They serve as eamples or hopefully examples of what the student is there for. They can also share their own trials and tribulations during their jouirney(ies). It'll let the at risk students know that their issues, although individuialized, are surmountable and they are not the only ones to experience issues.
Hi Al,
I like the idea of having guest speakers that have made their way to the top. Great way to showcase what hard work can do.
Patricia
I contact guest speakers in the field of Criminal Justice, and try to have a guest speaker come in for every class. The people I ask are the top of the thier field. The speaker for Substance is 1 OUT 50 State Troopers that can test for Drug and substance use. This class of speakers will show your students what they can do if they apply themself to doing their homework and reading books to get the knowledge they need to climb to the top jobs.
The saying "been there done that" is often used by students--it is not until they actually meet a professional in their field that they can see that "the proof is in the pudding".
I invited a friend who is a motivational speaker to visit my class. He is funny and is able to bring topics to life. That night, Jimmy made my students feel valued. I feel that making a student feel like he or she is a valued individual goes such a long way in terms of motivation. After that night, the class seemed a little more committed and focused.
Hi Cathleen,
Guest speakers can certainly add validity to what has been taught or what will be taught. It is so much more effective whenever guest speakers reiterate what we have taught.
Patricia
Because most people have points in their educations and careers when things just weren't going well, most everyone has suggestions for getting/staying on track. A guest speaker brings a fresh voice to the classroom - a person the students know isn't paid to say/teach certain things - and fresh ideas on how to deal with life's obstacles. The guest may seem more credible on real world subjects because he/she isn't part of the established faculty. Also, students are sometimes more open to asking questions of someone they don't see daily/weekly - they don't take the chance of being embarassed with ongoing contact.
Guest Speaker can be a valuable motivating tool for students who are about to quit.
They can share their stories of career sucess they can give student a perspective on the career that they are interested in accomplishing.
They can encourage the students to stay the course and not give up and share with them the benefits they will gain if they do not quit.
Vernise Walker
I strongly believe that bringing the "real world" into the classroom will remind the students why they chose to come back to school. Students get caught up in all of the course work/ homework and can get overwhelmed. So bringing in a guest speaker is a great way to remind them of their goal.
Hi Peggy,
Absolutley! A graduate guest speaker can present from an entirely different perspective so that it seems very real to students.
Patricia
I love this idea. To bring someone you have taught and has completed the program, to the class to motivate the discouraged students, helps the students to see there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Someone else didn't give up and the guest speaker will let them know how much better life can be with education in a chosen profession.
Having a guest speaker breathes new life into the courses that I instruct, I teach dental assisting students and having a Doctor guest speak is very engaging and thought provoking for the students.
Guest speakers can be a value tool to encourage discouraged students. Guest speakers can discuss their life experiences in the field, and the hard work and dedication it took them to achieve their professional goals. They are able share the obstacles and frustrations they too faced as students at one time.
I find that this motivates all students. Bring in a previous grad, or an employer who offers great benefits and continued education.
Hi Craig,
Graduate guest speakers are the absolute best! They can shed light on a perspective of "having been there, done that." Graduate guest speakers are very motivating to current students.
Patricia
I like to have former students who are out working in the field to come in and speak. I shows the current students that they are traveling the same path and can be just as successful.
We attempt to maintain a resource base of graduates we can use in specific classes of various courses. In the capstone course in the MBA program, we have several alumni who work for a number of Fortune 500 companies, such that they can assist student teams that chose their company for the team project.
Students always look forward to hearing from a different source about their chosen field, past experiences, and in general another opportunity to ask questions, express their concerns and/or expectations about the career path they are pursuing.
I believe in using guest speakers as well as field trips to different facilities that pertain to the student's new career. It also gives them a broader spectrum of the opportunities that are available to them.
I like to use guest speakers who were once former students. I encourage them to speak about problems they had (time management, projects, quizzes, study habits, etc.)
I find the new student feels encouraged that they are not alone and perhaps the feeling of being overwhelmed is set aside; if he/she can make it, so can I.
