Frequently Asked Questions

The following are some of the questions most frequently asked by parents regarding career issues for their students:

Q "Is there a major that will best prepare my student for a good career?"

A There is usually very little relationship between a major and a job, except in fields that require very specific skills. Typically, the "best" major is the one that excites a student and is pursued for the sake of wanting to learn, as opposed to one that might land a high paying job. However, it would be advisable for students to take some courses that provide "marketable" skills (i.e. economics, statistics, policy analysis, computer science, etc.).  Remember, employers hire people, not majors.

Q "What are the best fields/careers?"

A That depends on how you define "best." Some would be excited to begin working in Washington D.C. on a track that will lead to positions that influence national and international policy.  Working for the National Basketball Association in the area of media relations might be the dream job for others. Some students might want to work for a start-up company helping to shape the organization and possibly make millions of dollars.  However, the best fields/careers are those that afford graduates the opportunity to use their skills, knowledge, and experiences to achieve their personal and professional goals.  What Stanford offers are the resources for students to pursue a wide array of career opportunities.  What would be the best job?  That would depend on the student.

Q "What should my student do if he/she is undecided about a major?"

A The primary resources available for students who are having difficulty making up their minds about what major to pursue are the Undergraduate Advising Program (UAP) and the CDC. Both offices work individually and in partnership to assist students in exploring academic options that will fulfill their educational and career goals.  The CDC offers the Strong Interest Inventory and the Campbell Interest and Skills Survey to help students clarify their skills and interests.

Q "What should my student do if he/she is undecided about a career?"

A That's why the CDC exists. We're here to help your student explore career fields, assess his/her skills and interests, research potential employers, find appropriate internships, utilize our extensive job listings, meet employers through career fairs and other information sessions, interview for positions with employers who visit the campus, and develop effective resume and letter writing skills.

Q "How can I, as a parent, assist my student with his/her career issues?"

A Parents can play an important role in assisting their students with their career needs. The following are some ways you can help:

• Encourage and support your student as he/she explores different career options through research at the CDC, internships, part-time and summer jobs, extracurricular and volunteer activities, and shadow programs.
• Suggest they use the resources available at Stanford, especially the CDC and the Undergraduate Advising Program (UAP), and remind them to do so.
• Ask questions about their career interests and job search activities and show interest in their ideas and strategies.
• Serve as a source of career and job information.
• Encourage your student to meet with people in fields that interest them through your contacts, the CDC's Shadow Program, or the Stanford Career Network.
• Be open-minded rather than telling your student what major, career field, or job he/she ought to pursue.
• Provide objective feedback when asked your opinion about career ideas, interests and strategies.

Q: What kind of internship opportunities are there for my student?

A: The CDC maintains an online internship database with over 3000 internship listings. Many other resources for finding internships are available at the CDC.