Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

This is a good start, Fernando. You might want to turn your grads automatically into Alumni and offer them lots of networking opportunities. If they like what you offer than they are likely to stay attached to your school and let you know about job openings and other opportunities at the companies where they work. And if you need feedback on programs or referrals to fill your classes your alumni are always there as a resource. Hope you have an information management system to track all your alumni and employers too. Your employers are very valuable. Important to develop and… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

HI Isaris, Interesting approach. A small school can spend time to get policies and procedures in place for when you grow. Ideally you provide students with lots of employment skills training in addition to appearance and attitude lessons. We find that when students are confident they want to look good and find an inner strength. This takes a lot of training and over time. On one hand the "only shot at success" can be motivating. It can also make some people feel badly if they think they messed up. Perhaps a focus on learning from the good and bad would… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Great to hear that placement starts when the student enrolls. We have seen some schools include a visit to career services at the same time the student interviews with the admissions representative. We think that the assignments from career services are as important as any class they take. It's not just about how to write a resume. That takes 5 minutes. It's about getting the student to feel confident and successful and them having lots of practice and feedback in all aspects of the job search process. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Fernando, Confidence building takes time. It's not about a one time meeting. That's why we recommend that career services start the minute the student enrolls. It takes a lot of skill building for a student to be effective and also feel effective. That means several employment skills assignments and lots of practice and feedback. A successful career services department offers as much as each course. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Employer presentations...

HI Wanda, Sounds like you have a lot of strategies in place that work. You might want to look at the consistency and persistence of the career services department. Do you reach students early enough? Are there tasks for them to complete occuring throughout their school experience? What is their confidence level? Do you stay in touch with them during the job search process and give feedback for each interview. And most important - what are they doing on the job? You may place them - but what if they are a medical assistant and get a job in a… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

That's true Fernando. Can you provide examples at your school about how placement works with each department. Or if you have no formal plans what are you doing informally or what would you like to do? For example, you could sit in or near the admissions offices. Ask to speak with each applicant. You could contact leads and tell them about what career services does. You can go into each classroom and conduct job employment training, and lots more. And of course you'll want to measure results. Very good start, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Isabel, Yes placement does increase enrollment in so many ways. Thus it is important to measure your affect on enrollment numbers. A challenge but do-able. We also believe that a school website should have many pages about placement department offerings and information useful to students, grads, and alumni. Prospective students look at the school for programs and costs. We think what can differentiate the school is the information about placement and career services. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Isaris, Students will only feel a sense of security re job placement if you stay in touch with them from the minute they enroll. Actually we think placement should be an active part of the admissions interview process. After enrollment placement should be present during Orientation and also visit classes. We feel the student should be required to meet with placement and attend workshops to prepare them for the job search. So - security depends on how aware the student is of your services and how much they use them. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Great idea to contact employers of previous grads. While you are developing relationships with companies you might want to ask about how well trained your grads are and if additional skills are needed to ensure they are work ready. You are right - even if employers are not hiring it is important to make the connection. Your job leads will increase if you keep in touch with the employers on a regular basis. Be sure you send great information that is valuable to them. If you keep in touch with every grad you can have a source of new employer… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Getting the Word Out

HI Andrew, Press releases are typically sent to the media. Although copies can certainly be included when contacting students. You are right - when material gets into the students home, there is certainly an opportunity for more readers. And when press releases are published, copies can be made and handed out, mailed, emailed, posted on websites, and more. Thanks, Susan