Resources for Families
Welcome to our resources page, designed specifically for families with college students in arts and humanities fields. Here, you'll find valuable information and tools to help your student navigate their career path, from internships and networking opportunities to skill-building workshops and job search strategies, ensuring they are well-prepared for a successful future.
Supporting the College Transition
- Financial Essentials
- FAFSA & CADAA: Submit forms early; Parents may need to provide tax information. Visit studentaid.gov.
- Cal Grant / Scholarships: Check eligibility and deadlines! (GPA, Confirm Attendance, etc.)
- Family Contribution:
- Discuss the budget, savings, and how expenses will be covered. Understand the costs of housing, books, travel, and more!
- Contact the financial aid and Basic Needs & Student Support office to discuss support
- Tip: Revise the Financial Aid award letter and the estimated cost of attendance sheet
- Emotional readiness
- Encourage Independence!
- Support students as they take charge of their academic and professional journeys. Whether starting fresh, transferring, or returning, remind them you’re there if they need extra support.
- Let them manage their schedule, deadlines, and new responsibilities
- Encourage them to seek out faculty and upper-division opportunities
- Trust and celebrate their ability to juggle academics, work, and personal expectations
- Support them in building new friendships and peer networks
- Remind them it’s okay to ask for help when needed
- Encourage reflection on their personal and academic growth
- Encourage Independence!
- Set Expectation
- Respect Study & Work Time!
- Help students set boundaries so they can focus on coursework, jobs, and personal responsibilities
- Promote Life Skills!
- Encourage independence with cooking, laundry, budgeting, managing daily tasks, and navigating campus resources
- Encourage students to seek solutions, make decisions, and advocate for themselves while knowing guidance is available
- Remind transfer and returning students to use previous coursework, work experience, or life skills to succeed in new settings
- Support students in managing stress, building healthy routines, and scheduling downtime by sharing your own strategies and experiences
- Tip: Encourage your student to visit Academic Advising to create a plan for graduation
- Tip: Believe in them every step of the way! Their confidence grows when they know you trust their journey, no matter the path they’re on!
- Respect Study & Work Time!
How Can I Get My Student Involved?
Communicate
- Ask open-ended questions about campus life and give advice when necessary.
Campus Resources
- Remind students about on-campus support like tutoring, counseling, and career centers.
Campus Events
- Join your students for campus events, lectures, or sports.
Family Events
- Attend orientation programs or participate in family weekends.
Informed
- Regularly check in with your student through calls, texts, or video chat.
Clubs
- Suggest attending club fairs and activities.
Organizations
- Or by joining organizations by browsing options in campus directories.
Independence
- Offer guidance and listen, but encourage your student to solve their own problems.
Parent Communities
- Join Parent associations to stay informed and engaged
- Volunteer for campus events or mentoring opportunities.
Foster
- Encourage your student to join clubs, study groups, or residence hall activities.
Connections
- Support community service or campus service projects to help them connect with others.
Advocate
- Participate in parent advocacy groups to help improve the campus experience.
Stay Informed
- Familiarize yourself with campus resources to better support your student.
Looking for Ways to Support your Student?
College can be a big change for students and parents. Even if it's your first time, staying involved and offering support can make a big difference in your student's success.
4 Ways to Support
- Have conversations
- Show interest in your students' school life
- Talk about their interests and goals
- Ask how their classes are going
- Listen and offer encouragement
- Be Open-Minded
- Support your students' major even if it's unfamiliar
- Focus on the skills theyre learning, not just the major
- Encourage them to try new things
- Remember: college is about growth and exploration
- Get Involved
- Stay updated so you can better support your student
- Learn more about your students' school life
- Attend campus events when possible
- Meet faculty, staff, and other parents
- Stay Informed
- Strengthen your bond through shared experiences
- Learn about your students' majors and classes
- Explore career options tied to their field
- Use school websites and parent resources
Careers in the Arts and Humanities
Skills that Employers Want
Arts and Humanities graduates excel at in-demand skills such as:
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Research
- Adaptability
- Critical Thinking
- Creativity
- Innovative
- Cross-Cultural Knowledge
Career Possibilities
- Art & Design
- Teacher, Curator, Designer
- Communication & Media
- Journalist, PR, Broadcaster
- English
- Editor, Writer, Librarian
- Liberal Studies
- Teacher, Counselor, Policy Maker
- Music
- Performer, Technician. Educator
- Philosophy
- Lawyer, Writer, Journalist
- Theater Arts
- Performer, Technician, Educator
- World Languages & Literature
- Editor, Translator, Educator
Did You Know?
- Over 80% of employers value communication and critical thinking skills over a person's major
- Arts/Humanities grads work at Google, NPR, the UN, local schools, and more
- 76% of arts and humanities grads are employed full-time within six months of graduation