Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

Paul, Great idea to focus on the success of your grads. Ideally you stay connected with them long fter they graduate. Great to have relationships with high schools and the community. Building community relationships is essential in our opinion. We recommend that every institution have a community outreach specialist on staff. It is important to get to know employers and their needs and ask them to visit your school and invite students to their workplaces. We feel it is vital for career schools to be seen as a resource and there is interaction among students, staff, and members of the… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Michelle, We totally agree. Career services that are comprehensive and start from the time of the admissions interview and continue past graduation truly serve the student. The benefit is increased enrollment, retention, and placement. Another benefit is connecting with the community so your school is seen as THE source for training and work ready grads. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Michelle, This is so true. It is such an easy formula we often wonder why every school doesn't have a Community Outreach person. It is true that it is very important to ask employers what skills and knowledge they want to see in a new hire. Then be sure your curriculum supports these requests. All it takes is meeting, saying hi, asking questions, and staying in touch. If you see your Community Outreach person at your school s/he is not doing the job. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Michelle, We totally believe this as well. In fact, we see results when the career services team is involved in admissions. Potential students really want to know the kind of job they will get. They are rarely interested in the specific courses. When career services are able to participate in the admissions process there is a lot of excitement. Information gets conveyed about how the school helps to prepare for the job search process. Thanks, Suan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Michelle, Yes, we agree that employment and job search skills have to be offered early and persistently throughout the students tenure at the school. The results are higher placement rates, job success, and great relationships with the community including employers. Other results are increased enrollments, qualified enrollments, and retention. Thanks for reminding us of this. Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Ivania, Contacting all employers in the community your school serves is very important. This includes both employers and those who could be hiring your grads. We think that every school should have a Community Outreach Director out in the community every day. You are right about working with non profits too. They often know about jobs. Volunteer work is certainly a way to build resumes if it is the right kind of project. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

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

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Ivania, Great to hear that. Yes, admissions departments should feel the benefit of great placement stats. If you keep them up dated admissions staff can speak knowledgeably about jobs grads can get. Placement can be experienced in the classroom so students get experience about what it is like on the job. It means that instructors have to focus on how skills and knowledge are used in the workplace. Every employee has to be trained on how to talk about the workplace. In this way new grads will feel comfortable transitioning to the world of work. It sounds like you are… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Marketing Resources

Gracie, Press releases are great. It is always important to be sure they include interesting and verifiable news. You cam also send out calendar items, which also get a lot of attention. As far as print and other media, ask yourself what the profile of your ideal student is. Then ask yourself how you can reach that specific market. Some methods don't work for who you may want to attract. Involving advisory board members is always important. That's why we suggest inviting lots of qualified people to be members. Sounds like you are doing great. Good luck, Susan Dr. Susan… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Getting the Word Out

Gracie, This sounds great. One of the secrets to a good blog is content. Is your content interesting and valuable? How are people responding? What is most of the conversation about? What changes can you make as a result of what you discover on your blogs? How else can you use it? I guess I've asked a lot of questions. Will be interested in your answers! Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz