That makes me feel good because that is exactly what we do here!
Hi Amy
Very good points. The career services department has to be very visible. That means visiting classes, posting announcements of services, contacting each student to set an appointment, and becoming known as THE place to go to for employment skills and job search assistance as well as a resource about the workplace.
Best wishes
Susan
DEFINITELY take part in orientations and ANY opportunities to meet the student and encourage them to actively pursue their career from day one of training/schooling! You want your department to be VERY visible and approachable!
Wow. That's great Pamela. Can you tell us what kind of outcomes assessments you have in place. For example, what kinds of jobs do students get, how long is the average length of time to get placed, when do the students really understand that the placement department is available to serve them, how many alumna return for assistance, etc.
Thanks
Susan
One of our biggest benefits our admissions department uses to attract students is the placement services we offer our graduates and alumni students. We make certain that our "Career Services department/Placement Department take a very active role in orientation. We also have our Career Service Specialists visit each term (six terms)with the students. Our Specialist also stay in very close contact with our faculty members to promote career awareness, career goal setting and self-directed employment searchs. We find it very benificial to meet and get to know the students as soon as possible. We also have our students create a (Sample) cover letter summarizing their skills/qualities and send it to their appointed Career Service Specialist in 5th term to assist the CSS's in getting to know the student! We have found that immediate contact with the student has assisted in increased retention, externship placement, self directed employment and an overall imporvement on our placement percentage. It can be time consuming, however well worth the effort to get to know the students and skill levels in order to place them in a career that they will be happy!!!
Hi Marlene
Really great concepts. It makes so much sense. People go to school to get jobs. So shouldn't they see the benefit from the placement department services on a regular basis?? The more the placement staff interacts with the students the more you will know their needs and the better services you can offer.
Announcing graduate success is a great motivator.
Best wishes
Susan
Cheryl,
I think that it is important to not only do a presentation at orientation but also stay in touch with the students along the way as they progress through their courses. I feel that placement should be very visible and accessible to all the students, all the time. If you get to know the students you will get to know how they would fit in with different office environments.
Do you think it would be good to let the students know how many graduates have just started working in their field once a month to give them that renewed spark?
Hi Allison
What a great Career Services Department you have. You're quite right that keeping the student excited and informed about the career they have chosen is a great way to keep them motivated and successful in those challenging classes. Great that you have the Career Services Department so involved in the students' lives. How are your placement and retention rates?
Best wishes
Susan
Our Career Services Department actually delivers the new students orientation. We believe that by talking "job" during their first class (orientation), discussing success strategies and building their excitement about the career they've chosen, the student is more likely to complete the program. Our Career Services Director is also a frequent classroom visitor and is a guest speaker for our Professional Development class. We don't wait until the end of the student's program for them to connect with the Career Services Department.
HI Margaret
Great idea to introduce Career Services to students during orientation. You might want to plan additional times to tell students about what services are offered and how they can benefit. Sometimes students don't realize that they get student services as well as training for their tuition. So they have to be reminded by having someone from Career Services visit classes and plan programs that everyone can go to.
Best wishes
Susan
Yes, however during orientation this is the first step in meeting the new student(s) and be able to give a more in-depth explaination of what Career Services is all about. Possibly speak of the professional organizations available to the student, and get the students excited about their new career.
Hi
Good question. We suggest that the placement department play an active role throughout the student's life on campus. And after as well. Students don't always know that placement services are free and available to them. Placement personnel can have a great impact on retention by reminding students about jobs they can seek after graduation. Give placement a large role in the students' education.
Best wishes
Susan
