Get Your Students Hired
Our school has a career success class and also offers periodic seminars to the students regarding such topics as resume writing, interviewing skills, professionalism, etc. There is also a research paper or presentation assigned in every course. These usually start off quite shaky but by the time the students have gone through all their didactic courses, their research, writing, and presentation skills are very strong.
Karis,
I like the fact that you have a topic that you follow throughout the student's school life. Good job!
Shelly Crider
Our school programs all begin with a course called Student Success which outlines professionalism for the student. In addition, there are posters hanging in every hallway and classroom with the same outline. We have a business class toward the end of the program that brings in actual employers to perform mock interviews with the students in order to give them feedback about how their professional skills are coming along. The students are also required to do service learning and student clinic rotations with the public to fine tune their professional skills. Finally, we have a strong career services department which guides and assists students with final the final polish as they go out to actual interviews.
Jessica,
There are ways to get a feel of face to face. Have you used YouTube or WebEx?
Shelly Crider
Meridy,
We like our medical stall to have it all!! Clinical skills and the ability to communicate with patients.
Shelly Crider
We use to have a great course that students took prior to starting their specific programs. Unfortunately the powers that be thought the students would do fine from online professional develop. Some classes need human interaction, especially when teaching young adults how to interact with people face to face.
Yes, I agree. A student can have superior clinical skills, but without the ability to communicate clearly, present themselves professionally, and create that positive first impression with an employer, they will miss out on many opportunities. We strive to begin in the first quarter with Career Development, continue with Career Management, which includes mock interviews, then conclude with an externship where students are putting all of the pieces together to present themselves as a well-trained professional.
Alexander,
This is excellent as I would bet that many do not even know whay a synopsis is so to teach them and have them do one is excellent!
Shelly Crider
Richard,
I love the fact that introduce a variety of skills. This is so needed!
Shelly Crider
In a professional learning environment it is important to identify the students learning skills. I like to have each student write a synopsis about the professional goals. This lets me access there writing and there learning. It is also a good idea to gauge ones knowledge in our field with a specific class project that tests them on what they should know in there degree at this point.
In my writing classes I make sure the students are not only introduced to writing basics and skills but also to technology. Internet research, word processing, and Powerpoint presentations are integral to assignments Along with writing and computer skills we also work on presentations, group assignments, and soft skills - handing in assignments on time, attendance, quality work, etc. Many adult learners are lacking in one or more of these areas so it can't be assumed, because they are adults, that they are proficient in them.
Aprilyn,
I am glad you are strick as rules are rules. We have them everywhere.
Shelly Crider
Becky,
Communication is a skill that needs to be worked on over and over.
Shelly Crider
The campus I work in has a student dresscode that student have to follow. I am a very strict about the dresscode and their behavior in class. Most of my students have not been in a professional healthcare setting and it is my responsibility to "groom" in their professional behavior before they go into their clinical sites. I also have them work in group projects so they will learn how to work with other students and work as a team.
Throughout my courses, I use a lot of group projects. I feel that this helps the students develop soft skills such as teamwork and effective communication. It also helps them recognize their strengths. For example, the one who is the better presenter will take that portion of the assignment while a cohort might choose to cover the visual aspect of their presentation.
We have a job development program where I work, so I have been trying to incoperate soft skills into my classes as well. For homework I have them do a good deed for someone and have them tell me 3 things that made them smile or feel good each day for a week. I make them present them in front of their class. We also talk about how they should talk to people in their offices/workplace as opposed to their friends or family. I do this so hopefully they will keep these things in mind when they are out in the working field.
Lou,
I love this! As expectations are everything! Knowing what is expected of us makes learning that much better!
Shelly Crider
On the first day of class (culinary), I discuss expectations for the term in a powerpoint. The expectations discussion covers behavior, punctuality, communication, preparedness, organization, and other matters that relate specifically to being a professional in our industry.
It is also explained that part of my job will be to reinforce those expectations throughout the term as a very actual part of the class. I observe and coach as I can to ensure that my students know what will likely be expected of them immediately as they enter our industry at a professional level.
Gordon,
I like the fact that all the faculty (or school) buys into the task of asking students their goals!
Shelly Crider
We ask the student to put on paper what their goals are after completing the training we teach them, and then as they move through the schools different classes they are asked to recheck their goals and see if they are on schedule to complete them or should they be changing them to adapt to the training they are receiving. Some students sign up for classes that sound interesting, but find that they really have no interest in it.