Confidence and Culpability
As difficult as it may be to measure confidence, the majority of veterans do not feel confident in finding a job. Is it the academic institution’s role to develop veteran confidence levels and, if so, what methods do you suggest?
Sandra,
Great point. As veterans, we sometimes have a difficult time translating our military resume in a way that civilian hiring managers can understand. That gap can erode veteran confidence in believing that viable employment is on the close horizon. But the veterans has learned how to lead, how to manage a budget, and how to take care of things - Manpower, Money, and Material - and these skills DO translate well. This simple translation should help a veteran increase their confidence in their ability to compete in the current job market.
We could help to reinforce their confidence by emphasizing how their talents are essential to today's job market, because these veterans return home so knowledgeable, well-trained and respectful that they can be used as leaders, mentors, as well as role models. Therefore; when we communicate with them, if we reinforce these facts to them, they will certainly be enthused and want to become members of today's workforce.
Stephanie, great post. Are your veteran students intermixed with your civilian students? If so, do you notice that your veterans are reluctant at first to lead a conversation or stand out, but gain confidence as the course progresses? Or do you see your veterans taking a lead in the class due to the leadership they demonstrated during active duty? Your success board is a great idea. How could you do that on a larger scale or is it something that can only be done in small, intimate classroom settings?
I believe that it is definately part of the role/responsibility of the academic institution to help all students develop a variety of skills, confidence being one. We use a variety of methods as well as a team approach to achieve this:
1. All members of the team that interacts with a student, from support personnel to teachers all encourage the student at every opporunity to share successes and celebrate them, no matter what they are about, in order to build confidence across the board.
2. We use a " success board " on each of our campuses to post pictures of students that have passed an exam, or achieved a milestone in their program, to loudly and proudly announce to all members of the community that someone has done something worthy of note and praise.
3. We select a " student of the month " every month, per campus, and then we interview that student and place the interview into our newsletter that goes out to all of our students, faculty, alumni, and local businesses.
4. We also take the write up mentioned above and create a powerpoint slide, along with the student's picture, that is then placed into the loop that plays on the large screen television. in the lobby of each of our campus admission offices for the entire month.
Well, I can see how "kudos" can be used too much - damaging their intention. But, we have found that this virtual strategy affects students in a very positive matter - shows them that we all care about there success. A "kudos" isn't a simple "that a boy," rather, our faculty and staff have been trained to comment strategically that elicits motivation and confidence. I eluded to the fact in another post that we work closely with faculty - as a team. Together, we assist the veteran students (or any for that matter) and come up with a game plan - collaboratively. This is certainly a big change for veterans. Working with them in a collaborative approach gives them the opportunity to discover things, connect "the dots", and become more confident. They learn how to make decisions on their own, sometimes not even realizing it.
When talking with your students have they commented on the impact "kudos" have on their performance? Everybody wants recognition when they do well, but do you think it is enough to encourage them to overcome their academic obstacles and reach graduation? Finally, do you think "kudos" can be overused? Is there a point where kudos start to sound repetitious and possibly trite? In the military we are taught to praise in public and counsel in private. In this scenario, you indicate that you are able to do this in a like manner, but virtually. Are there other things that you could do through virtual means or through voice?
We actually just rolled out "Starfish Retention Solutions" at our campuses. One attribute to this system is the ability to raise a "kudos" when students do positive things: good grades, attendance, etc. Faculty and staff are notified and can comment on the kudos as well. The student receives the positive comments - increasing their confidence level. This is proved to be very helpful.
