• It is common for parents to be concerned about their student's choice of major. Will jobs be available? Will the investment in this education have long term career benefits? It can be tempting to make recommendations such as "Be an X major. That's where the jobs are." This, however, can be a source of great anxiety for many students. When mom or dad pushes a major that does not align with the student's passions and interests it can be difficult to successfully navigate the decision-making process.
• The truth is a student's undergraduate major is typically not the critical key to success. Major does not equal career. How is this possible? The key is transferable skills ; abilities that can be translated to any career and any employer. Students may gain these skills in the classroom, but many are developed through internships, extracurricular activities, volunteer experiences and other out-of-the-classroom endeavors.
• Employers and graduate programs are interested in students who not only perform well academically, but who are also well rounded and engaged in their undergraduate experience. In fact, many seek students who come from academic programs outside of their own field and therefore have fresh ideas and new ways of thinking.
  

It is important for students to realize that the career decision making process, is just that, a process. It is not an event. Individuals have to continuously make decisions regarding future careers. Making sound and informed decisions is the key to good choices. Understanding oneself (interests, skills, values) also plays a major role in the decision making process. It is important to take responsibility for and own the decisions made.

Parents want the best for their children. Parents can best support their students by facilitating the decision making process. That doesn't mean making the decision for them--even if you are footing the bill. You want your student to enjoy their life's work and be fulfilled, not just earn a paycheck. It is possible to find some fulfillment and enjoyment from a career. We don't want your student's entire identity to be wrapped up in a career, but we do want them to find satisfaction in going to work upon graduation. 

Ways you can help:
1. Help Your Student Understand Interests, Passions, Skills and Passions. You know your children better than anyone. Remind them of what they wanted to be when they were five. Most people don't change very much over time. They become more and more of who they are.  The Career Center offers a variety of assessments to help your student identify interests and discover their personality type which, in turn, will help him/her make an informed decision. 

2.  Encourage Your Student to Learn. College is all about learning. They will learn from an academic standpoint, but they also will learn about themselves. Encourage your student to do research on various majors. Encourage him/her to job shadow someone with a career in which they are interested. Encourage him/her to conduct an information interviews to better understand what the job is really like. 

3. Help Them Understand the Value of Networking. The number one way to get a job is by networking. This means that is vital that students make good impressions while in college. Most students spend a lot of time online searching help wanted ads. This can lead to a job, but the most productive job search tip is to network and build positive relationships with others. 

4. Affirm the Value of Building a Resume and Getting Experience. Our office will sit down with your student one on one and help them craft a resume. We want our students at the University of North Alabama to be as marketable as possible when they present themselves for part-time jobs, full-time jobs, and internships. We encourage all students to become involved on campus as soon as possible in organizations and activities. We ask that you encourage them to do so, as well.

• Encourage your student to visit the Career Center and begin using services and resources early in their undergraduate years.  Many students use their first semester to adjust to college life, and so perhaps the spring semester of the freshmen year is the optimal time to start using our services.  And it’s a good time for you to prompt that first visit.
• Ask your student (in an off-handed way), “Have you visited the Career Center?”  If you hear, “You only go there when you are a senior,” then it’s time to reassure them that career services is not just for seniors. Let them know that we offer help with major exploration. Tell them about our personality and interest assessments.  The sooner a student becomes familiar with the staff, resources, and programs, the better prepared he/she will be to make wise career decisions.  (Source: National Association of Colleges and Employers)
• Building the Pride Career Guide This guide includes information on career exploration, cover letters, resumes, thank you letters, and information on interview skills including questions that may be asked and appropriate attire. 

Step One: Apply for federal financial assistance. We recommend that all UNA students interested in campus employment file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online at www.fafsa.gov. Students eligible for Federal Work Study receive notification through their UNA Portal. Students
not eligible for Federal Work Study are able to work on campus through the University Work Study
Program.
Step Two: Search online in Symplicity for open positions. Visit una.edu/career, click “Looking for a Part-Time Job?” and follow the instructions to access your account and search for jobs.
Step Three: Apply to the jobs that interest you using the method requested on the posting (phone, email, send resume, etc.). Students are encouraged to apply for more than one position in order to increase the chance of obtaining a job.
Step Four: If offered the position, the supervisor will send an Electronic Personnel Action Form to the Career Center (Collier Library, 2nd Floor). This office will assist students in completing all necessary payroll forms (i.e., Employment Eligibility Verification, I-9, federal income tax withholding, W-4; and Alabama Employees Withholding Exemption Certificate, A-4). Students should be prepared to present original identification documents (i.e., original social security card and driver’s license). Copies WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. All necessary paperwork must be complete before students can begin working.
Step Five: Begin Working.

University Policies- A supervisor must comply with the University’s policy on Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment. Supervisors must also comply with Title I of the Americans With Disabilities Act, which prohibits employers from discriminating against a “qualified individual with a disability,” in all aspects of employment, including application, hiring, compensation, training, discharge and benefits.

Job Postings- The Supervisor must have a vacancy and job description posted with the Career Center before he/she can employ work-study students.                                                    

Eligibility for Work Study- All students are eligible for University Work Study. Federal Work Study is determined by financial unmet need, which is determined by information provided on the FAFSA application. Students must hold a Grade Point Average of 2.0 and be enrolled at least 6 hours in a degree seeking program. Beginning, Ending Date of Job Assignment- Each job assignment has a definite beginning and ending date. As a rule, job assignments correspond with terms of enrollment (i.e., Fall-Spring or Summer).

Pay Schedule- Student employees are paid monthly and are required to participate in direct deposit. Pay schedules are posted on the Payroll Department web page: www.una.edu/payroll

Time Sheets- Accurate records of hours worked are maintained by the hiring department. Timesheets will be available to enter worked hours no later than five days after the assignment has been approved. Time is submitted to the supervisor through the student’s UNA Portal account. Once hours worked have been acknowledged and approved, the Payroll office will authorize a paycheck according to the published schedule.

Maximum Hours- Students cannot be required to work during scheduled class hours. In order to balance class work and on campus employment, student employees may work on campus up to but not more than 8 hours a day, 20 hours per week or 80 hours per month, with the exception of a five-week month. The number of hours per week students may work is further limited by the amount of their individual award and funds available through the department. Most UNA students average from 10 to 12 hours/week, which is a reasonable workload for a full-time student.

Maximum Earnings- A student employee may earn up to the amount of his or her individual award per academic year. For example, if a student is awarded $2500 for the school year, that student may earn up to $1250 during the fall semester and $1250 during the spring semester. Student Financial Services and departmental supervisors monitor students’ actual earnings.

Pay Rate- Generally, student employees at UNA earn minimum wage. Some positions may pay at a slightly higher rate, based on job requirements or years of service and experience in the job.

Student Employees Information (UNA Page)