A Letter to the Parents of New Graduates, From a Coach Who Gets It
They’ve done it. After years of effort—exams, late nights, pressure, growth, and everything in between—your child has crossed the graduation stage. You cheered, you celebrated, and you probably felt that mix of overwhelming pride and quiet uncertainty that so many parents feel at this turning point.
Because once the cap and gown come off, a new question takes its place: Now what?
If that question has been lingering in your mind lately, you’re not alone.
In the weeks and months after graduation, many parents find themselves in unfamiliar territory. You’ve spent years supporting your child through school—helping them stay focused, make smart decisions, and cross the finish line. But now the landscape has changed, and the future feels more complex than ever.
Here's The Truth That No One Talks About
A degree used to feel like a guaranteed launchpad. Today? It’s only part of the story. The workplace your graduate is entering looks nothing like the one many of us stepped into. It’s fast-moving, shaped by automation and AI, and often unclear on what exactly it expects from young professionals. Job titles shift overnight. Interviews happen over Zoom. Career paths are no longer linear.
Even the most capable young adults can feel overwhelmed, behind, or unsure of what “success” should look like.
And for you, the parent, it’s a delicate balancing act: You want to help, but you don’t want to hover. You want to give them space, but you also want to set them up for real momentum.
This is where I come in.
How I Help: Strategy for the Next Step
I’m Rob Stogsdill—executive coach, leadership educator, and longtime mentor to students at the University of Texas at Dallas. I’ve spent my career leading tech teams and guiding professionals at every level. And now, one of the things I care about most is helping new graduates navigate the leap from campus to career.
That means helping your child:
Understand the job market (and how to stand out in it)
Build a resume that actually highlights what makes them valuable
Learn to interview with confidence and authenticity
Figure out what kind of work actually fits who they are—and who they’re becoming
But more than anything, it means reminding them of this:
You don’t have to have it all figured out. You just need a smart place to start.
What Young Professionals Really Need
This transition isn’t just about jobs—it’s about identity. Your graduate is learning to see themselves not just as a student, but as a contributor, a professional, a leader in the making.
They’re figuring out how to balance ambition with reality. How to advocate for themselves. How to build a career that grows with them, instead of one they grow out of.
And they’re doing all this in a time of unprecedented change.
That’s why coaching at this stage isn’t about pressure—it’s about perspective. Not forcing a plan, but creating space to explore smart options.
And What You Need to Know as a Parent
You’re still a vital part of this process—but your role is shifting.
It’s not about finding the answers for them. It’s about helping them ask better questions. Not pushing them toward a path—but making sure they know they have support as they walk it.
Let me offer this: If your graduate is feeling unsure, or if you’re just wondering how to help them move forward without stepping in too much—I’m here. This is what I do.
Because confidence doesn’t come from knowing exactly what to do. It comes from knowing you don't have to figure it all out alone.
Ready for a Conversation?
Let’s help your graduate move from overwhelmed to equipped.
🎓 Whether you’re a parent who wants to set them up for success,
🎓 Or a graduate ready to take the first smart step— This is a great place to start.
Let’s have a conversation - set up a free call in my calendar here
Your future isn’t handed to you. You build it. One smart move at a time.
— Rob