demographics
How do accommodate students that have children or pets
Congratulations on the success with your students! Taking the time to work with your prospective students and brainstorm possible solutions as they work through their challenges can help to create win-win situations.
Dr. Jean Norris
I provided them with a list of childcare facilities in the area and let them know about our flexible scheduling. So far it been workout great for my student.
Patrick, sure, that's a great point. Allowing for an online environment can give students flexibility. I wonder, what if the student is worried about too much flexibility and needs structure?
Dr. Jean Norris
I think solutions for student with children or pets would be close family or friends that dont mind babysitting for a while. If a student expresses that they have good support from these indivduals, it leaves an avenue that cant be cost effective, and flexible.
Working mostly with online students is an advantage here. Our program offers the greatest flexibility for students with families because they can tailor their studies around their family obligations.
If your school has online capabilities or components, this may be the best fit for students with this worry or concern. This allows them the opportunity to stay at home and not have to find a babysitter or someone to watch their pets.
Cameron, these sounds like great solutions for those students with those concerns. I'm curious, how have your students responded to these in the past?
Dr. Jean Norris
Provide the prospect with a list of childcare facilities in the area. Provide them with a list of apartments near by that accept pets. And let them know about our flexible scheduling.
Javier, that's a great point. It sounds like you meet the needs of your students by providing a flexible schedule.
Dr. Jean Norris
It is fortunate that our organization has multiple time tables that allows these participants to find the best time frame to assure they can focus on their future.
Lorrie, great point. It sounds like you can start building rapport with others buy using common interests. This will help a conversation start to flow. The other piece you mentioned about helping a student outweigh and overcome an obstacle can be a useful tool. I'm curious, how have students responded in the past when you have worked through these options with them?
Dr. Jean Norris
Addressing children and pets are an easy topic for me since I have both.
Its about them using their resources to find ways to solve this issue.
First they need to think of people who can help them - next door neighbors, relatives, children on the street they live and perhaps even calling the local high school for taking care of the pets and children.
All these areas can be tapped into and the possible problem can be addressed successfully and with full cooperation of the outside world to aide them.
Possibly you can share with them ways you have gotten the problem solved - only then can they see that there is really not a problem but just a little rock in their way once it is moved they can see their path down to take advantage of attending school for the career they want and deserve....
tanya,
Nice touch! Going that extra mile by providing some possible choices and options is true customer service.
Dr. Jean Norris
This is a good question. Our school prospects tend to range from 20yrs - 45yrs, so this is something that comes up from time to time. It might be helpful if we established a relationship with 'at least' one local apartment building that may allow for children & pets. This would show the prospect that we aware of these types of challenges and have provided a possible solution.
Julia, that's a great question and a common challenge that we see throughout the country. It's important to listen to the student and their explanation of the situation. You may be able to help them navigate through different options such as childcare or adjusting a class schedule. I'm curious, how have you worked with these students in the past?
Dr. Jean Norris
