I think that instructors already come to us with job search projects for students. I am so glad that they care enough to do that because it makes our job easier. When the whole staff cares about the students success, it makes for a good working environment and that's what we have.
Janet,
You are right that instructors have a lot of responsibility in the job search process. This means talking about how skills and competencies learned in class are applied to the job. Not all instructors know how to do this. In fact, we think very few. For that reason they need to be taught and asked to share with each other the best job search projects in the classroom. thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I think it's important for students to learn soft skills in addition to technical skills. Soft skills like critical thinking, analysis and problem solving are characteristics which are valuable in any work environment and what employers are looking for in new employees. Generally, employees with these skills are more valuable because they can receive on-the-job training, but teaching soft skills is more labor intensive. Additionally, by honing these soft skills, graduates will be better equipped to answer questions and present confidence in various situations. All of these skills can be worked into a variety of courses and provide lifelong learning skills.
Susan,
Very good point. Soft skills are important. How are they best taught and practiced in a career school? The answer is probably everywhere - classroom, workshops, by example, and more. It has to be in the consciousness of everyone on staff. Great to offer to alumni as well. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
We do strive to involve every member of our staff and faculty in the process it takes to prepare a student to enter the work force. One of the things we have our Computer Business instructors do for example is to have the students draft up a resume during their Microsoft word course work. This helps to get them started with those very important resumes, to have the teacher available to answer any questions, and it allows them to really understand the use of the program they are learning and how it will maximize their skills in the end.
Ivania,
Great that your entire Team is focusing on the purpose of training - to enter the workforce. What we have found is effective is when instructors know how to talk about how skills learned in class are used in the workplace. Relating the classroom experience to work on a daily basis is important. Other members of your Team can learn how to integrate the job search process in all their conversations with students. A little brainstorming and sharing and it is surprising how fast it works. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I work in a culinary college and one of the things that we like to do with the Chef Instructors is to do the final presentation with a jury..as if they were on an actual job presentation. This works really good because most of the job interviews on this field requires practical tests. After that, the students no only receive a grade but also a feedback about their professional presentation.
Another ideas are:
At the end of the course, students can have the opportunity to review the course objectives reached and what skills and competences were develop. This could be as part of the evaluation process.
We also could work with the professor of English Composition and do essays and compositions about their accomplishments, personal skills and abilities.
I'm eager to work with the professors staff to implement the ideas I'm learning.
Rocio,
Culinary schools, by their nature, offer so many fun opportunities for publicity, placement, and a lot of attention from the community. This is a super Mock interview! Great idea for students to see how well they did in learning the course objectives. It probably gives more meaning to their studies. Wonderful idea to involve all instructors in the job search skills process. Sometimes they just have to be coached on how to. Sounds like you have figured it out. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
First off - it is important to develop a strong relationship with the classroom instructors - this will work wonders at any school. Determine what information is being taught in the classroom and then begin to develop a strategy to support that information. It is also important to evaluate and make sure that the curriculum is not missing any important information - if it is, discuss possible changes with the instructor or make sure that your presentations will cover anything not already covered in the classroom. I find it's important to have the instructors on the same page as Career Services because, like it or not, the instructors are generally the most trusted voices at the school and you don't want to give students contradictory information and cause confusion.
Duncan,
We agree that employment skills need to be taught in the classroom. For every course students need to know how skills and knowledge will be used in the workplace. Most instructors need to be coached on how to do this. We also agree that curriculum needs to train students to be work ready. It is important to keep asking employers what that means to them. It usually means updating curriculum. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
I think that the technical skills inventory checklist would be a great way to incorporate the many skills that students overlook when preparing their resume. I am going to consider this approach as well for our placement service as well. Great idea!
Genia,
The checklist sounds great. Some students might not think they have the skills. This is a reason for instructors to think "job search" in every class. In our opinion, instructors need to show how each skill and knowledge point is used on the job. That gives every class a focus on the job search process. Instructors may have to be taught to think and teach like this. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
We have a number of projects and activities that instructors utilize in the classroom - they spend a great deal of time talking about transitional/soft skills and create activities where these are applied. They talk through resume writing and the importance of creating lists of job skills, experience, responsibilities they are searching for, etc. We offer opportunities for students to practice in mock interviewing sessions; then apply the feedback and continue with additioanl interviewing sessions. Students develop portfolios with best examples of skill sets applied like critical thinking projects, communication skills, etc.
kim`,
Great that instructors are part of employment skills training. Classrooms are the perfect place to keep the students' eyes on the goal - employment! It sounds like you offer all the right activities and projects for students to learn skills and most important - self confidence. Self-confidence takes a long time to develop and is often the key to successful job placement. thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
A favorite activity for job searching that an instructor can integrate into his/her instructional delivery is a job description analysis project.
The instructor may ask students to review a job description and construct five questions that an interviewer would ask. Each student would share their five questions with the class and learn which questions were most popular.
The instructor may ask students to review the job descriptions and select words or verbiage that they deemed relevant to know for the interview. Ask each student to define the words or verbiage and share with class.
Yolanda,
Great point - especially the fact that a lot of employment skills training occurs in the classroom. Great to have the interview process reverses. It forces students to listen more carefully during the exercise and during the actual interviews. Great interviews have a lot to do with listening and these skills are rarely taught. Great strategies. Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
First, my institution tries to hire Instructors who have solid work experience in their fields. I encourage Instructors to dedicate at least 30 per week on the topic of working in the real world. I also have guest speakers come in, many of who are graduates who were successful in their careers. Instructors also play a role in interviewing the students when time comes for their mock interviews. We try to expose them to all types of personalities and questions, to help them gain adaptability skills.
Marion,
Great that your instructors integrate classroom learning into how skills are used on the job. It's a great way to keep the students' eyes on the goal of getting a job. Sounds like you count on your Alumni Community for a lot of assistance. There is nothing more credible than a satisfied and successful graduate. What a great idea to have instructors conduct mock interviews. Students are already comfortable with their instructors. Thanks for sharing. Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
In our school, our teacher usually try to keep in contact with our graduates, in that way he can actually know what kind of knowledge should our student have to succeed in the field. He can discuss all this subjects in the classroom with our current students.
Linnet,
Great idea for instructors and also career services representatives to reach out to the companies where your grads work. Find out if your grads work ready? Is anything missing from your curriculum that is needed on the job? What new training will be needed in the future? How can your school be the training arm for each company? You can be ahead of the competition. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
