their future.
• We realize that it may seem difficult to understand how exploring can help your student achieve their career goals. Research has demonstrated that students who are committed to a well-explored career plan are more likely to graduate from college and succeed in their careers.

Helping your Student Explore Academic and Career Choices

One of the most important aspects of University College is that we now us the term “exploratory student” to refer to students who have not yet declared an academic major. Rather than having students making career decisions based solely on the advice of peers, TV/media, or hunches, we believe that a systematic approach to the career development process is best. University College provides an integrated approach to career development, including the following:

• Career counseling or exploring options with a professional counselor, call 602-496-0589 to schedule an appointment.
• Career tests and other assessment tools (such as interest inventories).
• Academic advising.
• Career decision making and exploration classes.

Parents and the Exploratory College Student

Some parents may be concerned that their student is struggling to develop a career plan at this point. However, the reality is that young people need support and structure in career and educational decision making. Parents can do a great deal to help students benefit from the unique support of University College. Support that parents can provide:

• Encourage your student to talk about courses, activities and hopes with you and other family members. Your role should be as a listener as opposed to someone who has to have specific answers.
• Help your student to understand the requirements of the working world, such as, hard work, punctuality, the acquisition of basic academic skills and respect for others.
• Provide a shoulder for your student to lean on when a tentative plan runs up against a roadblock.

Advantages of University College

• The top advantage is the assistance that University College provides in helping students move from career indecision to a solid commitment to a career and educational plan. Students attending University College will be provided with outstanding support and engaged instruction as they fulfill University core requirements and explore their interests, values, and abilities.
• The skills that students will obtain at University College are increasingly viewed as key in lifelong learning and earning. As the world of work shifts rapidly and often haphazardly, the acquisition and refinement of career decision making and exploration skills will become key attributes of a successful life.

Attending University College will help to develop these skills, which may serve your student throughout their life.

For career counseling, call 602-496-0589 or email majorexploration@asu.edu with questions or to make an appointment.