we start placement since the students come for orientation. we explained them the process of placement and why is so important.
Jymy,
Great. We also believe that placement activities need to start on day one - or even sooner such as during the admissions interview. Students need to know that seeking a job is as important as training for a job! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I totally agree that placement services are more effective when offered to students at the beginning of their programs as opposed to the end.
First it builds a relationship between the placement department and the student, which is vital to both the employment search success of the student and the verification of employment success to the placement office.
Second it helps the student to envision their end goal, which can strongly help with retention and keep them focused and on task.
Third it is important to begin developing a students portfolio at the start of their academic career.
Fourth the students need to know we are here for them. and what types of services we have to offer them. I have seen many of university graduates who could not tell you the name or the location of a career services department at their schools.
Fifth and probably the most important is that the student having constant contact through out their academic career with the placeement office helps them to build on professionalism, work ethic skills and to know the expectations after graduation.
As a placement agent I know the hardest thing to do sometimes is to get a graduate who has moved on to contact you and in the business of proprietary education it is a must to know the who's, when's, where's and why's of your graduates.
Mary,
Great. When career services are started on the first day of class it gives students a lot of time to build confidence. Confidence building needs time. And a focus on career services keeps the goal of enrollment in front of students all the time, which is to get a job! Yes, students can build portfolios and hopefully be motivated to do their best work to develop great portfolios. You certainly demonstrate that you are highly skilled and knowledgeable in what you do. Be persistent. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I completely agree. The student needs to understand from the get-go that the goal of the school and the student is to achieve employment in the industry. Start right away - our career services reps are in the classroom during orientation and meet with the student not long after they start their program. We focus on media arts, so we stress the construction of a great portfolio. We need to integrate more skill building in the areas of interviews and business communication.
Marita,
This is a great reminder that all students, regardless of major, should be building portfolios. For media arts it seems obvious. Building a portfolio involves many benefits in addition to having something to show. It builds confidence about what the student is capable of and how they improve with time. This form of confidence building is vital for anyone seeking a job. We agree, that employment skills training and awareness must start early. In fact, we think it should start during the admissions process. There should be placement staff and alumni available for the new student to chat with. Alumni have proven to be very valuable and trustworthy according to studies. Sounds like you are doing a great job. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Placement services should be offered from the very beginning of their program. Because it provides discipline and outlook to began seeing themselves in that industry, preparing for their career.
Cheryl ,
We agree - career services has to start as early as the admissions process. We also believe that employment skills training needs to be laced within the students total experience - that means in the classroom, job shadowing, assignments,and more. Placement should be on the students' minds all the time. That will certainly impact on the success of getting a job! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I totally agree. We integrate marketing into our curriculum starting in week one. Every week students have marketing homework, along with their coursework. This creates prepared graduates- they have their marketing materials in hand, their networking strategies panned out, and have practiced their interview skills.
Kathleen,
Great that marketing and the employment search is part of the curriculum. That helps to keep student's eyes on the end goal - to successfully obtain employment. Students need skills and confidence. It takes time and know-how and a lot of hand holding. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree that placement services start at the beginning. I believe that the majority of individuals that come in to enroll is because they are looking for a career, better pay and opportunities to improve. Although admissions will talk to them about the couses offer, it is essential that career services talk to them as how that is going to answer their needs.
Leticia,
We totally agree that it's all about the job. This is why career services staff are an essential part of the admissions tour! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree placement services should start from day one. Students need to see that career services can help with many areas that will assist them with the new career path.
Dorothy,
Now that we think about it, maybe career services needs to start at the time of enrollment. Prospective students need to know that they will get a lot of skill training in the job search. They need to know that the goal of training is to get a job and use their skills and knowledge. That is why we often suggest that career services and admissions staff sit together. It's an interesting concept. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I feel they are best offered toward the beginning. This way you can suggest activities, volunteer work, resume building as they go through the program and be ready when they are at the end. Plus it enhances the relationship between the student and Placement Coordinator so they know you are looking for their goals, not just yours.
Leah,
The theory behind placement is the same as retention - early intervention that is persistent and consistent. Therefore we agree that career services staff should meet new students as early as possible - sometimes during the enrollment stage. Students like to know about the skills they will learn But in reality they want to know where the jobs are and how fast they will be employed. We note that successful schools start employment skills early and continue through the students stay at the school. Placement staff have been known to greet students with a daily question - do you have a job? How is your resume going? What's you 30 second elevator speech? Do you have an interview today, and much more. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I certainly do see the value of offering Placement services before, during and after the training program.
But, I can also see a disadvantage as well. One of the programs that we offer is only two weeks in length. By offering Placement Services prior to the class starting, office personnel would spend quality time with students who could ultimately "drop out" for a full refund. If something like this happens, which it could, the time and resources spent on that student would be 'wasted'. On a different note, because it is only a two week program, I can also see where it would be beneficial to see the students early to help them find a job earlier.
Kathryn,
Interesting situation, Kathryn. Is it a full training program that indicates there is employment at the end? Or is it job enhancement courses? Courses usually don't require placement. You can always offer these students job skills training or assistance. But you would have more flexibility. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Ultimately I think it depends on the course/training that the student is enrolled but yes utilizing placement services right off the bat has been crucial to many of my students. A lot of students come in with unrealistic expectations and myths of what truly goes into landing a great job so diving in has helped redirect many of their fallacies and misguided expectations.
Ultimately I think it depends on the course/training that the student is enrolled but yes utilizing placement services right off the bat has been crucial to many of my students. A lot of students come in with unrealistic expectations and myths of what truly goes into landing a great job so diving in has helped redirect many of their fallacies and misguided expectations.
