Hi Mitchell,
Guest speakers really put things in perspective for students. Students are inspired by guest speakers, and they truly begin to believe it is a light at the end of the tunnel.
Patricia
The very special thing is that the student can see beyond the struggle of school (and juggling school with personal life) to actually envision themselves in the role to which they originally aspired, whether it is an accountant, or med-tech, or massage therapist.
Hi Jon,
Great idea and very motivating. Graduate guest speakers are the ABSOLUTE best.
Patricia
With each new class start,we have a former graduate as a guest speaker. He had some difficult times in our program,but went on to become very successful in his careeer field.
The students can relate to his experiences because many are going through the same situation now. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and realize they're not alone.
Guest speakers can show students how rewarding hardwork can be. It may encourage them to continue.
Hi Channie,
It is a great and positive connection between guest speaker and students. Super way to ensure that there is a light at the end of the tunnel to students.
Patricia
Hi Victor,
Guest speakers are priceless and very valuable. Guest speakers can speak from a very real and practical perspective.
Patricia
I think that guest speakers are of great value , because they allow the students to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They gave students hope that the journey is worth the lack of sleep, longs days , and sometimes overwhelming class work. They show them the end result and satisfaction of hard work.Guest speaker are a great asset
A guest speaker can be a great motivator in that they are people from the field who are considered to be experts in their particular area. If students get to communicate with these people, they will then feel more confidant about the career they have chosen. Also, it can relieve some stress to know that what they are studying will lead them to the workplace.
The importance to having someone relate to your situation it becomes very personal to the student.
My students usually connect with the guest speaker because they can see themselves at that level soon. It is a great motivating tool for students that are not real sure if they can perform the task ahead of them.
Hi David,
Guest speakers are really fabulous. They can add a lot of excitement and motivation to the students.
Patricia
Hi Thomas,
Guest speakers really do serve as great reinforcers. Students love listening to what they have to say.
Patricia
A guest speaker can provide the motivation the students need to see how they too can be successful if their field by listening to success stories by an outside party.
I agree as guest speakers often reinforce what I have covered in class and makes that subject matter very relevant. Students so enjoy other opinions or viewpoints of others to help reinforce their learning experiance.
Hi Kellie,
Nicely said! Your response is very inspiring, and inspiration is exactly what guest speakers can give to students. Students enjoy having guest speakers.
Patricia
Guest speakers can encourage students with their own stories of courage, strength, and perseverance. The can speak of overcoming challenges when the odds were against them. Students can relate this to their own lives and think if this person did it, so can I!
Guest speakers are great motivators. Often, students bore of hearing the same 5-10 instructors talk about "the real world" and their "future careers." A guest speaker who is out there doing what the students are in school to do serves as motivator and role model and also gives students the opportunity to picture themselves in that position. We all need a reminder about why we're doing what we're doing, and a guest speaker can offer that to students who are ready to quit.
A good guest speaker can validate the instructor's encouragement to at-risk students. They share a perspective that the student hasn't experienced yet.
Hi Crystal,
I have been teaching for over 22 years, and I have not known of a guest speaker to ever ask for compensation at my institution. There are too many out there that will do it for free, keep searching.
Patricia
