| Summary: | This study explored the efficacy of providing workshops for parents of first year
university students in the area of career coaching their young adult children. Parents
have a great deal of influence on their children when they are entering university.
The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions, feelings and experiences
of parents of students attending first year university in providing assistance in career
exploration and planning.
The workshops conducted were for the purpose of giving parents information and
resources, an understanding of labour market information, career exploration and
planning, and the decision making process.
The study consisted of a series of two workshops attended by 55 parents of first
year university students. After the second sessions, 24 parents participated in focus
group interviews. The focus group interviews were audio taped and transcribed and
statements were analyzed for themes. Parents demonstrated shifts in thinking, especially
a greater sense of hope, as well, they gained knowledge and skills, to be more effective
career coaches for their students. The major themes were Parent Anxiety (lack of
information); Communication; Parenting Styles; and Changing Roles.
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