March 13th 2024.
Published on May 17, 2017, this article is directed towards all the proud parents whose children are graduating from college. As a parent, you may have a flurry of questions and concerns about your child's future, most importantly, whether they have a job lined up after the commencement ceremony.
According to Avis Hinkson, the vice president for student affairs at Pomona College, this can be a stressful time for parents as they try to navigate the unknown territory with their graduating seniors. As the dean of the college, Hinkson is responsible for guiding and providing resources to over 2,400 students. In this article, she shares three valuable tips for parents to help their children during this transition.
The first tip is to carefully consider how much assistance you are willing and able to provide to your child. This could include financial support or even offering them a place to stay. However, it is important to establish boundaries and communicate openly about the possibilities and limitations of your support. For instance, if your child returns home, you could provide them with housing but expect them to help out with certain chores in return. Or if they are moving to a new city, will you be able to cover a few months' rent?
Next, Hinkson suggests using your own professional network to help your child with their job hunt. You could make introductions to people who could provide informational interviews or job shadowing opportunities. You could also encourage them to reconnect with a former mentor or join the local alumni association to make new connections.
Finally, instead of asking your child the daunting question of "what's next?", Hinkson advises parents to help their child develop short- and long-term plans. It is common for new graduates to feel pressure to jump straight into their dream job, but it is important to be realistic and flexible with their career goals. You could suggest a short-term solution, even if it may not be in line with their degree or dream job, to alleviate some of the stress. And for the long-term, you can encourage your child to outline a five-year plan that includes both their aspirations and what they don't want in their career.
Hinkson also emphasizes the importance of parents asking themselves tough questions about their own expectations and ability to help before having "The Talk" with their children. As a parent, you can act as a coach by having a supportive and open conversation that eases some of the pressure and leads to solutions. It is crucial to keep these conversations fluid and check your assumptions to ensure effective communication with your child.
In conclusion, this article highlights the challenges that parents of graduating seniors may face and offers valuable tips to guide them through this phase. As parents, it is important to provide support, but also to establish boundaries and have open conversations with your child as they navigate their future.
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