Hi Walter,
Guest speakers can certainly make a great impact on certain students. I've seen it happened when the timing was just right.
Patricia
A well timed, well placed guest speaker can completely remotivate a discouraged student. I can remember guest speakers during college, when I was much younger having that exact impact on me.
The speaker can help link the real world with the content being learned in class.
Hi Sandy,
Graduate speakers are proof that it can be done! Very inspiring!
Patricia
I have students that come by in class,that already graduated, and gotten a good job in the Medical field. I notice student gets really excited and cannot wait to graduate and also gets a job. I told my students with hard work, dedication and positive attitude you could do it!
I use a lot of guest speakers, and my students seem to really enjoy this. One thing I do is encourage my guest speakers to bring business cards. So, in addtion to motivating the students and helping them see what they'll be able to do with their degrees, the students learn about networking and begin building up a list of people they can contact for help and support in the future. It does seem like somehow if a guest speaker says the same thing I've been saying all quarter, it carries more weight because it comes from a professional working in the field, rather than from me. It also seems to give more credibility to waht I say from then on.
Your graduate coming to class was such a good idea. I also do this. It shows the student that if you really want it, there are solutions to the things that try hard to stop you from proceeding. It's like the devil is working and trying to succeed for this own needs
I agree. So many times a guest speaker can say one or two things that stick with a student. I hear people talk about having "ah-ha" moments in life. Well, I think those types of moments can happen when you are listening to someone who once walked in your shoes and is now doing what you hope to achieve. It can be very powerful for some people, especially those that are having doubts as they said in the course study.
I guess it depends on why the student is discouraged. If the student is discouraged because the course really is not for them, then a guest speaker may well be the final nail in the coffin, which has value in an affirmatory way.
If the student is overwhelmed by the course work and cannot see a way ahead, then an alumnus guest speaker who has had some success in the field can provide reassurance to the student and allow them to take a couple steps back from the abyss.
I am a Clinical Instructor at present, and I see many students specially younger ones in situations which are caused by External Pressures. Examples of External pressures for these students are: Marital difficulties/Divorce situation, Financial difficulties, and having a reliable transportation to the clinical site 5 days per week. I once asked a Graduate to come and speak with the students regarding her success in the PCT program despite all the negative situations which she was facing. This guest speaker had graduated from the PCT program despite her difficulty dealing with her Divorce situation at the time when she was completing her clinical rotation in the hospital.
Hi Paula,
Guest speakers bring to a current student's mind, "when I grow up I want to be just like you."
Patricia
Hi Donna,
Wow!! What a great success story to share with others. She certainly has been where a lot of these students are, and look at her now. I am excited for her, and I don't even know her, but I know her story can really expire the type of students we deal with.
Patricia
Guest speakers can really hit close to home for those students that are struggling and are on the fence about even quitting. I was talking to a program graduate one time and discovered something about her that I did not know when she was in my program and in my classes. She was a high school dropout and had received her GED diploma. She was an excellent student and is even a part time faculty member now.
She had struggled in high school with the loss of her father, pregnancy and a marriage for the sake of the pregancy and then a miscarriage. Despite all this she had the desire and determination to succeed.
She now will come and speak to classes and even to high school students also. She is a great inspiration and example!!!
Good point! If the speaker is not energetic and holds the students' interest about said career it could cause the students to rethink their careeer choice.
I also have had students on externship come into class and speak to the next group going out. This has turned out two ways. 1.) The externs give their fellow students alot of good advice and tips for survival as well as how exciting and awesome it is. This gets the upcoming externs very eager to get out there and make their mark on the world. 2.) The externs have scared the bejesus out of the other students causing them to be apprehensive, nervous and doubting themselves. I have actually had two students drop (at different times) right before externship because they didn't feel they could handle it. No words of support or encouragement from myself or others were able to help them change their minds. If not careful, this can be a double edged sword.
Just by having a guest to the class especiall an past graduate will give students a better sence and proper core meaning on what is being involved in the coruse.
A guest speaker can inspire the students they are addressing by being a concrete, tangible example the working professional the students aspire to be one day. If the speaker is a graduate of the same school as the students being addressed, this is even more reinforcement that the students' current education will pay off with a career. Guest speakers can answer questions about their profession in a relevant, convincing way, because they are walking their talk. :>)
Hi Patricia,
Yes, they are proof that it can be done.
Patricia
Hi Sandy,
This is definitely a million dollar question. I wish I had the answer. I think they should have positive thoughts as they did coming in and surround themselves with positive people. The whole idea is to keep their eyes on the prize...do not lose focus.
Patricia
I have had a guest speaker, several in fact. The manager from one of the hospitals who works in Sterile supply. Not only did he speak of that department, he decided, on his own, to talk about what he looks for in a prospective employee in his department. It was great. There were so many questions from the students.
I also utilize the graduates. Every quarter I have one come in at the beginning of the quarter and talk with the seniors. That will be going to externship next quarter. This way they will understand, hopefully, that what I tell them is how it is and how it's going to be out there.
It works for some!
