Former Students
Former students are a great value. telling them from the instructors point is one thing, There are times i will have graduates talk with my students. A much better precieved value
I couldn't agree more with Mr. Beach!! I think having past grad's with a positive school/employment experience talk with current students reinforces the message that we as instructors give to our current students.
I agree and I think this is one of the most beneficial things you can do during a tour or orientation. Keep in touch with students you enroll to see how they are enjoying their experience, which will show them you care and they won't think twice to help you with a potential student.
Former students can be a powerful aid in retention and getting the point across that the class you are teaching is worth all the pain and headaches. If they can relate to the new student why it is so important and that it really does relate to the job then it can be extremely valuable. If you can get a former student who is successful and who struggled with the particular course to come in and tell it honestly and completely then you will gain much for the new student. They can see that hard work pays off and what you are asking of them is important.
Clive--
It is wonderful that you have your former students come back and share their experiences. I have also found that this helps faculty to enhance what is covered in the classroom as well.
Susan
it can certainly drive home what is required by the "industry" as far as future employees I always try to get them to come to class and share what their expierences where both positive and negative
One way we highlight successful graduates is to submit "grad jobs" articles and pictures to the local newspaper. Then,when they are published, they are placed on a success board for display in the hallway. Prospective students can see that others have succeeded from our program.
Dustin--
It is always a wonderful thing when some of the instructors are also alumni...you are 'living proof' that they can make it through!
Susan
Being a graduate of the organization I now teach at shows the students that our school can get them started on their professional career.
Yeah, as instructor who has been out in the field for x amount of years, what do I know about Here and Now?
when I have former students just passing by and stop in to say hello, I always try to get them to come to class and share what their expierences where both positive and negative,
hearing from a relatively "recent graduate" and now an industry employee, it can certainly drive home what is required by the "industry" as far as future employees.
So many students all of a sudden seem shocked that what the "industry standards" are, such as must have a valid drivers licence, no DUI's or reckless on their driving record, excellent attendance and a 3.75GPA minium, no visable tatoo's or peircings, well the shock all comes true when they go to apply for a job and find out that they will not be hired because of some infraction or lack of or some other event that the student has chosen to do without realizing the future consiquenses of their actions.
Again, they don't listen to me, but it seems they listen when a former student now graduate tells them what it is really like on the "outside" after graduation when looking for a job or being employed in the industry.
I have had former student return to tell others how they have benefited from there education.It is good for motivation.
Mike--
Agreed. Experience is a fantastic thing and makes the classroom much more engaging.
Susan
I work with someone who came back as an Instructor, a very valuable asset, although he still had to meet the requirement of five years field experience. Nothing can replace experience. He works very well with the students and we have had him work with the incoming students as well. This can give the new students a nice comfort level being able to talk to a person just like themselves who has been successful.
Former students are great . There are however certain grads that are better than others. The ones i like to speak are the ones who had a hard time ,had trials and tribulations and at one time or another just wanted to chuck it all away. They are cut from a greater fabric those folks. Overcoming and succeeding and sharing these stories have a powerful effect on students.Sometimes i have students who come into my class with bad attitudes complaining about this and that and i will talk to them .Whether or not they see thing differently at that point , who knows. Some of those folks however will show up years later and come to the school , shake my hand and thank me for being patient with them . They tell students that not all aspects of this school will be realized fully til after they graduate and are out in the field.....
Patrisia--
...and that there is light at the end of the tunnel. It is important to have 'hope'!
Susan
I completely agree. When you have a graduate that has successfully completed the program share their experience and accomplishments with future students it shows them that some one else was in their situation.
This raises a good question... How soon is too soon? Does industry experience prior to going to school offer any amount of credibility?
I have witnessed alumni being hired as instructors too soon after graduation. In some cases, that can decrease credibility because they don't have enough industry experience.
I like to keep in touch my my students that have graduated by email because they come from all over. the benifit is i can talk to the student that are still here about sucsses stories of graduates. it shows them that there goals can be acheived.
An alumni that now instructs may carry some weight too.
