email : Webview : Miami Family Focus Issue 11: January 2021

JANUARY 2021, ISSUE NO. 11

Miami Family,
As most students traveled back for spring semester, they returned to a beautiful, though colder scene than what they left in November. This issue of Miami Family Focus includes information about gaining experience through student employment, talking points about your student's plans for next year, information about your own transition when your student returns to Oxford, and an overview of many of the involvement opportunities for Spring semester and beyond.

As always, review previous issues of Miami Family Focus on our Stay in Touch page.

Love and Honor,
Mark W. Pontious
Director, Parent & Family Programs

Transitions: Sending your student back for spring

After eight or nine weeks of having your student home, most of you have to again readjust to parenting from a distance. For some parents - and students - this time couldn't arrive soon enough, especially if the student did not engage in substantial activities over Winter Term. For others, this separation brings back emotions felt in fall the student left home, especially if it was your first to head to college.

If your student was remote this fall and/or is this spring, there will still be adjustment needed by you and your student after two months away from academic work. Their routines will change (again) as they get back into the swing of classes and likely begin to keep a more regular schedule.

Remember: there is no "right" way to experience this separation and emotions include sadness, relief, anxiety, nostalgia, irritability, celebration, and/or gratification. Have faith that the transition process that began in fall is ongoing and includes a variety of emotions. Also, a reminder from the last newsletter: if your student engaged in demanding activities during Winter Term, they may need a short break to sustain their success through the end of the semester.

Student Employment as a Vehicle for Gaining Experience

On-campus employment is a great way to acquire more of the skills employers seek, including critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and problem solving. Employers often value these work experiences as much as they do a formal internship. They recognize the valuable skill sets that come with student employment. Whether it is in the Culinary Support Center, as a lifeguard, creating marketing for an academic unit, or as a student assistant in an office, students gain experience to support their future pursuits.

Students sometimes struggle to communicate the value of student employment in their resume or an interview. The Center for Career Exploration and Success can help students communicate their on-campus employment in ways that employers find meaningful. Through resume reviews, students can identify ways to communicate their student employee experiences. Mock interviews prepare students to verbally communicate their experiences.

There are always student jobs available on Miami's employment website, so students can explore and apply at any time. Students who chose the remote option for spring are not eligible for on-campus employment this semester.

Lifeguard sitting in chair above Miami University pool

Student sitting behind computer in Library, smiling at camera

Resident Assistant shaking hands with a student outside a residence hall on Move-In Day.

Discussing second year plans with your student

Over the next several months, many students will discuss second-year plans and see information posted around campus. Please talk with your student about options, plans, and goals for next year. This conversation will assist them in making decisions about all the opportunities available.

One big topic is housing, discussed in-depth in the December issue of this newsletter. Miami has a two-year residency requirement. Start by talking to about what they want to gain from the choice of housing options. Do they want to connect with others in their major or area of academic interest? Do they want to get together with a group of friends and create a community around a theme of their choosing? The 2021-2022 housing selection page has information about various options available. Students interested in living in a fraternity house can also view the second-year fraternity housing exemption for more information.

Another important conversation is about their major and ideas about a career after graduation. After exploring or confirming a major during the first year, students often dive into major classes. Talk about what sparks their passion and what they see as potential careers. This helps with making plans for a major and an initial career. Spring is a great time for students to meet with a faculty advisor to learn about the organizations related to their major and opportunities such as study abroad, internships, and research.

Campus involvement: Meaningful connections

Spring semester is also an excellent time for students to get involved or connect with new clubs and organizations on campus. For students looking to get involved with a student organization, Miami's involvement peer mentors, called SEAL Ambassadors, are available to meet and discuss opportunities. To learn more about SEAL Ambassadors and sign up for a meeting, visit the Student Activities website.

Opportunities abound for community service, attendance of various arts performances, and other ways to engage in the community. Some of these outlets include Residence Life, the Cliff Alexander Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life, the Office of Research for Undergraduates, and the Harry T. Wilks Leadership Institute.

Miami Strengths, Leadership Certificate Program

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