JOB HUNT
What are some ways to keep students from be discouraged about finding employment?
Melissa,
That seems to work quite well; also having people working in the industry come to speak as well as job fairs.
Elizabeth Kemler
Have other graduates come in and share their experiences
Missy,
This sounds like a great approach; never underestimate the power of a positive career mentor when looking for a job.
Elizabeth Kemler
I send my students weekly e-mails with links to job openings and I try to be up beat and positive in the e-mails also. Whenever I get a real discouraged graduate that comes in to my office I give them pep talks. It always seems to work and within a few weeks they find a job :-)
suzet,
That's always a helpful thing to have; what I was speaking about though was something that came directly from career services and had job-related information, inspiration, ideas (like resume tips, etc.).
Elizabeth Kemler
We have an allumni e-mail blast that annouces all up coming events, speakers, competitions, and job fairs that they are qualafied to attend.
suzet,
I am in full agreement with everything you've listed here. Do you also offer ongoing support to your students in the way of meetings, phone calls, emails? I know many schools simply don't have the resources to provide this degree of support, but I've found that even a little such reinforcement goes a long way. Career services e-newsletters also seem to work quite well.
Elizabeth Kemler
The ways I would keep my students from getting discourage about finding a job is by providing them with the right tools for a sucessful resume and interview. I would motivate my student to stay possitive, focused and repeatly remind them of their strength which were already acknoledge by the activities or courses they have come across. Maintaining positive, being mentally prepared, staying focused on your goals and keeping a good posture i think will open lots of doors to my students.
Tania,
These are great ideas. Also, if you are able to include some kind of motivational message in your emails as well, I always find that helps as well.
Elizabeth Kemler
I sent them e-mails every week with the new job posting we have available in each different field. Supporting them with Employability Skill, Interview Mock, in order to make them feel supported and confident about the job search and themselves.
nicolas,
I think newsletters are a great idea as they provide consistent inspiration and keep the students connected to the school and to each other.
Elizabeth Kemler
IN our Career center department we like to send out a monthly news letter that give employed graduate success stories including pictures and a statement from the graduate telling the other graduates how they became successful and what worked for them
Susan,
Thats a great service your providing your students-they are lucky to have such a committed teacher!
Elizabeth Kemler
I send out a weekly email that contains job postings that I have found online for that week as well as perhaps a link to a new article about resume writing, or interviewing tips.
I remind them of ways to stay organized in their searching and to most of all reach out to Career Services for support if they are struggling!
Amy,
That's definitely helpful and encouraging. Do you help them find ways of networking?
Elizabeth Kemler
I send them e-mails weekly encouraging them to continue their search and share good news regarding past graduates and their successes.
Germaine,
You're so right. For most people the job search is an overwhelming endeavor-often frustrating and disheartening but it sounds like you are doing the right things to help them through the process.
Elizabeth Kemler
I assist my students by motivating them and offering as many resources to assist them in their job search. It is very hard and tedious to look for employment. The applications are very lengthy, time consuming and very fustrating. I found the information very informative and will suggest the great ideas given to my students. I will suggest that we aslo include in our school classifieds that we include the suggestive ideas to keep them motivated and less frustated. Research and knowing where to go and what exactly to do is very helpful for our students. Job search/hunt has changed alot and keeping our students abreast of the changes is the best suggestion for them.
ruth,
I always think it's a great idea to have former students who are now working in the field come in and speak.
Elizabeth Kemler
