UA Family Volunteers for Career Development

UA Career Panels are an opportunity for parents and alumni to engage with campus to share real world experience and tips on how to be successful during and after college. These panels generally have between 4-6 representatives who answer questions about their jobs and give tips to be successful in their career life. These events are important for students because they get a chance to learn about the amazing jobs and industries UA alumni and parents are working. At the end of each panel there is a networking opportunity so that students can get a chance to connect with the panelists on a one-on-one and/or small group basis.

Benefits:

• Make a difference in the professional development of a student
• Develop new networks with other alumni, parents, staff, and emerging professionals
• Advise on personal growth, academics, and career topics
• Meet UA students who might become great interns or employees at your organization

Responsibilities:

• Be a great ambassador for UA. As a panelist, you are being highlighted as a representative of the University. Remember that students and community partners will see you as indicative of UA as a whole.
• Know your limits. You are not expected to be an expert on UA, the Career Center, or local school systems. You should always refer difficult (or highly-specific) questions to the UA representative moderating the event who will be with you at the event.
• Be professional and respectful of all.
• Possess and utilize strong interpersonal skills and an amicable personality.
• Be available to participate with UA Career Center a minimum of once a year at scheduled panelist and/or networking events.
• Share your career knowledge and advice to help students in their career development.
• Answer questions about your career and give tips to students to help them be successful in their career life after college.
• Complete an assessment of a selected event you have participated in as a panelist or networking guest.

Get to know some of our students and engage with UA by contributing your time. Hosting an informational interview provides a high-impact learning opportunity for students and allows you to share your experience and career journey. The Career Center encourages students to do informational interviews with professionals in fields that interest them, but their connections may be limited. Talking with students for 20 to 30 minutes gives them valuable insight on industries and organizations.

UA Career Consultants conduct mock interviews for employment and graduate school, however, our ability to provide feedback on responses to technical questions is limited. If you are in a technical field, you can contribute to a student’s preparation to answer technical questions and boost their confidence before interviews.

Benefits:

• Make a difference in the professional development of a student
• Advise on personal growth, academics, and career topics
• Meet UA students who might become great interns or employees at your organization

Responsibilities:

• Be a great ambassador for UA. As a panelist, you are being highlighted as a representative of the University.
• Know your limits. You are not expected to be an expert on UA, the Career Center, or local school systems.
• Be professional and respectful of all. Understand the student’s background. Should the student send over a resume or LinkedIn link, review before the conversation to get a sense of their interests and career goals.
• Possess and utilize strong interpersonal skills and an amicable personality.
• Be available to respond within 72 business hours to interview arrangements and students’ follow-up thank you emails.
• Share your career knowledge and advice to help students in their career development.
• Answer questions about your career and give tips to students to help them be successful in their career life after college.
• Complete an assessment.