Parents/Family FAQ

College is about more than preparing for a career — it’s about learning to think critically and discovering how one person can have a positive impact on the world. Truman students learn how to see the bigger picture, to understand how areas of knowledge are interrelated, and to view learning as a lifelong endeavor. As a result, our graduates are prepared to succeed in any career, but they are also prepared to pursue meaningful and fulfilling lives.

To see the impact that a liberal arts education at Truman, check out some of the accomplishments of those who have experienced it.

The most important thing you can do as a parent is to support your student’s career exploration and career choices and to encourage your student to take advantage of all Truman has to offer.  By encouraging, listening, and providing moral support, you can help your student navigate the career development process which can be stressful, time-consuming, and occasionally difficult.

Discussing career issues with your student and encouraging him/her to actively use the Career Center throughout the Truman experience increases the likelihood that your student will identify career options and gain valuable career-related experiences.  The result will be a smooth transition from Truman to graduate school or to the world of work.

Internships provide an important educational experience where students can learn, grow, and contribute in a professional setting all at the same time.  That’s why we have a whole array of printed and online internship resources, and our Career Library is stocked with numerous internship guides.

Students can also search for internships through postings on TruPositions (Truman’s centralized student positions website), a database of the internship locations of recent Truman graduates, and  Internships.com. In addition, students often explore internship opportunities through the Career Expo, networking with faculty/internship advisors in their major, and by networking on Truman’s alumni LinkedIn community.

For more information, visit our Internship Search webpage for current Truman students.

Yes!  The Career Center sponsors two Career & Grad School Expos each year during Career & Grad School Week — one during fall semester and one in the spring.  Our Career Expos are well attended by employers who continually tell us they enjoy coming to Truman because of the high-quality, well-prepared candidates they meet.

Because about half of Truman’s graduates go immediately to graduate school, the Career Center expends a significant amount of time and resources in this area. The flagship event for graduate school preparation is Graduate School Prep, held during the fall Career & Grad School Week. The Career Center also offers personal statement critiquing and assistance with locating graduate programs, as well as information on graduate entrance exams.

Your student can use the following Career Center services on a walk-in basis.

  • Résumé and cover letter critique
  • Career library and online career resources

Your student will need to make an appointment for the following Career Center services:

  • Personal statement critique for graduate school admissions
  • Mock interviewing
  • Individual career planning needs

The friendly Career Center staff is always happy to talk with you and your student about how to begin the career planning process.  Contact us with your questions, comments, or ideas, or have your student stop by the Career Center located in the Student Union Building 1110 (first floor)

NOTE:  Due to federal privacy laws, we are unable to share information with you concerning your student’s visits to the Career Center.