Hi, Shelly
I am a technology teacher at a career college and in my field of study we have to be certified by a testing agency like CISCO, and CompTIA. All of my students know of this when they start school with us. I have been teaching now for over 20 years now. During the introduction to my classes I include a discussion about their certification requirements. One of the big question that I ask them is what are they going to do when they complete school and are out in the work force and they need to have a certain certification to be qualified for or to just get the job. They all look at me and say that’s what I am for. I then say yes but only while you are here at the school. I again ask, so what are you going to do? More strange looks. At this point I explain to them that they need to start exercising their self-study skills. I discuss with them what has worked for me and others. I find that one of the biggest problems for them is how to deal with distractions. For this I explain that this come down to removing them, when asked how, I explain how set routines help for me, (i.e. study time every Sunday morning) and practicing what they have studied.
Russell,
I love this as current events lead to discussion!
Shelly Crider
I integrate current events that relate to the student's studies. I'll share a news item and then ask the students to discuss. For example, in a recent marketing class, I asked the students if they had read a recent news article that appeared on the internet and on some broadcast news shows about McDonald's no longer being the number one fast food choice among children and adolescents. Chipotle Grill has recently surpassed McDonald's. This led us into a discussion of what the students would do if they were in the marketing department of McDonald's. We discussed what changes they might make in McDonald's menus, particularly kids' meals, and what changes they would make in the advertising. Then conversely, what would they do if they were in the marketing department at Chipotle. Then we discussed the changes for McDonald's over the past decade and how knowledge they would need, again as marketing managers, in the coming decade to manage these companies? The students seem to love these discussions and it makes the material they're learning come alive for them, as well as show how even when they graduate, they will need to continue to learn.
Dr. Faulk
Terence,
Love this project!!! I would have to believe that is good for instructors to at times as well!!
Shelly Crider
Hong,
New technology tends to hurt writing skills! (lol for example!!)
Shelly Crider
I give an overview of professional development resources that students can draw on, based on the career goals of the class. The next step is for them to research and identify three opportunities that they are interested in and to write about how it would benefit their career.
Definitely students need to improve their writing and computer literacy across the curriculum to become longlife learners because I'd been through all that before.
Thao,
It is amazing how many organizations are out there in every career!
Shelly Crider
Dan,
I like that you help with giving extra resources. We all love resources!!
Shelly Crider
This is a great point. It can be so difficult to get your foot in the door in some industries, but by joining professional organizations there are so many built-in networks. I will vertainly urge my students to seek out and join more foodservice related organizations.
I encourage students to develop a real interest, or even a "love" for the subjects they study. I provide them topics to explore that are on the cutting edge of the subjects they are studying, and show them that there is a lot more information and research out there on the subject, rather than just being focused on the texts they are required to read.
James,
It does look good on a resume as many employers like to see that a prospective employee goes the extra mile to stay up to date.
Shelly Crider
I STRONGLY URGE STUDENTS TO SEEK OUT PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR NETWORKING PURPOSES. THESE MEETINGS ARE VALUABLE BECAUSE STUDENTS ARE INTRODUCED TO THE REAL WORLD AND NOT LIMITED TO THE BUBBLE OF ACADEMIA. MEMBERSHIP COMES AT A REDUCED RATE AND SOMETIMES FREE. THIS LOOKS GREAT ON A RESUME AS WELL!
Jill,
Thank you for mentioning credentialing withing their specialities....this is an excellent idea which students seem to forget about once school is over!
Shelly Crider
I strongly encourage my students to explore and seek out credentialing within their specialties in addition to joining related professional organizations.
Membership in professional organizations provide connection with other in the field. They advise on changes and developments with the field. Publications and continuing education are often provided.
Taking the extra step to become credentialed shows a prospective employer that the student takes their chosen profession seriously and they are willing to take extra measures to ensure they are the best they can be.
Glenn,
It keeps the class fresh and interesting for the instructor as well!!
Shelly Crider
I agree, what better way to teach someone about being as diverse as possible than to be able to bring some information to the table that they know something about. It's all about seeking out new information and taking advantage of different situations.
Lisa,
We all need goals to strive for!
Shelly Crider
I use this strategy too! One the first day of class we discuss the importance of setting goals and what steps you need to take to achieve your goal. Lisa
Victor,
I like what you tell your students! The journey has just begun!!
Shelly Crider
