Getting complete job placement data
When a student is placed we conduct a brief survey typically over the phone within the first few weeks of employment. My position is transitioning into job development and personally some the questions seem very sensitive to me and in the past students have been offended.
How do you approach asking the student for sensitive information such as current pay rate and employment contacts?
Jessica,
Hmm, that is a challenge. We think that some questions can be introduced from the perspective that you are required by your regulatory agencies to report job placement and earnings. That the salary information is also available through social security. Suggest you work out the exact verbiage and maybe have an attorney look at it. As to employment contacts, the grad is not required to tell you that. However, if you have a relationship with your grads (via an Alumni Community organization) it is more likely they will be happy to provide the information plus lots more. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I have found, in the past, verbage and tone of voice has a lot to do with getting an answer. In the past, placement sounded like a one time shot at assisting a grad to obtain gainful employment. If you helped them get a job you're through with them was the mentality and sometimes still is. Now with the terminology of Career Services vice Placement Department and the explantion that Career Services is here to help today, tomoroow and forever, it makes it easier to find out information all around. There will always be some that do not wish to answer, but I have found by them knowing me through their time at the school , and showing them I am here to help, I get answers more readily.
Len,
Good points. Yes, there has been a great change from one-time career services assistance to workshops and semester long courses. Now successful career schools have the mentality of providing lifetime career service. It's a great idea. Students should be given every opportunity to be successful. They can recommend students to enroll, enroll in other programs themselves, tell you about job openings, where they work, and lots more. Alumni are great resources to learn about your school and how to improve. Many may lose their jobs and return for more career services assistance and to enroll in more training. So - career services has definitely evolved and continues to do so. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I believe if the student has been working with the Career Service staff and knows these are questions they will want to know, then it will be easier getting this information.
Thomas,
Good point. We believe that students should be required to work with career services staff and complete required workshops like preparing for work, resume writing, etc. The student needs a mentor or coach to do a lot of handholding to be sure the student is successful. Schools with great placement records have great placement departments. There is a direct relationship. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I think everyone in career services has experienced the uncooperative student/graduate at least once. To increase my chances of getting the info I need to collect later on, I start my relationship with the students in their first week of class. I happen to be the person who assigns the logins for the time clock. I make sure they know me and what my role is at school. Then, in their second marking period, I teach a 2 day course about job placement and how it works at our school and this includes their responsibilities -- like reporting back to us their employment information. I even have them pre-fill out the form we use to collect the info. I seem to get a very good response rate from our graduates. JMS
John,
Great that you begin the career services relationship with students on day one. We find that is most effective. We believe that employment skills training should occur throughout the students experience at the school. The career services department needs to become the student's best friend. This creates an assumption that of course the student will seek employment upon graduation. That is the point of attending school and training. We feel it is essential that the school stay in touch with grads after graduation through an Alumni Community. This helps to ensure that grads get employment and stay employed. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
we are grateful to our grads because they gave us feedback without hesitation that is part of the students - schools relationship
Martha,
It's great to get feedback from grads and stay in touch with them after graduation. Staff, students, and employers have valuable information for you too as you are developing your school. Thanks, susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
