Family/Supporters

Supporting your student during the first year at MIT

At MIT, supporters, families, and parents can help first-year students explore and prepare for their future careers by connecting them to Career Advising and Professional Development (CAPD). During the first year, we help with connecting major to career, selecting courses for those interested in prehealth, exploring career fields, and much more. First-year students can also come to CAPD’s first-year signature events, where content is tailored to their unique stage of their college career, or to any of the general events and programs.

CAPD services for first-year students

Supporting your student beyond the first year

MIT co-curricular and experiential learning provides vast opportunities to explore and discover career paths. We encourage students to start by exploring careers through our Career Exploration Series, perusing our Career Interests page, attending an Infinite Careers event featuring MIT alums, and exploring a career path through micro-internships or career prototyping. CAPD also provides shadowing, and or short- and long-term experiences in workplace settings in various fields, which students have access to through MIT’s Handshake system. Additional MIT experiential learning opportunities are available in MIT’s ELx.

Advice for exploring careers

Continuing to support your graduate student’s career pursuits

As a parent or supporter of a graduate student at MIT, your role continues to be important. An advanced degree often requires determination, as students are focused on their professional endeavors. CAPD offers career advising for Master’s and PhD students. Also, Graduate Student Professional Development provides a comprehensive collection of professional development opportunities designed to help graduate students develop skills and knowledge within and beyond academe.

Explore Graduate Student Professional Development

Parents and supporters’ questions answered by CAPD staff

Wondering how to help your student narrow down their major? Concerned that your student’s lack of internship experience due to the pandemic may impact their chances of getting a job? Want to know what happens if your student gets a job before they find out about graduate school acceptance?

If you have questions about supporting your student, let us know. CAPD experts will be answering family and supporters’ general questions throughout the year, so submit your questions.

See CAPD staff answers to your questions