Career Coaching Tips and Questions for Parents & Families

You may want to talk to your student about their college or career plans, but may not be sure where to start or how to ask questions. This quick guide can help you have open-ended, on-going conversations about their plans.

Starting a Career Conversation with Your Student

Focus on asking broad, open-ended, and low stress questions, such as:

  • Which of your classes do you enjoy the most?
  • What have you liked in particular about these classes and why?
  • What activities have you participated in that have made you the happiest?
  • What excites you about this area of study?
  • Tell me about _____

Exploring Meaningful Work

Inspired by the Ikigai method, the Strommen Center uses the framework below to help students define what meaningful work means to them. By exploring the intersection of their passions, talents, and the needs of the world and community, students gain clarity and insight into their unique purpose and direction in their career paths.

Encourage your student to use our Defining Meaningful Work Guide or discuss some of the following questions with them:

  • What have you done that made you feel satisfied and fulfilled?
  • What makes you lose track of the minutes and the hours?
  • What’s something that brings you joy?
  • What inspires you to thrive and work for the thriving of others?
  • What problems in the community or in the world do you want to help solve?
  • What do you value?
  • What are you good at?
  • What skills do  you have that are unique to you?
  • What do you want to learn how to do?
  • What do people come to you for help with?
  • What jobs or industries are you interested in?
  • How can you learn more about different jobs and industries? (If students need help, direct them to our website!)
  • Where do you see connections between your skills, your passions, what the world needs, and job opportunities?

Change and Goal-Setting

  • What is important to you in a career?
    • Stability?
    • Fulfilling work?
    • Large paycheck?
    • Enjoyable work environment?
    • Giving back to the community?
    • Changing the world?
    • How would you prioritize if your answers were in conflict?
  • What does success look like for you?
  • What would you try now if you knew you could not fail?
  • Have you thought about how to get career-related experience before you graduate?
  • What is currently standing in your way of ___?
  • What are you willing to do differently to get unstuck from this situation?

Providing Advice

Before jumping in to offer advice, you might ask:

  • Would you like help with ____?
  • What can I/we do to support you? Who at Augsburg can help support you?
  • What do you need from me during college/an internship/the job search?

And, not a question: I love and support you no matter what you decide to do!

Parts of this guide are adapted from: How to Be Involved – UMN Career Center