Community Partnerships
I would very much like to create an official Alumni Association. I feel that although we do reach out to our alumni to get involved in class presentations and "Pro" mentors, we may be missing out on a number of other mutually beneficial support services and resources.
I would also like to see us provide more interactive and fun events (employer appreciation luncheons, block party for the business neighborhood, public forums) both as a way of developing relationships and gathering feedback, input, etc. We used to do these but unfortunately have discontinued due to budget restrictions.
What are some new opportunities for improved partnerships you believe your institution should adopt to move forward?
Janet,
The use of social media tools expand and enhance career services abilities to serve students such as the examples you provide on how you'd specifically like to use LinkedIn. However, this is not an example of a "community partnership" as explained in the course. The use of social media tools are similar to using any other tool at one's disposal to achieve goals (i.e. the internet, a phone, a fax machine, mobile apps, etc.). Beyond your desire to use social media tools, was your intention to express some sort of actual partnership between the company, LinkedIn, and your institution? Can you please explain in the event others have misunderstood?
Additionally, playing devil's advocate, I would ask why limit one's self to a single tool like LinkedIn? Why not use multiple tools with different intent to accomplish goals? Certainly, there are many advantages to using Facebook as a means to mine for data, strategically engage with graduates and students, build affinity among the student/graduate population, build online communities via pages, profiles or groups, etc. You may be interested in reviewing CS104 - Developing a Social Media Strategy for Career Services.
Robert Starks Jr.
A lot of people are using facebook nowadays but I would like to start each of our students on Linkedin for a couple reasons. Number one, they can network with groups and professional organizations in their chosen career fields and we can help them find these groups. Number two, for the ones that are not calling us back, if they continue to use linked in, we will find their employment information anyway. Some students are flat out bad at calling us back even if we had spent a lot of time with assisting them in finding a job.
Carolyn,
I think such agreements are a huge opportunity for all of higher education. The more options to transfer credits, the better for students and the institutions who develop such agreements. How do you think your institution can get started on partnering with surrounding institutions? Perhaps your institution can invite leaders at various institutions and host them to discuss...I wish you luck!
Robert Starks Jr.
Robert,
I would love to see our institution adopt a reciprocity agreement for transfer credit to a local university. I think it would increase opportunities for Admissions for programs such as our Business and Registered Nursing programs, and generate mutually beneficial PR for both our Institution and the receiving Institution.
Kathy,
Budget is a real issue that many institutions face. I think if you brainstorm with others, you can identify events that serve your goals and don't break the bank. Let me give you an example simply to hopefully spark your own ideas. Here's an example with a ground campus as the scenario (and I'm giving you the short version vs. explaining all the reasons why one might choose this particular type of intervention strategy):
Potential Career Problem: The majority of the student population needs to practice "professional" skills that influence employability
Narrow the problem: Among "professional skills," networking and interacting in a social setting is something students fear and most demonstrate anxiety, thus, they may be reluctant to network which is critical to their employability.
Solution: Design an event to teach and allow students to practice "networking" in a safe environment where they can feel comfortable if they "mess up." and considers budget constraints
Event Intervention: Have a "Dress for Success" day at the school in which everyone (staff and students) dress professionally. During certain periods of time during the day, hold "mock" networking events in an adequate space in which students interact with Career Services staff and other students, faculty, staff and practice social skills. The career advisors can provide feedback on-the-spot and talk about the types of opening questions one might ask when approaching a stranger, etiquette when greeting someone, etc. Handouts can be provided and perhaps a single prize that is raffled off at the end of the event. The only cost in this scenario might be the printing of handouts and the purchase of a raffle prize. To make it more fun, you might hook up a radio or something to have music and depending on budget, pass out popcorn or something "low-cost."
Really, there are endless ideas and one is limited only by their imagination. But, if you design your events with focused intent to address specific challenges and get others involved, you can still be effective.
Robert Starks Jr.
