Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Enrollment Management and Graduate Employment Outcomes

Viola, Yes, this is common in many organizations. There are several things you can do to help build a partnership with Admissions. Both departments have the best interests of the student in mind, but once everyone realizes that both jobs are similar it will be easier to move forward. Both CS and Admissions are relationship builders, both reach out to their clients (prospective students and prospective employers), via phone calls and then arrange meetings. Both teams have goals and outcomes they are working towards and both teams can be motivated and encouraged in the same way. Think of ways the… >>>

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

The Placement Model

Viola, Thanks for sharing what you do and what is working for you. In this age of social media, Skype interviews and video resumes are becoming more popular. Also a best practice that I have learned is to record students during their mock interview, and then play it back to provide feedback and to make the student aware of how they are presenting themselves. Do you address any of these items in your classes? Do you have experience with either? Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

The Placement Model

Viola, Giving students the skills to find and keep a job is one of the best lessons we can teach them. Educating them while they are in school as to how to network, how to properly shake a potential employer's hand, how to prepare for an interview and how to act during an interview are just a few of the topics on this subject. Some institutions have written these topics into their curriculum so that instructors are talking about these soft skills throughout the student's lifecycle. Others conduct workshops and classes that include interactive activities and also give homework which… >>>

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Experiential Learning

Marsha, You bring up an interesting point. Different institutions define internships and externships differently. In some programs, they are a requirement of the curriculum, some are paid positions and some are voluntary. All provide useful experience to the student. Externships that provide a "working interview" is great experience for the student, it increases their self- confidence and may lead to a paid position after graduation. To further this discussion, can you be more specific as to the differences between the internship and externship at your organization? Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

The Placement Model

Viola, The Career Schools of today technically train their students for the workplace and also provide employability skills and training. In your experience, how has today's (non-traditional) student benefited from this approach? Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Barriers to Employment and Intervention Strategies

Marsha, A Ride Share Board is a great idea. Please describe how your ride share board is designed and what makes it successful. Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Targeting Intervention Strategies

Stephanie , Meeting students one on one can help you assess their employability skills and determine if there are any barriers to employment. Are you in a position where you are able to meet with all of your students for an extended period of time? Do you think in schools with larger ratios of student population to career services professionals would benefit from a more formalized assessment? Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Enrollment Management and Graduate Employment Outcomes

Stephanie, This is a fine example of how departments can help each other and work together for the benefit of the institution and the students. Your knowledge of industry trends and employment opportunities is beneficial in helping the institution to determine which programs to offer that can lead to successful employment for the students. Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Relationship-building Strategies

Stephanie , Open communication and everyone working towards the same goals encourages collaboration and improves the chances for success. Setting expectations at the onset is paramount. Continuing to work together can encounter some challenges. To help others, Can you share some of your "rules of engagement" that begin with? Sheri Leach

Sheri Leach CHEP

Discussion Comment

Event Programming

Cathy, Working so closely with the instructors/the education department is truly one way to increase overall placement rate. I appreciate that your institution has a curriculum review and follows up on areas that are needed. Let us know if you have any challenges and/or suggestions as you move forward. Sheri Leach