Students really benefit from guest speakers. As instructors, we can discuss how things are in the working world but when a guest speaker comes in, the student is getting that information from the employer perspective which is a great balance. I've seen guest speakers talk about professional attire, grooming, a lot of the soft skills that students are sometimes lacking. It really impacts them to hear it from various sources.
Guest speakers usually entrance students. The students can feel the goal of graduation when hearing from a speaker in the field. It makes achieving the goals more realistic and hands-on.
Using guest speakers and taking students on field trips to job sites where the knowledge and skills they are acquiring are used are both powerful retention tools.
Guest speakers help students and employers to see possiblities. Use them as much as you can.
Dr. Banks
I like the idea of guest speakers. My program is a graduate program for working K12 teachers who want further degrees and certifications/endorsements. The idea of having area superintendents appear as quest speakers accomplishes tow things. (1) students get to know the needs of sch districts. (2) Superintendents get to meet prospective candidates for future positions.
