Career Services
Career services is a great resource even for students who are new students, they can get help with putting together a resume, advise on professional dress codes, and what to expect in the work place. If a school does not have a career service, do they have a required precentage of thier schools graduates that must be placed?
I agree with you, Jessica. When I started working for my school I thought that all the smaller schools like the one I work for offer some sort of career service. I have found over time that there are some institutions in my area that do not offer it and it really is something that potential students look at, and sometimes, are huge deciding factors. These students want to know that after they leave the school they aren't going to be thrown to the wolves and say, "good luck!" They want to know that there is help after school is over.
Michael,
Sounds exciting! The network they build while in school will carry throughout their lifetime. Such an important part of going to school.
Patty Aronoff
Hi Patty and Doreen:
The university I work at has a wonderful network set in place for current students to connect with other students and faculty while they are in school as well as after graduation through an alumni association. I think this provides students ample opportunity to network, learn about industry trends and also find out about possible career opportunities.
Carolina,
The figure is determined by Rule and is a benchmark of the performance of the school. Most accrediting agencies mirror the same percentage. Would you want to go yo a school where a relatively low percentage of students actually got jobs after graduation?
Patty Aronoff
Jessica,
Rule does not require the institution to have a career services department. CIE does require all schools to provide placement assistance. This service is advantageous to both the student and the school.
Patty Aronoff
Placement services are required, that's true, what it's unrealistic is the demand that schools achieve a certain percentage of graduate/placement ratio. It is also unrealistic to expect schools in different demographic regions to have the same percentage as other school in other demographic areas. One size fits all does not work.
I was somewhat surprised to learn that a career services department is not required for institutions and is considered more of a bonus. I do agree that it is important to have job placement requirements which are monitored by the CIE because this provides a form of accountability for institutions.
Jonathan,
Since placements are so important to the school and students, I would recommend to go beyond the minimum such as resume writing, mock interviews, real interviews, etc.
Patty Aronoff
Chris,
Students have life challenges that may make them want to give up. The services and staff of the school can make the difference.
Patty Aronoff
Is posting job openings on the school bulletin boards sufficient?
I would have to agree, having worked in Career Services, it is certainly helpful to all parties involved to have a clear understanding of what is out there and available to your student.
David,
We are both working on the same outcome...employment of our graduates. This spells SUCCESS.
Patty Aronoff
doreen,
Try having an alumni association or events at your school which has previous students return to campus. Mixers or holiday events are some examples.
Patty Aronoff
I would agree that any admissions person work closely with their Career Services department. There knowledge and skills are an invaluable part of the admissions process.
We as a school are very lucky to have most if not all barbershops in our area coming to us for graduates. So, our challange is not in placement but in having the graduates keeping us informed as to their changes of employment if any.
Ilana,
Each school is required by CIE to provide placement services. Your main campus provides additional services to what you offer at the branch level.
Patty Aronoff
We are a branch campus of a much larger institution. Our main campus has its own career services center but we do not. Can their center 'cover' our branch? We do provide advice and job postings as well as internships whenever possible but if we don't place people and/or they opt to go to our main campus to graduate how does this affect us here in Miami?
Renee,
You have valuable expertise that encompasses the changes in the student's life, before and after education.
I worked in Career Services for 4 years before I joined the field of Admissions 10 years ago. I have found the training in both fields to be invaluable.
