Motivating Students who are uncertain
It's overall easy to motivate students who want to learn and have a passion for the field they have chosen. What tools do you use to motivate those who are uncertain about the career path they've chosen? We have many students who feel culinary is an easy profession and cooking has to be fun so they enroll. Their passion and desire to work hard are not there. The food ntwork portrays cooking as fun, glamorous,easy and you can amke a lot of money. All these are far from the truth for most culinarians. What can we do for these students?
I totally agree. Sometimes I wonder why certain students want to enter the culinary field when they are obviously more interested in video games, music, or art. There are classes for those things as well. The sad part is the money these students are spending for something that they don't have a passion for.
I find the same situation in the Automotive profession. All the TV shows show how "fun" and "exciting" the career is. However like any other career it to can become "ho hum same ol same ol". I often feel that if I over glamourize the career I will be lying, so I dont. My method is to find out what makes this career an exciting choice for them and use that part to explain not only the pros but possible cons. I dont want to set them up for failure but I do want to keep them excited about the field they have chosen. Just remember how you felt when beginning your career. Use that excitement but dont lie about it. No need for the untruth they are young in the field they are excited you can just build on it.
amir,
this is exactly right & can help them be motivated for the future.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
using real life stories and experiences can help students to enlarge thier vision and give them hope for thier career.
Hi Ryan, I, too have the occasional student who seems completely unmotivated and unengaged while going through the program. I think parental influence was why the student enrolled in the first place, possibly. Theses students do not come with intrinsic motivation. Do you have a tip on how I can contribute to their motivation on an extrinsic level? I cannot fathom why someone would chose a career in health care and not "care." I wouldn't want some of these individuals as my health care provider.
LaShonda,
and the more excited the students can become about the work, the greater the chance they will push through the difficulties.
Ryan Meers, Ph.D.
Challenge students to take time and research their career path. Students should be made aware that in order to have a successful career they must be passionate about their choices. A career is not about the money, and fame again it's about the passsion.
Linda,
I agree that the more we show we are interested in the student's whole career/education & not just our course or subject area the more opportunity we have to motivate them & encourage them.
Dr. Ryan Meers
To get students motivated is to give them an opportunity to tell you what they are interested in, good at, and what they want to be. Once we know this, we can find the right program of study that will enhance their knowledge, skills, and abilities in that particular area.
robbin,
yes, this is a great point. Too often students select careers because someone told them to or they are attracted by a "good salary."
Dr. Ryan Meers
Students should feel a motivational drive within themselves first! They should sit back and think about the career path they have chosen. If they have a passion for what they have chosen they shouldn't have uncertainty. If it is something they love, they will spend the rest of their life feeling like they are just getting paid for no reason, because they love it so much.
Todd,
this is definitely a challenge. Unfortunately you cannot motivate them, they must motivate themselves. Having said that, it may be a matter of a conversation of here's reality & here's tv & no matter what career you choose, it is difficult & challenging.
Dr. Ryan Meers
