Keeping in touch
It's so hard to keep up with students once they graduate, especially those who live out of state. Any ideas on how to rope them in?
Good idea Kim, to use facebook and other internet social media tools. Also important to stay in touch with grads. Lots of benefits and as you can see, we promote the idea of alumni associations. These can be crafted to meet the unique needs of the career school sector. Lots of opportunities when keeping grads affiliated with the school. With alumni nationwide you could recruit in other areas of the state for example. Thanks, Susan
Our school has a facebook fan page. We encourage perspective students, current students, graduates and employers to be a “fan†of our school. It helps us stay in touch with graduates, allows perspective students to stay updated on events at school and reminds employers to call us if they have an open position.
We all could use a resident teenager as our social network mentor@
These social network sites are a great resource. I would definitely utilize these sites no matter what type of business I am in.
Hi Rhona, Yes, it seems that the internet and social networking is a great way to keep students in touch with the school, get feedback, promote your programs, and keep students and grads affiliated with the school. School owners tell us they have set up pages on Facebook and also Twitter, Linked In and more. Some schools set up pages for their admissions reps. Others use texting. It's important to speak with prospects using the technology they are accustomed to. Thanks, Susan
Email seems to work best for our school. We now have a Facebook page and our former/ current students send us updates on their progress. Students get a boost of motivation from other students and ideas of where to search for jobs.
Hi Faira
You bring up a lot of important issues. You are quite right that a student's contact information changes frequently. That is one of the many reasons we believe in constant contact with the student throughout his/her school experience. One meeting after the externship, in our opinion, is not enough. We feel that successful students are successful because of regular interaction with faculty and staff. You point to a reality about students with no internet access. We forget about them. That's the reason for getting their address and that of their friend or a family member. And if you send out information, there is an increased liklihood that you will get a change of address notice if they move. Another strategy we are suggesting is to keep asking the student - how would you like us to keep in contact with you? We have lots of valuable information and you don't want to miss anything. Bottom line- there's never a 100% way to keep current student information. But you can increase the odds. Thanks, Susan
We perform an exit interview with the graduates after they have completed their externship. What I have found is that from the time they have registered for admissions, entered school and gone through externship their addresses and contact numbers never stay the same. As far as email addresses, most of our students don't know how to work the computer or have a computer readily available. This makes following a graduate really difficult.
Hi Rayyan
Great points. Keeping in touch with grads is very important. They will often recommend friends and family or enroll in other programs. When they are employed they can be asked to visit and talk about life on the job, the job seeking process, and more. They might be asked to mentor or coach students or provide job shadowing experiences. Lots of school development opportunities when you can get the feedback and participation of your alumni.
Best wishes
Susan
A lot of alum have been signing up for Facebook services as well. This is a great way to keep in touch with former students as they will often put the college they graduated from along with the year in their profile.
We are looking into developing the use of SMS technology and keeping in touch with grads via text messages on cell phones. This is another great way to utilize technology.
Great idea Sara. You might also have a pre exit interview. Keeps students on the road to completion as they get to the end. Also ask for cell phone and a friend or relative's cell phone. Then you have increased your ability to stay in touch with grads. They make the best resources and are likely to reenroll in continuing ed or the next program. Best wishes, Susan
When our students are getting ready to graduate they fill out our exit interview. I always ask for an email address. I find email is the best way to get in touch with some of the grads because even if the move, they still keep the same email address.
Hi Billy
Always a good idea to keep in touch with students on a regular basis from the minute they leave school. Emailing is excellent. Suggest you also get their cell phone numbers and that of a few friends. It gives you the ability to stay in touch to invite them back, enroll in other programs, and more. Good work.
Susan
even if students leave the area, e/mails usually stay the same. on a regular basis, email all recent grads.
Hi James
Great idea. Emailing is so easy to do. Have to be sure that info you send is interesting, meaningful, and to the point. In that way recipients will look forward and value it. You might want to have special emailings for employers too.
Best wishes
Susan
I maintain a monthly e-mail newsletter for current and graduates about workshops seminars and jobs. As well as special events in house and external. It helps them feel they have support and contact as they need.
James
Hi Kevin and Brandy
Great to get on line with your grads and prospects. There is also IMing and more. Any way to reach the techno generation.
Susan
Brandy,
Lately we have been utilizing "My Space" as a way to stay in touch with grads.
Kevin
Hi Shirley
What a great idea to offer gift certificates that relate to the careers you teach. It would be interesting to estimate what it would cost in time and personnel to call each grad to get the information rather than offer the incentive. Might be equal to or more than the certificate. And then there is the PR value. Some grads may use the gift or give it to others who would learn about your school and spa. Many results hard to measure. Best wishes, Susan
