I believe that awards and/or medals should be displayed in an agents office, because it gives the agent a sense of pride, and when the student sees them they begin to develop respect for the agent.
I feel it is important to display awards. It's an honor to be recognized in this industry as a hard-working, dedicated professional. I also like to post thank you notes from students I helped. It shows I love what I do and believe I am changing lives every day.
Absolutely awards should be displayed. It gives the student the sense that the person they are dealing with is professional, serious, and attentive not only to the regulations but to the needs of getting the student into the program of his or her choice. It also shows that the rep is good at what they do.
Many times they do receive bonuses. While I agree we don't want to make a braggy show of our awards, I also see no reason to hide awards, or the fact that we receive a grad bonus or commission, if in fact we do. It is the truth, and your student may well respect that and come form a commission or bonus dirven career also.
I wouldn't mention it, but I wouldn't deny it if asked.
I displayed my Outstanding Performance Awards on one wall of my cube. I also posted some of my students' achievements when they gave me copies to display (such as official letters of commendation). I think it added to an ambience of achievement as a strong value.
I also agree with Karla. I think displaying certificates of completion for training is ok but when a student sits in your office and sees awards for number of enrollments, it appears to be sales more than a service of helping to do what is best for the student.
I don't feel like it will be an issue to post any awards in your office. It is just a little reminder of all the student lives you have changed.
Although it is great to be the top rep of the quarter, I do not feel that the awards should be displayed in an area where it is visible to the prospective student. If I were the student, I may feel that the rep is getting bonuses for enrolling students. I think the students' may think there really isn't an interest in them, just the rate that the rep applies students.
Clearly, displaying TY notes and positive feedback is encouraged. :)
However, "everybody" in the office gets a certificate for completing training and CEUs.
To recieve an AWARD, I had to do be the best. I had to outwork the other reps to seperate myself from the "everybody."
Being the best in Admissions means I had to provide the highest level of service to my prospective students, helping them through every step of their critical transition to becoming a future graduate. The only way to win an award is by NOT treating them like a number, which the student will recognize by the way I interact with them.
Reason II:
It makes the other Admissions Reps on the team strive harder to emulate the quality of service with their own students when they see that recognition is given by the college in addition to the recognition we receive from the student.
And that is really the reason most of us do this anyway, to help the student improve their quality of life. So an award that says I helped more people get the education they needed to improve their quality of life than "everybody" in the office is an award I will continue to display with pride.
I agree with Karla. I think that by posting awards for meeting enrollment goals etc. it could give the student the idea that you see them as just another way to meet those goals rather than really taking an interest in them. However, hanging certificates of completion for training and education courses shows that you are knowledgeble about your product. If you wish to hang awards or accolades of some type, you may want to look at hanging thank you notes or positive comment cards from previous students or employers about the quality of the program. This helps sell your program but doesn't make a prospective student feel like a number and has worked well for me in past positions.
Ryan,
I agree completely. I like to know that the people I am working with are good at what they do. I love the idea that someone would have accolades and honors for being above average. Awards are great way to get recognition ni an industry that does not "reward for enrollments".
I say hang them with pride!
I don't see what is wrong with displaying awards in their office. When a person receives an award it is something that they should be proud of. As a a prospective student, I would also feel more comfortable working with an agent who I felt was one of the "best" or most efficient agents.
I agree with you Whitney. As long as the award/medal is compliant with existing agent regulations then there is no problem with displaying such an award. However if the award falls foul of existing regulations then the award shouldn't be displayed and also shouldn't have been made in the first place.
there is nothing wrong with displaying the awards, it shows the experience that the agent has and his dedication to his job
no they should not, this is not a car dealership, we are dealing with potential higher education students
In a office/campus environment it is in appropriate to post any awards relating to admissions. It gives the wrong impression to prospective students.
I think it is great that employees are being reconginzed for their hard work. I work in admissions over the phone so this is not an issue I have ever really considered. I think I would feel weird having a student see awards in regards to my enrollment numbers. Students shouldn't feel that they are getting "sold" something.
In my opinion these awards also show success in helping students achieve their dreams.
I think gaining accolades shows a strong work ethic and dedication to the job. I agree with John, the state is well aware of the selling piece of admissions, and as long as the guidelines are followed they have no problem with it.
I agree, an initail reaction from a prospect would more than likely be that the rep. has been noticed and complemented for his or her actions and efforts, and is knowlegable in their field.
