Dr. Susan Schulz

We totally believe in community outreach and relationships with employers. We feel a school needs one person who spends all their time in the community to make that happen. Thanks, Susan

We feel that instructors are great for providing job search skills training. They can give students a feel for the workplace. But instructors need learning objectives and learning materials to make this happen. Thanks, Susan

We like the concept of the hidden job market. Can make it fun to put in strategies to find it. We think it is easy. Just develop relationships with the hiring decision makers and keep showing them why your grads are the best. Thanks, Susan

Great point. And the only way to find out about these jobs is to develop and sustain relationships with hiring decision makers. That takes work but can be done. One way is to stay in touch with your grads and ask them who hires where they work. The goal is for all companies to see your school as a great source for new employees. Thanks, Susan

This sounds great. But are the instructors provided with career and employment training learning objectives for their classes and also learning materials? Instructors usually work in addition to teach and can bring a lot of the workplace into the classroom. But we find they have to be coached on how to do that effectively. And the "lessons" have to be coordinated to ensure the grad has the requisite skills for that first job interview. Thanks, Susan

Sounds like you have a great program to develop the whole student. They are learning skills, confidence, the ability to relate and communicate with a variety of people, and more. Sounds like you truly have an open door policy. That's one of the opportunities offered by private career schools. Thanks, Susan

We agree. In fact, we feel a school MUST have a community outreach program to develop and sustain relationships with all employers in the community. Thanks, Susan

Yes, focusing on meeting the needs of the students is key for student success and placement. It takes a system and in our opinion - required placement and job search assignments. We feel that employment skills training is as important as any course offered. Thanks, Susan

The Placement Department does a lot more than provide grads with their first jobs. Structured well, the Placement Department can impact on enrollments, retention, and of course placement. Placement can function as the community outreach arm of the school. You'll be able to increase relationships with hiring decision makers and reap benefits in other ways from these relationships. The Placement Dept. can and should in our opinion, work with grads and alumni as well. Thanks, Susan

Hi Fernando. You pointed to the importance of everyone at school getting involved in providing employment skills training for students. You are right that students need to change their ways of thinking and gain self confidence. This takes time. That's why we believe that placement assignments should be required throughout the student's stay at the school. The goal is a skilled and confident grad who believes s/he can negotiate the best job and not merely accept what is offered. Thanks, Susan