Using guest speakers as resources
What value is a guest speaker in talking with students who are discouraged or about to quit your course?
I have often had past students come in and lecture on two things, ( current job and current subject matter.) One student actually came in and taught motor controls to students who were struggling in motor controls. Another student came in and talked about how serious they need to take their education because they apply everything they learn in the classroom to the real life in the field.
We not only use guest speakers, but have Guest Trainers who can qualify our students in a particular subject such as indoor air quality, or flexible gas piping certification. This is great for their resume as well as their own knowledge.
Guest speakers give all students an opportunity to hear someone else and their real-life experiences using the education (course content) currently being provided. It will help students to see the relevance in the course work.
Over the course of our 2 year program it is common for students to become discouraged. I have found that guest speakers if nothing else provide a change of pace and an additional (SME) brings students focus back to completing their education and obtaining gainful employment.
A guest speaker is a valuable resource for many reasons. First, it gives them another voice besides myself and it also allows them to speak to an outside subject matter expert that may give them the key to success in their respective career field or perhaps provide a point of contact for later use.
We have found guest speakers to be incredibly helpful to encourage students during our program, and we use them at various periods throughout the course. These guest speakers have graduated from a program at our school and have successful careers (many own their own businesses). Their success helps our discouraged students believe that they can achieve the same kind of success, and they are more likely to complete our programs.
I found using a guest speaker as encouragement to our students (especially those who are discouraged) has truly helped motivate and encourage. We have had many specific examples of students who were close to quitting staying & completing the program largely due to the guest speaker's testimony. The students feel like this speaker has been where they are, facing life struggles and distractions while trying to complete the program. The speaker's success makes the students feel as if they too can be successful.
Guest speakers are a great resource, they connect the work that the students are doing in class to real life job or experience. It's the "light at the end of the tunnel". We also us graduates or students that are on externships to come and speak to the students. They answer a lot of questions that the students may have about extern. The students seam to relate to them better, maybe because they were in the same seats as them 4 or 5 weeks ago.
I love the idea of having graduates come back and speak with students. We just had our first graduating class this year, so I will definitely be contacting them in the future!
I often have guest speakers come in to do an hour seminar for the class. The subject of the lecture always coordinates with the classes we are teaching that particular semester. Speakers are often office managers in the region that offer Extern opportunities to our students. This really gets the class excited to complete the course so they may start their extern.
I noticed that when a guest speaker come in to the class (I ask a graduate from my program to come in and speak)and tells their story, that gets the current students pumped up. They come to realize that this successful person once sat in my seat! If they can do it so can I! The guest speaker can also share new and exciting things that are out their for them. I was once that student... that speaker... That successful individual in the field... now Program Director.
At times, I may bring a guest speaker in to speak with the class. This guest speaker is usually a leader in the field the student is studying for. Often times, this is enough to motivate students to get back on track. If it is a great guest speaker, not only will they “wow†the students with their technical skills and success stories, they will also stress the importance of learning the foundation that is being taught in class at that time.
Hi Bruce,
Nicely stated! Sometimes it just means more to some students coming from someone else other than the instructor.
Patricia Scales
I e used both people who are in the field as well as graduates from the same program that I am teaching. I have found it very helpful for the students to hear first hand what employers are looking for in a future employee as well as what is the latest in the field. I have also found that students will listen to former graduates who have just completed an internship along, been hired at their site. It seems that the students will listen to their peers rather than to me as the instructor. I think a lot of it has to do with the students can relate better. It goes back to the concept that I am their parent and I do not know what I am talking about because I am not young like them.
By having a student who has completed the course; allow the discouraged student he /she can make.
I find that guest speakers offer solidification to the relevancy of the course and material to student's professional endeavors. The instructor can point out relevancy at each class time, but no matter how compelling or true this is, some students need to see actual real-world people that are not employed by the school put this in a proper perspective and therefore makes the relevancy or 'connection' of the course applicable to the students.
Hi Colleen,
A graduate guest speaker in general is always a great choice as a guest speaker. Students love hearing the experiences of someone who sat where they are sitting.
Patricia Scales
In my experience as an instructor, I have not used a guest speaker. However, upon reading this section of the course, the idea of bringing in a former student who has also doubted themself and succeeded in the end, seems like a win win situation. Encouragement and inspiration to the current student struggling with doubts.
A guest speaker has quite a bit of value for a student. Not only for helping the student succeed, but to help the students understand what is expected of them when they get a job in their field of study. I try to get as many guest speakers as I can to help with student professionalism.
