The many hats of a 1-person Career services Department
After a lengthy career in the juvenile justice system, I embarked on a new journey with Career Services. I am almost three months into my new journey. I am a 1-person department at a business school. I also teach two externship classes. I have gained lots of insight from meeting with and shadowing a Career services Director from a sister campus and from the former Director who has been gracious to offer assistance when she is available.
Juggling the different responsibilities has been the biggest hurdle. Our campus has an open door policy for our students, meaning that students are free to stop in the office with or without an appointment, so many days are unpredictable and atr times, other tasks are left incomplete. Any advice on how to better balance the work day?
I find myself in the same situation. I am a 1 person department but also oversee and help out the Career Services Department at our other campuses. They best advice that I can give someone is to make list! It helps you focus on one task at a time and allows you to see what is the most important task of the day.
I also have to say that asking from help for small task is also an options. I work in an office where if someone has a slow day they are willing to help out. This does not make you look like you cannot do your job is just allows you to prioritize and keep you sanity.
Jorge,
Yes, work in Career Services is very demanding. Typically the department is understaffed. Doing everything does have the advantage of learning about all the tasks that need to be done. There is especially a lot of work if students start employment skills training on day one and if career services is involved in admissions, which it should be. That is why we believe that Alumni be asked to assist. Alumni usually like to give their time and can help coach and mentor students and tell you where the jobs are. Career services staff should also spend a lot of time visiting companies that hire your grads. It's a busy day! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
working in Career Services is hard enough fully staffed, but to have to wear a plethora of hats does give you a keen insight as to what the needs of the department are as a whole, organization and communication are key and although at times there does not appear to be enough hours in a day at the end of the day the appreciation of the Grads that you are assisting in jumpstarting their new careers is well worth the stress. It is not for everyone but the reward is very fulfilling
Genia,
Good point. No one tells students that career and other student services are what they get as part of their tuition and really not an option. I also wish I knew about these services when in college as a liberal arts major! This awareness, however, can help to figure out what it will take so your students know! It starts in admissions and continues by requiring students to participate in career services offers. The reality is they will not voluntarily visit career services staff. They need coaching and hand holding. Requiring participation and completion of employment skills projects seems to be the best way. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I think that it is important for student services to work closely with placement departments for it is true that many students don't know that this service is a part of their tuition.
I wish I would have had access to a program such as this when I was in college many years ago. I didn't understand the role that the program provided and therefore, I didn't get the assistance that I needed for I was the first black student to graduate from the university with my degree in Liberal Arts Studies with a minor in Italian, and music voice.
Kendra,
Yes, career services staff has so much to do. You have to spend time in the community developing relationships with employers. You have to work with students so they are ready for their first interview. You have to coach your instructors and staff to do their part. You might want to call on Alumni to assist with some of these tasks. An Alumni Community keeps your grads attached to your institution and available to assist. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
As you know you definitely have to be able to multi-task. It will take you a long way when you are assisting students with career opportunities. A good way to streamline your day would be to access the top main reason for the walk-in inquiries such as resume review or interview preparation and set up weekly schedules for students to come in for the specialized assistance. This can help you plan out your week.
Rocio,
We agree that student services and placement departments should work closely together. It does increase student visits to both departments. Often students don't realize these services "come with" their tuition. If they do find out about the services, it is often too late. A thought is to require students to visit both departments and assign tasks and activities they must complete. Skills to stay in school and the job search process take time and confidence building. So why not make it part of each students requirements to complete their training? Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I'm experiencing a similar situation. I'm in charge of the Student Service Department and also Placement Service. We also have an open door policy in our shared office...yes, "shared office" with all the other academic department... so you can imagine the difficulties of the space and time... But, on the good side, this situation has made possible to know all the students and they feel free to contact me when they need our service. Also, I keep an agenda and a Service Register List for the students. The agenda helps me to stay focus on the principal activities (I'm recording everything on a Department Weekly Agenda) and the list helps me with the students. If they arrive with a non so urgent matter I put them on the "waiting" list and I'll contact them maximum 1 day after... BUT it's very important that you contact them ASAP... otherwise they will come back with a complain or even worst they will not come back.
Keep going.. I think we have a rewarding job, you'll see it when your students get the job they always want... :)
Erica,
There are many career schools with just one person in the career services department. Worse yet, the one person also has many other responsibilities. The goal is to get helpers. Often this includes Alumni who can coach students in all areas of employment skills and mentor them. That's a reason to stay in touch with your Alumni. MaxKnowledge offers an online course to tell you how. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Sounds like you are headed in the right path. Keep doing what your doing and you will be where you want to be in no time. Congrats.
Shelisa,
Wow. Sounds like quite a challenge and it sounds like you are doing great! Good news is about shadowing is you can learn a lot quickly. Other news is that you learn the good and the bad of what your colleague does and could be limited by her thinking and approach. Perhaps you could start by asking key people at your school what their vision is of an ideal career services department and what they think their involvement is in successful student placement. Also set goals with the buy-in of everyone and weekly updates on how everyone is doing on the goals. Interesting about the open door policy. I can argue for and against. Since I need quiet thinking time every day I guess I don't like it. Perhaps you can ask for more details about the policy and how it can be modified to balance your day. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
