I have to say that pulling in graduates who were challenged when attending school, overcoming those challenges and now are very successful has had a tremendous impact. This has been received but students that are discouraged and students that progressing through the program very well.
In my MBA classes, having guest speakers allows the students to hear from people in the business world that are actually responsible for doing the things taught in class. By learning the practical applications of the subject matter in the course, students become more involved in the coursework since they see a connection of the classroom with future work in the "real world".
A guest speaker shows the "after" in the before and after. Students get to see the fruits of their labor. And it is far from a one way street. I started out as a guest speaker and am now a program director.
Hi Michael,
Former students make for an awesome guest speaker. Current students seem to relate even better to former students as guest speakers.
Patricia
In the past, whenever I thought of having a guest speaker, I automatically tried to find someone from outside the school. I have had a paradigm shift. I never thought about using former students.
Hi Melissa,
Guest speakers really help the students to see the big picture a lot clear. They awesome resources.
Patricia
I have found that a guest speaker can shed some light on an area in a matter of minutes. The same light you may have just spent 2 months trying to "shed" for the student.
Do guest speakers just volunteer to come in I know the nurese I work with wouldn't bothwer to do it for free
Hearing "real life" stories about the career they are about the enter will allow the student to see herself in the career and remind her of why she chose the career in the first place. It also is very motivating to speak with someone who is actually doing what you are studying to do.
We are teaching economics our first time around with a very uninteresting book and a new prep for an instructor...We have many contacts through advisory as well as our externs.
This will be valuable networking and first hand experience for students to hear from someone starting their business to bankers, to investment personnel.
Hi Douglas,
Students like for the course to be made real. Students get it and are more interested when they can understand the relevance of the course.
Patricia
A guest speaker can bring outside relevance to your course. The individual can show how a real world setting is allowing application of the information they are learning. It may be just what the students needs to set in the course.
Students are hearing from an outside source what that degree can do for them.
Hi Brian,
It makes for a great connection whenever students can converse with a guest speaker that is actually doing what they are studying to do.
Patricia
It gives them exposure to someone outside of the classroom setting that is actually doing what they are attemping to acheive. They might find a common thread between the presentors progression in the field or just find it inspiring.
Hi Angela,
It is no doubt very successful to have a graduate as a guest speaker. Students get even more excited when the presentation is from a graduate because the students feel a special connection to the graduate.
Patricia
I think guest speakers have great value. I love bringing in guest speakers that have been previously taught by myself allowing them to speak to present students of their succcess in the field. Also letting them share their challenges that they also had while going through the course and how they overcame it has been wildly sucessful for me.
Guest speakers can be a valuable resource if you make the correct decisions in choosing them. Some speakers only want to dicuss themselves or what they are interested in speaking about rather than relating it to the topics being discuss in the course.
Most individuals who are willing to be guest speakers are people who enjoy it and will be a great asset to the course, program or school.
Guest speakers can also give a different perspective to the students rather than hearing the information from the same instructors every day.
Hi Kristy,
The guest speaker proves to students as well that anything worth having is worth working for, and there are big dividends to reap from hard work. The proof is obvious!
Patricia
A guest speaker is a great way to show the students that there is future value for the subject they are learning. The guest can show the students how they have used their knowledge in the industry. How to manage both school and life outside of the classroom.
