to offer placement services to a possable student can be most benefical to the school as well as the student (closeing tool)so i belive it is equaly just as important to offer in the beginning as tword the end
Hi Roland, Exactly right - career services needs to be a part of the students' entire school experience. After all, they enrolled in your school to learn a skill and get a job. And they need to be trained in both areas. Thanks, Susan
I agree that it is better to offer placement services earlier in a students program rather than later. If your goal is to have active student participation by the majority of the student population, then taking the placement process step by step by regularly having the students complete assignments in a timely fashion and attending job search training sessions, one on one and classroom sessions, over a longer period of time will help. The result should be students who are prepared for their job search weeks before their graduation.
Very good Corey. We also find it effective when a school offers placement services just about on the first day of school. Students need to realize that preparing for work is part of their training and has to be built up over time. It's not a skill that is learned in a few lessons. Actually it is an attitude and a sense of confidence developed by learning about work ethics, the workplace, and also effective resume writing and interview skills. Can you share with us what you are doing at your school? Any thoughts about what additional employment skills and career services you could offer? Thanks, Susan
We interact with students by introducing ourselves briefly on Day One, then within the first two weeks we have our Intro to Job Placement session. We stress employability skills such as effort, willingness to learn and attendance. And that they can start building a "work" history in HVAC/R by attending school daily, getting good grades, helping fellow students and being respectful to others.
Hi Laura
This is great. We also believe that placement training starts on day 1. We like the way you relate attending school to building work history. Students are also learning work ethics by showing up everyday and on time! Thanks, Susan
I am in the classroom from day one so that way I can build a long relationship with them. I find this is the easiest way to keep track of placements afterward. Each semester I come back and chat with each class about a different topic of what I do with Career Services. I often attend some of the panel discussion classes or other student driven classes to learn a little more about each student so when they become "mine" I have some more info on them as an individual. We have a state exam that all of our grads need to pass after they graduate and so at orientation they get a sheet on how to save toward the cost of the test. We consider it part of school for our students to know what the Career Services Dept. can do for them as grads.
HI Krisitn
Sounds vry effective. It seems that you are doing whatever you can to gain a personal relationship with your students. The more you know then the more effective you can be in coaching each one in the areas they need help. It could be confidence, work ethics, effective speaking, dressing, etc. Looks like even dealing with the state exame Career SErvices is doing a great job. Few schools think about encouraging the student to save for the expenses of being a graduate. Great points. Thanks, Susan
I personally feel that placement services start from day one of the student's enrollment. The students should familiarize themselves with the Career Services Dept and its many services. Consult with a representative on establishing goals and determine strategies that will help them accomplish those goals.
Eric, We also agree that placement services start on day one. But we feel that the placement people have to be pro active and actually start with keeping in touch with admissions. Let the admissions reps know current placement stats and exactly what services placement provides. A placement staff person might even be part of the admissions process. Then students need to be taught employment and job research skills on a daily basis. And be reminded in every class exactly why they are studying certain skills and theory and how it applies to the job they will get upon graduation. Thanks, Susan
I immediatly start finding internships for our students . We run a school for Dentle Assisting and it's only 3 months , so the sooner I can get them placed the better. Most of them then stay on.
Hi Nikeline Internships are very effective for most programs and especially in allied health. Students need to learn how to work in a real clinic environment and with the public before the first day on the job. Internships give students increased confidence and also something to put on their resumes - especially if they haven't had much work experience. Thanks, Susan
I agree, letting the student know that help is available from the beginning will sometimes prevent a drop. For them to know there is student housing aid, child care and possibility of car pooling with students living in same area.
I agree, if started at the beginning then you can see the student perform in his/her chosen field to the end.
Yes Iva, we also believe that students need to know about placement and all student services as early as the admissions interview and then throughout their school experience. We feel that student services are as important as a good curriculum. Students face all kinds of challenges and many are not difficult to overcome. If students know there are people at school to assist them, this helps to get them to graduation day. Thanks, Susan
Javier - We believe that placement is as important as the theory and skills taught! It's a learning process and takes time. Thanks, Susan
Placement Services should start at the begining of the program to lay the foundation of a successful Job placement.
Very good, Loretta. We feel placement should start with marketing and admissions. The goal of getting a job and seeking support by the placement department should be on students' minds throughout their experience at the school. Job placement takes learning skills and building confidence. It takes many ways to approach it. Thanks, Susan
i try to meet with the new classes as they star every six weeks here. I go in introduce myself and explain what I do. Then as they are going through the classes I try to engage them in conversations while they are on break to find out more about them. By the time they are halfway through our program they have put resumes together and alos done a practice interviw. .This way I can sort out who is going to need more assisitance and be able to help them
Sounds like an effective plan, Glenn. New students see you around on a casual basis that they start feeling comfortable talking with you? Have you considered formalizing your offerings to ensure every student goes through ever "placement lesson" so they have all skills needed to be successful and build confidence? What do you offer those who seem to need more assistance? Ever thought of offering everyone the same skills? Thanks, Susan
