Get Your Students Hired
If the Placement Department is explained during admissions appointments is it necessary to have the placement department do a presentation during orientation.
Good points Dania. We think that the placement department needs to be in the lives of students on a daily basis. That's a challenge but it is fun to plan on the many many ways that can be done such as required projects, employer visits, visits from Alumni, and more. Susan
We think that the placement department should sit in the same offices as admissions. Applicants visiting the school should have a chance to speak with the placement department to learn about the job search process and the help your school provides. Most students go to career schools for he job. That's the reality. Thanks, Susan
The placement department is crucial for the student body. Every student should be aware of the placement department since it will help them acheive their career goals. Having the placement department do a presentation during orientation is a great tool for both the students and the departmen.
Good idea to show the reward early on in the student's course work -- a great job! Getting grads to talk about their jobs and success also gets similar results. And you can also get employers in to talk about what their employees do at their companies, how much they get paid, and how they can advance. Get students thinking about job retention and success. Thanks, Susan
I posted jobs on a bulletin board and told students they would be able to get jobs like that when they completed their course work! This generated a lot of excitement and interest.
Hi Lindsey
Well said. Actually we believe that the placement department should be present in students' lives throughout their school experience. Thinking about getting job starts on the first day of class. Best wishes, Susan
I think it is a great idea to have the Career Placement dept. be apart of the orientation. It not only lets the students become familiar with the dept., but it also lets students know the purpose of Career Placement. After all we are trying to make this the best possible experience for our students!
Wow Annmarie. You are most certainly keeping employment in the minds of every student. It's important as it is a way for students to check out that the job they are training for is really what they want. They can also learn employment skills training on a gradual basis rather than all at once. Helps to keep fears in check. Very impressive. Best wishes, Susan
Placement is certainly discussed during the Admissions meeting and tour before enrollment occurs. Later, Placement takes part in the Orientation on Day 1. We also meet with the students halfway through the first part of their program to review the options available to them through the Placement Office including resume prep, interviewing skills, registration onto the career website where all job openings are listed. Periodically we stop in at Assembly to keep Placement uppermost in students' minds. We also meet with each student before graduation to assist with their employment search and in any other way we can help.
Hi Yahaira
Great point. It's vital to build a relationship with each student. Instructors can usually do a great job of bonding with the student since they see students every day. But there needs to be a way for students to feel comfortable with other resources at the school. So placement staff needs to plan on ways to interact with students regularly.
Best wishes
Susan
I agree, our Placement Director speaks with students at orientations. It's also helpfull to start to get to know students and build a relationship with them. You can also get great ideas from them and their questions.
Sounds great Shirley. Are you conducting surveys to get student feedback, measure retention, placement, job retention, and more? These stats and info could be helpful to your entire school. Let everyone know the results of their efforts. Best wishes, Susan
Initially,students are introduced to student services personnel during orientation. They are informed of the services offered,our locations and are invited to come by ASAP. Afterward, we go into each class room to conduct mini-career related workshops. We also occasionally stand outside of our offices to greet students as they walk by so that they can see our faces.
Well said, Shirley, Students don't realize that schools offer lots of services in addition to training. Can you describe all the ways your school currently keeps all student services personnel visible to the student? Thanks, Susan
Even though admissions explains the placement department services, it is imperative that the placement department follow-up. If you say you are there for the students but other departments are explaining your services, can you truly say that you are? Nothing makes more of an impact on students than to put a face with a name or a department. This makes them feel that they matter. Once you have an established relationship, then students will feel more comfortable walking into your office for assistance. This aids in retention in that it keeps students coming back and referring other students as well.
Hi Candace
Really impressive career services at your school. You are quite right to let new students and even applicants know how much the career services office will play in their lives as students. Familiarity and comfort level are the key. And what better way than to show students that getting them ready for successful employment is part of what your school offers. You might want to measure retention as it relates to career services participation by students. It can make a great study and publication!
Great job
Susan
Good Evening.
I agree 100% that Career Services should be apart of the Admissions process and Orientation. I have been in Career Services for 6 years and I have seen the impact that it has on the furture enrollments as well as the students who make it to orientation. Our office visits every orientation and speak to the students about the importance of the CSO and the benefits it has for them as well as the employers. We pass out a CSO newsletter to them during orientation that talks about employers who have called in with employment opportunites as well as listing our placement rates and spot lighting a graduate who obtained employment in their field of study. We ask them to come by ASAP and get familiar with our locations and that they can utilize our services from day one. We have seen a different level in our retention by reaching out to these students who have never experienced a college setting better yet a Career Services Office.
Candace Chandler
Hi Amy
That's great. Now you might want to think about how you can measure students' awareness in your career services department. Survey to find out what they know and don't know.
Best wishes
Susan