Clearly, displaying TY notes and positive feedback is encouraged. :)
However, "everybody" in the office gets a certificate for completing training and CEUs.
To recieve an AWARD, I had to do be the best. I had to outwork the other reps to seperate myself from the "everybody."
Being the best in Admissions means I had to provide the highest level of service to my prospective students, helping them through every step of their critical transition to becoming a future graduate. The only way to win an award is by NOT treating them like a number, which the student will recognize by the way I interact with them.
Reason II:
It makes the other Admissions Reps on the team strive harder to emulate the quality of service with their own students when they see that recognition is given by the college in addition to the recognition we receive from the student.
And that is really the reason most of us do this anyway, to help the student improve their quality of life. So an award that says I helped more people get the education they needed to improve their quality of life than "everybody" in the office is an award I will continue to display with pride.
Although it is great to be the top rep of the quarter, I do not feel that the awards should be displayed in an area where it is visible to the prospective student. If I were the student, I may feel that the rep is getting bonuses for enrolling students. I think the students' may think there really isn't an interest in them, just the rate that the rep applies students.
I don't feel like it will be an issue to post any awards in your office. It is just a little reminder of all the student lives you have changed.
I also agree with Karla. I think displaying certificates of completion for training is ok but when a student sits in your office and sees awards for number of enrollments, it appears to be sales more than a service of helping to do what is best for the student.
I displayed my Outstanding Performance Awards on one wall of my cube. I also posted some of my students' achievements when they gave me copies to display (such as official letters of commendation). I think it added to an ambience of achievement as a strong value.
Many times they do receive bonuses. While I agree we don't want to make a braggy show of our awards, I also see no reason to hide awards, or the fact that we receive a grad bonus or commission, if in fact we do. It is the truth, and your student may well respect that and come form a commission or bonus dirven career also.
I wouldn't mention it, but I wouldn't deny it if asked.
Absolutely awards should be displayed. It gives the student the sense that the person they are dealing with is professional, serious, and attentive not only to the regulations but to the needs of getting the student into the program of his or her choice. It also shows that the rep is good at what they do.
I feel it is important to display awards. It's an honor to be recognized in this industry as a hard-working, dedicated professional. I also like to post thank you notes from students I helped. It shows I love what I do and believe I am changing lives every day.
I believe that awards and/or medals should be displayed in an agents office, because it gives the agent a sense of pride, and when the student sees them they begin to develop respect for the agent.
With everthing that is going on in the state house. I feel displaying awards is a bad idea.
I agree because students see what you have achieved. You must be very good at your job and make all students very aware of what the school is about and they have built that trust with you in order to enroll.
I think it depends on the type of award it is and what it states on the actual certificate. If it is one that specifically states the agent was rewarded for the number of students they enrolled, then it should not be displayed. This may give the prospective student the idea that the agent really does not care about them, just the enrollment.
However, if it does not show that information it should be displayed. Seeing that the agent the student is working with has been recognized can give them a sense of comfort.
I think displaying awards gives prospective students the confidence that you have helped several other students previously and are well qualified to help them, too.
I agree with Whitney. Typically, awards don't say anything about numbers. The awards we display are for things like "Respect" and "Outstanding Achievement". I think this just shows that we work hard to give prospective students the best.
Agreed. I believe the students shouldn't see that your the top rep for the most enrollments for the 2nd quarter. You want the student to feel as if they have a name and their just not a number in your books.
I think that advisor/agents should display their awards. It demonstrates their hardwork and their dedication to their school and to the student. The awards that should be revealed upfront are customer satisfaction awards.
Joe:
I think its great if an agent can show prospective students some of their own accomplishments, especially since they themselves are on a JOURNEY to COMPLETE something that can possibly better their lives and lives of their families.
I struggled with putting up my awards, etc. But after some thought, I decided that I should put them up. Reason number 1 for this is simply that I worked hard for the recognition. Secondly, I do believe that it shows those that I interview that they should have confidence in what we are doing because I've received awards for being good at it. It's all about confidence, as a student and an admissions rep.
I would agree with Frederick on this topic. Although awards can be misguiding they are not faced to students and should not be. I believe employee of the month and quarter should encompass a variety of things other than total numbers in the end.
It is important that the award represents great customer service, staying compliant, working hard for your students, and performance. If the awards are given out for those reasons (or possibly others) they are a great tool to try and motivate others to achieve that level with their students.
Something I take pride in most at my desk is not necessarily my performance award but the notes and graduation announcements I receive from students. That is what helps drive me everyday!
I think for sure you should. I gives you credability right away. It shows you are good at what you do and you are an expert!
