Hi Laura, Externships are certainly very important, and the start of the next phase of the students learning experience. If planned well, the externship provides real-work experiences that can be put on a resume. And if there is proper supervision and encouragement, the extern can gain confidence in him or herself and the skills they learned. With proper evaluation the student is truly ready for the job search. Thanks, Susan
Hi Javier, How is your plan working in terms of students getting jobs? And how long from the time of graduation do the students get placed? You can see that we believe that placement services should start at the time of enrollment. We have seen placement stats increase when employment skills training starts early. Also retention rates go up. We feel that when students realize that building job search skills is as important as learning course skills and knowledge, they are more prepared for the externship and the interview process. Thanks, Susan
I agree that it should be toward the beginning of the program. I believe the student will have ease of mind to concentrate on their coursework instead of losing their focus with their fear of finding work once they graduate. If the student knows ahead of time that there is support for them, it can help them to try harder to successfully complete the program.
Hi Chuong, That's really a great point. Address the student's concern about the job search in the beginning so they know there is help and likely success. And do that right away. Thanks
I agree that placement services are more effective during the beginning. The department will also be able to keep track of a student's development professionally as they continue with their studies until after their graduation.
Basically, placement services should be made available once a student has enrolled in the school. Job placement would become more focused towards a student's skillset once they have chosen their career.
1. Though unlikely, a company may become interested in a particular student (or groups of students) right at their enrollment.
2. Placement services for the student are available so that he/she may be aware of the job market, and start working, even if not in a particular field.
3. Students will be made aware of the current trends and select their coursework depending on the demanding job market. Internships can be planned and made available during and after completing coursework.
Hi Christopher, We think that companies may in fact get interested in students prior to graduation. That's a reason for externships! Getting students used to what is out in the job market is important. Although we feel that it must be in the field training for. Otherwise there is too much distraction. And yes, students do need to keep up with trends in the workplace and in their field of specialty. Lots of great ideas to keep employment a focus for each student. thanks, Susan
From the very beginning, after all the student is attending a career school to be placed in the field of study, so from the first semester.
Very good Maureen. Can you share with us what your school offers the student in the way of employment skills training and at what stages and how? We feel that employment skills training and career awareness should be laced throughout every program. We think that activities should be required and not optional such as completing certain thinking work, writing, research, attending workshops and job presentations, etc. Yes, students need to be aware of the "career" part of their training from the start. Thanks, Susan
Our school training is in the commercial art field, therefore many of the instructors treat the classroom as if it were the workplace and they are the art director and the students are the employee. This approach give the student a very professional atmosphere in the learning process.
Sounds great, Maureen. Makes us think about other types of programs where a real work environment can be similated in the classroom. Thanks for the information. Susan
Good points Erich. When a student is aware of employment skills development from the start it becomes part of the whole training process - not just an activity at the end. Entering the job market is stressful and stirs a lot of fear in students. After all, they are safe and nurtured in the school environment and now have to face the uncertainties of job interview evaluations, a strange work environment, and more. Thanks, Susan
We begin preparing our students for career placement on Orientation Day by introducing our Career Services personnel and providing an overview of the services they provide. Students in the first term are given a more detailed introduction to resume writing, interviewing and job search techniques, etc. so they can begin to develope those skills (and use them to obtain employment while in school if needed).
Throughout their course of study, we also use a "Soft Skills At Work" supplementary curriculum that addresses topics such as networking, resume preparation and follow-up, teamwork and teambuilding skills, social networking etiquette and communication skills (including email, cellphone and power point presentations)...all of which is designed to supplement the core curriculum in their chosen field of study. While we certainly are available, even anxious, to assist our graduates in career placement, we are even more intent on helping them develope the skills that will allow them to be upwardly mobile in their careers over the long term (teach them to fish so they can feed themselves for a lifetime).
Hi David, Thanks for sharing what you do in career services. Sounds great. We like the idea of introducing your team to students at time of orientation. Very important and you are right that many students could use employment skills while in school. We also agree that there needs to be a "curriculum" for employment skills training because these skills are learned over time - not just a few weeks prior to graduation. The concept of developing skills to be successful on the job is also key and few schools consider that. What about alumni services for your grads? Thanks, Susan
Placement services start as early as New Student Orientation. We meet with students and discuss any "barriers" to employment as early as their first day. We also meet with students in their first class to discuss resume writing, job searching, interview techniques, etc. However, in the past the placement department didn't reach out to students until the end of thier programs, this was completely unsuccessful and placed unneeded hurdles in the departments path to achieving bechmarks.
You're right Jay. A successful placement department doesn't wait until the last day of class to work with students on career planning and job search. Employment skills and mind set start on the first day of school. At least that is what we see works very well. A strong placement department is felt throughout the school. The placement department can also run an alumni association. We see the many benefits of a formal placement department. It's a way for increased enrollments and job openings. And it doesn't take a lot of work - mostly staying in touch with grads. Thanks, Susan
I agree. Placement services should start at the beginning of a program so that students start preparing early for the job search process. In orientation, I speak with them about joining a student professional organization as a way to start feeling like a professional, stay more informed on their industry. I also let them know that belonging to a professional organization could impress a potential employer and is a nice resume booster. Throughout their course of study, I think that they should attend certain workshops also so that they don't have to deal with an information overload at the end of their program. This might actually eliminate the amount of anxiety they might have toward the end of the program because they have already started the process and may be more prepared mentally.
Hi Jacqueline, We think the concept of encouraging students to join a professional organization is great. In fact, we encourage schools to include the student membership in tuition. This insures the student joins. Then integrate membership activities into the curriculum. Discuss the activities or newsletters and issues in class. Make belonging a part of the school experience. We also agree that career services activities should be interspersed throughout the program and we think they should be required. You are right - the goal is to give students skills and confidence. Both take time. Thanks, Susan
When we offer this service at the beggining of his/her progam for sure they will be motivated to graduate. They will feel confident that they are not going to be without information about the job market demand in their field at the time they can start to work.
Great idea Cary. When you think about it, the first question most leads ask is - where are the jobs? It may make sense to include a career services person in the admissions office. Also for career services to connect with the applicant and parents, as applicable, to provide placement information from the start. Also we see many schools offering a complete list of job titles and job descriptions on their websites, for all the programs they offer. Placement information impacts on enrollment, retention, and graduation. And of course getting the job! Thanks, Susan
Placement should start during the admissions process. We make all students bring a resume to their first meeting and we give the students suggestions on their resumes before they even enroll.
The sooner you start placement the more effective your placement will be. Some students need more coaching than others, so if you have a longer period of time to coach them, they will be more successful.
