Sheri LeachCHEP

Kristine , You can start by asking your existing employers if they will be willing to take an intern or volunteer. Sheri Leach

Margaret, Work with the instructors and staff to organize events where alumni can come and speak to the students. It can be as elaborate as an entire alumni panel or one former graduate who stops by a classroom to say hello. One best practice: when an employed graduate comes back onto campus for any reason ask them to spend a few minutes speaking to a class and walk them right to the class! Sheri Leach

Kristine , When you break it down, Admissions and Career Services activities are quite similar. For example, building relationships, making phine calls, hosting open houses etc. Try to schedule some meetings and get the discussion started. I am sure that both departments will see the similarities and can then begin to work more closely together. Sheri Leach

Theodore, It should be the goal of all successful Career Services departments to foster on-going relationships with employers. We never want to place a student and not have any further interaction with the employer. Sheri Leach

Jeremy , I agree that most of our students want to be employed. They come to our schools wanting to succeed. By identifying their barriers early and addressing them head on in a positive manner! our students can learn to address these barriers and be successful. We have to show them that we believe in them, so they can believe in themselves. Sheri Leach

Ted, using technology for employment purposes is a must today. People communicate differently than they have on the past. Connecting students and graduates with potential employers via a school website or portal is essential. Can you please share a best practice or 2 that has worked for you? Sheri Leach

Gretchen, I commend your institution for working together to enforce professionalism in your students. This is not easy and takes a whole campus to act together. Can you please share how some of the departments keep in touch with the graduates and how they notify Career Services of employment information? Sheri Leach

Gretchen, Real world experience is beneficial in so many ways. Think about having the instructors help with this program. Interested students can also be asked to assist in finding employers for whom they would like to work. Start with one program (or class) to get a process going. Implementing new programs, ideas take time. Be patient. Good Luck! Sheri Leach

Gretchen, Real world experience is beneficial in so many ways. Think about having the instructors help with this program. Interested students can also be gass Sheri Leach

Gretchen, Agreed. Those are all productive activities. I encourage you to resume the alumni events. A best practice is to have these events a pre-determined intervals. Always let attendees at one event know before they leave when the next event is. Also, stay positive- turnout will increase as word gets out. Sheri Leach