Nancy,
We agree. Students think that if they complete training they are also prepared for the task of seeking a job. As you know - not true. That means that career services should have required training, courses, and workshops to teach employment skills and competencies. Grads need to take the job search slowly enough for feedback at each step. Eventually they will improve. But feedback and hand holding is our watch word. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Placement services start when the admissions representative gives a tour of the school. I always make it point to introduce myself to the potentional student, give them my business card and let them know that we have an open door policy here, and to contact me should they ever have any employment questions.
Angela,
We agree. Placement does begin with admissions. Let's face it - people want to go to career schools to get jobs. So the Career Services Director is a very important person. We have learned that many schools have the admissions and career service staff sit in the same offices! We also think that students should be required to complete employment skills training and meet with placement staff on a scheduled basis. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Placement Services at our campus begins when a student enrolls. Our department has a dedicated person that assist with finding part time employment to help the students sustain themselves through out their respective program. Getting in the classrooms ealry helps up prepare them for the professional world. If you wait to the end, you are way behind.
Debra,
Your services sound great. We also believe that placement starts at enrollment and waiting until the last class is definitely too late. It takes a long time for students to learn effective employment skills and to gain the confidence to be successful. We feel that each student needs a personal coach or mentor so that seeking employment is a great experience. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I do agree with it, because involving the student with the career placement is going to give them a good picture of the are going to do to be able to has job. teaching them how to create they resumes and to be professional on the places that the school send them, show them that preparing themselves from the biginning is going to help them to get the job.
Jesus,
Students tend to enroll in a school to find a job. They are not always interested in the courses they will take but focus more on how they will get employment. Employment skills are more than resume preparation and interviewing. It includes many other skills including confidence building. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Our students, along with their significant other and/or parents, attend an orientation prior to their start date. We hold our first Career Services Presentation at that time. It's never too early to get CS involved with students education.
Ronda,
This sounds great. We think that the people in students' lives should always be included. These people can be a support or antagonistic. So, good idea to know who are you are dealing with and help them understand the experience of the person in their lives. We also believe that Career services needs to be present in the lives of students starting on day 1. Plus stay a constant presence throughout school. We feel there is a benefit when students are required to meet with career services staff. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree the first day of class we give our students a resume builder to fill out.
From the time a prospective student steps into the building. They choose our school because they want a job, better job or a CAREER.
Stephan ,
Great. We feel that talking about the job starts in admissions and continues throughout the students' experiences at school. It is easy to do that when teaching technical courses like HVAC. Instructors can constantly talk about their on-the-job experiences when presenting each new skill in class. It makes the workplace real and the transition from school to the job easier. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Loni,
Very true, Loni. The reality is students want jobs and that's what they want to hear about when they interview. That is why many career schools now place Career Services staff right with their admissions staff. It makes it easy to bring in someone from Placement to talk about jobs, what services are provided, where grads are working, and the process. Often student success stories are what help to sell the student on attending your school. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree that placement services should have a very visible presence with the students beginning on day one. Regularly scheduled events, whether they be for training or social purposes, are beneficial if sprinkled throughout the program. This increases the approachability of the department and increases the likelihood of student engagement.
Jodi,
We agree. We also see the benefit of ongoing engagement and even required workshops or courses in employment search skills. Students enroll to get jobs but have little training to make that happen. In addition to skills, students also need confidence. That takes a while to build. We think that discussions about the job search process should be going on every day and in any way possible. This means in class too. Alumni can help with working with students on resume building, mock interviews, and just getting rid of the nervousness. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The placement shoul start from the biginning, this way there is more time to prepare the students for what they are going to face once they graduate.
Linnet,
We agree. Learning employment skills takes a long time. Building confidence takes an even longer time! That's why we believe that placement training needs to start on day one and continue every day. It can't be just a class or a few workshops at the end of the program. Everyone on staff needs to be trained to talk about job search preparation. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I believe placements start at orientation when we set the expectations for what we expect as educators and potential employers
nicolas,
Yes! We think career services should start the moment the applicant visits the school. Then career services staff needs to be involved with students on almost a daily basis. The goal is to keep students focused on the end and the purpose of going to school - to get a job and start a career. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I completely agree with this statement because practice makes perfect. A student who shows initiative and begins working with the Placement Department earlier on has more time to utilize the services and, thus, better prepare themselves for the job search and hiring process. This practice also provides more insight into life after graduation, and that leads to a greater understanding and discovery of where and how they want to apply themselves once they enter the job market. It is important to keep in mind that entering today's job market can be quite stressful. Fortunately, students may find relief after meeting with the school's Placement Department and this allows them to spend their time focusing on their studies instead of stressing over graduation.
