Placement services is first mentioned by the admission representatives and again at the admissions interview. The first day of school includes Orientation #1 which creates an opportunity to talk about dressing for the interviews, the four classes on the career search, the mock interviews, available workshops, and the availability of one-on-one appointments. In the career classes I use stories of past graduates' successes. All this is evenly disbursed during their program. The first career search class is scheduled in the fourth week. The homework assignment due at the start of class is a targeted list of 25 companies he/she would like to go to work for. This helps me learn their favorite industries. I feel it is a confidence booster to the student when he/she experiences my enthusiasm for their new career path.
Placement services are offered from day one at my campus. Many students are forced to leave their current place of work to further their education. My position is to make each and every student aware of the campus and all that it has to offer. I offer assistance to all students seeking part time positions. This continues for as long as the services are needed.
SHIKIRA,
This is sooo great. We also believe that career services should be offered on Day 1 as well as presented during the admissions interview. In fact, we encourage schools to have Admissions and Career Services sit together! Students might need part time work during training. They certainly need a lot of training in employment skills and the job search. In fact, grads need specialized career services training, too. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
In our field, skill-wise, not all students are prepared to go out and practice their skill but we do encourage them to research the field with the use of our library. A lot of them don't know about the vast amount of jobs that they are opened up to and our library has many publications related to the field that we receive monthly or quarterly.
Janet,
Thanks. We find that students and also applicants need a lot of direction about the career they feel they are interested in and in which they are enrolling. That's why we think career services should begin at the time of admissions. The school is responsible for guiding, coaching, and whatever it takes for the graduate to get placed in the field for which they trained. Sadly it is not something most are capable. We can train them however. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree that placement services offered at the beginning of a student's program is more effective because it provides motivation for the student to stay engaged and keeps the end goal in sight. Students can become quickly discouraged once they have enrolled into a program when school and life in general tends to get in the way. By incorporating the placement department into the student's coursework and school life early on, they will be encouraged and know that there are opportunities available if they continue to work hard and succeed.
Susan,
Yes, students have lots of obstacles that get in the way of being successful in school and life. However, it is easy to get everyone on staff to have a placement state of mind. Each employee and instructor needs to learn how to do that based on their job and involvement with students. It is a challenge but so rewarding. It changes the environment and culture of the school when people are talking about and planning for their jobs in their classrooms and in the hallways. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I ascribe to the adage, "Begin with the end in mind..." Establishing rapport with students during Orientation, and introducing members of the Placement Services Department helps to lay a foundation of open communication.
Later, frequent classroom guest lecturing on the multi-dimensional topic of professionalism fortifies the Placement Services role and its expectations.
Michelle,
We totally believe this as well. In fact, we see results when the career services team is involved in admissions. Potential students really want to know the kind of job they will get. They are rarely interested in the specific courses. When career services are able to participate in the admissions process there is a lot of excitement. Information gets conveyed about how the school helps to prepare for the job search process. Thanks, Suan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I want to be honest...Before starting this course I used to focus more on the future graduates... and that's something that is going to change radically.
I belong to a new school that is laying the groundwork for the creation of an adequate Placement Department. Now, I am more convinced that I need to start working with my students as soon as possible.
We provide an orientation meeting at the beginning of each new promotion and this would be the best time to introduce our services and begin the long and interesting task of finding the best job for our students.
First, I'm taking the idea of ​​working from the start with the Admissions team to inform future graduates of what is this field like: jobs offered, placement rates, salary rates, etc. Then, I'll get started with a workshop that I find really interesting and basic as the Personal Map for Success. This will let our students develop a plan on how they can get into the field.
I'm really eager to get started.
Rocio,
How lucky to work in a new school where you can set up student and placement services correctly from the start. Yes, it is important to engage students in employment and job search skills starting with the admissions process on. These skills take time to learn and to build confidence. An informed student is typically a successful student and will get placed in a job that matches their training. It simply takes time and a series of learning experience to be prepared. We don't think that workshops and job search skills training should be an option. It is interesting that great placement rates are usually the result of great student preparation. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
From my rior exp we have always done it toward the end, however in this school im currently at, we go into classroom on day 1 and 3 weeks down the line we begin career services training; resume and cover letter writing. Career preparation is essential fromt he beginning so they dont feel unprepared toward the end.
may,
Hi May, We believe that career services and employment skills should be introduced at the time of the admissions process. Career services, to be effective in our opinion, should be done every day and not wait until the last minute. We know of schools that require students to complete career services workshops, classes, and projects. It takes a long time to be sufficiently prepared for the job search process. It takes a long time to build self confidence needed to seek employment. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Placement Services are the most effective when you get the student to start participating early on and you get that committing to your program and process. Because of the industry that my school is in (CDL training) there are certain times where I have been able to start the Placement Services before the program has even started. It's very basic but because of the need of CDL drivers, individuals can apply and obtain something called a 'pre-hire' even before they have started the program. I do let them know that it is not a guarantee but it is always positive to see the potential and interest from companies - especially when someone has been out of work for some time.
Duncan,
Thanks. We think the pre hire concept can work for any career school. It certainly does for truck driving because drivers are constantly needed and you probably train Students to meet industry needs. You have a great success model. You train students to meet industry needs. Every career should be working hand in hand with their employers. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
I believe that placement should be offered at both the beginning and end of the program. This way you can prepare the students for when they actual go out to do their externship.
Selimah,
We also believe that placement, employment skills, and career services should occur throughout the students experience at school. In fact, we believe in the benefit of providing career services to alumni as well. We have seen increased success when students are required to complete employment skills workshops and even attend career service classes. Something to consider. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I totally agree that it is better for the student when they are equipped with th e techniques and tools to an effective job search as early as possible. This will allow them to digest what is required and find out more about themselves to help when interviewing for positions. The sooner the better!!!
Kendra,
We agree that career services training needs to start early and be consistent throughout the time the student is enrolled. There are so many skills to learn to be an effective job candidate. In addition to skills, students need to develop the self confidence to know they are good. It all takes time. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree. I think that it is important to start building a relationship with the students at the beginning of their program to help them to overcome any barriers that they may be experiencing as they begin their new journey in creating and accomplishing their career goals. Therefore, we are there to help provide any resources that they may need which will start building the trust that is needed to see accessing these services as an added value to their program. This in itself will begin the foundation of their quest and will cause them to feel secure in their decision for it will help to reinforce why they want to do this on an ongoing basis. This will help to build their confidence and build a network of support throughout their experience in school.
