Get Your Students Hired
suzet,
So many students don't know what it takes to keep a job when joining the workforce; its so important for career service professionals to make sure they understand these keys. It certainly sounds like you're on top of it!
Elizabeth Kemler
The importance of understanding the five keys to work success is critical to long-term employment. Knowing the five keys will help you understand what the employer looks for and what is expected. It also gives you the idea of what a professional is and not all students know that it takes more than just looking professional is being dependable, making valuable contribution, acting like part of the team, growing in your job and looking and sounding your professional best that makes you successful.
Deborah,
It's great that you're emphasizing the five keys in your classes. As for the students who don't seem to appreciate the importance of what you're teaching, what about having graduates or people working in the field successfully, come in to speak to the class about what it takes to succeed in their chosen profession?
Elizabeth Kemler
I have found that many of our students have never actually been taught the five keys to work success. Many have worked various jobs in a short time. When they graduate they go from having jobs to having a career and the way you handle yourself is huge in keeping that career. We stress the five keys in class especially being dependable and not missing any time on externship. We discuss indepth the importance in showing up ontime, every day. The frustration comes from the students that just don't seem to hear. They are certainly the minority but I am amazed how many days a student will miss of a 4 week externship. I am still trying to figure out how to get EVERY student to understand.
Giselle,
This is so true and presents a significant challenge for career services professionals, though I do think that with the proper guidance (that you've described here), students can be ready to succeed in a work environment.
Elizabeth Kemler
Unfortunately many students don't have role models in their life that share these standards. What they may be exposed to by their peers or even family member that they look up to, may be very far from what The Five Keys covers. It is important to share with students what may sound like work ethic basics since this may be the only place they are exposed to it.
Greisy,
That's great. Someone from this course recently suggested teaching the five rules from the very beginning of their program so that the students were well prepared by the time they starting interviewing.
Elizabeth Kemler
Hello:
The Five Rules are very important tools in order to create a good professional and a good team work. Im planning to use the five rules in my class.
The five keys of success are:
Being dependable, Making a valuable contribution, be honest, taking responsibility for all your mistakes or missteps, be polite and make an effort to get along with everyone, curtail gossip and complains.
Ashley,
You're really the first person to suggest that the Five Keys be used in the classroom but it's a great idea! And I agree absolutely that they will be better able to ease into a work environment that way.
Elizabeth Kemler
The Five Keys to Work Success is extremely important for students to understand because it will allow them to be successful in the work place post graduation. Not only should they be learning the five keys to work success but they should be actively making an effort to incorporate them into their experience as a student and behavior in the classroom. Starting to incorporate the five keys to work success into the classroom will allow the student to more easily continue the behavior into the work force post graduation. Once their behavior and communication is that along the lines of the five keys to work success, it will allow a graduate to have a successul career in the field of their choosing.
Students, need to know that internships are like real jobs, and should be treated as so. They need to show up on time, do thier duties, and follow rules.
Carla,
Well, if it helps, you are welcome to use the five keys whenever/wherever helpful :)
Elizabeth Kemler
I actually think the 5 keys are important for everyone to understand. With such a challenging job market, I'm surprised that many do not strive to be each of these 5 keys. My "dream" would be to figure out how to teach Work Ethic, and potential employers tell me over and over again (which I already know), that it's paramount to them.
Hector,
I would also say that when you act like part of a team, you get the benefit of camaraderie.
Elizabeth Kemler
its very important , To act like you are part of the team. they will learn faster what they are to do.
Susan,
Thank you for pointing this out. I myself have to remind myself of the 5 Keys; its so easy to forget that we can (and must!) all continue to improve as professionals.
Elizabeth Kemler
I fully agree! I am from a massage therapy school setting as well and it's a profession that requires treating people with empathy and utmost dignity, while not losing your own in the process. I also like the 5 Keys because practitioners can get 'stuck' sometimes and not realize that there is room for not only improvement, but that there is room to grow and move up in the profession if they so choose.
Having the reminders of the 5 keys can help one stay committed and engaged in their current position, building those strong peer relationships as well as self confidence that can ultimately lead to promotion.
For most of my students, this may be their first job. The "Five Keys" provides basic professional behavior for them to follow and be successful in the workplace.
Rhonda,
I really could have used this information before starting my first job-it would have made things so much easier for me. Now, these things seem almost obvious but the truth is, it took many years in the working world to realize their importance.
Elizabeth Kemler