Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Leah, There are many services that provide skip tracing. There is an increased number of services that help to locate grads and find out where they are working and salary. Staying in touch with Alumni is one way to do this. MaxK offers a course on how to set up and develop an Alumni Community. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Leah, Clinical rotation sites offer opportunities and challenges. The goal is to meet all requirements for each clinic rotation. This requires a checklist of knowledge and competencies to be practiced. We think this all needs to be formalized with constant evaluation by the site supervisor and school clinic supervisor Before students start their clinic or externships they need to be trained to view this as an extended job interview. This means they need to know employment skills. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Leah, The theory behind placement is the same as retention - early intervention that is persistent and consistent. Therefore we agree that career services staff should meet new students as early as possible - sometimes during the enrollment stage. Students like to know about the skills they will learn But in reality they want to know where the jobs are and how fast they will be employed. We note that successful schools start employment skills early and continue through the students stay at the school. Placement staff have been known to greet students with a daily question - do you… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Marketing Resources

Jim , It's interesting. It's very valuable to have advisory boards and also often required by regulatory agencies. The issue is always how to engage them and get and keep their attention. We suggest forming a board that represents a broad constituency. This includes students, grads, staff, faculty, employers and those who don't employ your grads yet, plus community leaders. Make it a prestigious organization. Plan only one meeting and one party. The meeting is set at the start of your year - whenever that is for you. All other "meetings" are held via conference call and email. Be sure… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Getting the Word Out

Jim , Word of mouth does bring the best quality leads, don't you think? TV ads might work and have some benefit. It is important to measure all marketing results. Are you getting qualified applicants? Will students enroll and be successful in their studies? It's great to define your market and figure out what will attract them. It is also important to consider markets you are not reaching. Examples - women for barbering or welding training. Men for RN training. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

Jim , Great that you have a lot of volunteers. Do they include mostly students, staff? or grads and alumni? It sounds like you organize very valuable projects. That means that students can gain experience to put on their resumes.It's nice to think about sponsoring major events. However, many small events throughout the year might be easier. For each event there are opportunities for publicity before, during, and after. All this keeps your name in front of people looking for training and looking for staff. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Leah, It is interesting that student and graduate success is so contagious. When students see that grads get great jobs the students will put in extra effort to do well and stay in school. Good placement means that you have developed good relationships with employers in the community. They see you as a resource for training and great staff. We think placement and career services impacts every area of the school. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Leah, Alumni Communities impact on all areas of the school - enrollment, retention, placement, and much more. MaxKnowledge offers a course on setting up an Alumni Community. I wrote it. The facilitator is a great Alumni Community director and has a lot of valuable information. So it is very worth while. Also look at this month's edition of Career College Central. There is an article I wrote on the return on investment of Alumni organizations at career schools. Or email directly for more details and articles. susan@susanfschulz.com Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Ingrid, This is a great step, Ingrid. There are a few aspects of this task. One is to introduce yourself to employers. Another is to stay in touch with them so you always know when there is going to be an opening. Employers can also give you feedback about your training and what additional skills they feel your grads needed. Once you have developed a system to meet and stay in contact with employers then prepare a list of companies that don't hire your grads yet and follow the same process. Good luck, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Ingrid, Thanks Ingrid, Successful placement services means persistent and consistent attention on the job - which is the goal of training. Great that instructors are conducting mock interviews. Alumni are also a great help in the process. They can talk about life on the job, the fears of the job search process, how to overcome them, skills needed, and more. We think that everyone on staff needs to take responsibility for assisting students to gain skills to get placed. Thanks Dr. Susan Schulz