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Encourage Your Student to Explore Campus Career Services
Tami Campbell
There are so many different offices and departments on campus that provide services and support to students that it can be confusing! When you have a question, how do you know who to call or where to look on the website? Here is an overview.
Typically after the first semester, tuition statements are not mailed home. Bills (and financial aid updates and renewal information) are usually emailed to students as well as being available in the online student account. At some schools, students can permit their parents to create their own login for the purpose of viewing the bill and other financial information.
Nowadays students use their ID cards to enter residence halls, access the meal plan, check out books and make photocopies at the library, do laundry, get into the rec center, and more. Parents can add money to student cards — learn how on the website.
Student Life may encompass on-campus housing and dining, cultural groups, campus events, sports and recreation, student government, and the deans who oversee disciplinary situations. It may also house services for special communities such as veterans, students with disabilities, first-generation students and international students. If your student is trying to get involved, needs social support, or has a concern regarding their living situation they probably want to contact:
The Registrar handles course registration and student records. (Learn more about the privacy of student health and academic records by clicking here.) Students typically meet each semester with an academic advisor to plan a course of study, talk about possible majors, and discuss how study abroad might fit in. Ask your student the name of their advisor, and find out how that relationship is developing.
Many campuses have a writing center with tutoring resources and academic success workshops; individual academic departments offer their own study groups and review sessions.
Students can meet with career counselors or just drop by the Career Center to learn about resources and opportunities. Student Employment is a clearinghouse for jobs both on and off campus. Most schools offer plentiful employment and volunteering opportunities and though work-study students may receive hiring priority, students often don’t need to receive financial aid to apply.
Colleges offer a wide range of health and counseling services. If your student is on the campus health plan, look it over together to see what’s covered and what isn’t. Many services are free — your student should take advantage of them.
The campus police department works alongside the town/city force to maintain a safe campus environment. The Title IX coordinator oversees the school’s policies around sexual assault prevention and resources for victims.
