The PS-072a form should be completed for each completer in order to classify students. It is best to meet with the student in person and explain that this information is needed for reporting purposes.
I agree with Frank, we discuss the reporting of employment verification early on so that our students wont be surprised when asked. I had a student tell me that it was none of our business about her wages, and I explained to her that it is vital to the schools ability to remain a school that we get this information. My school does not charge a graduate to refresh the classes they paid for previously and I do not hesitate to tell students that if they would like for their investment to be ongoing after graduation that they should comply with the state requirement to allow us to be around to help them in the future. This is mostly because of the tough economy and the lack of our economic leaders not creating any new jobs in our area that actually require any post-secondary education!
Be careful with this thought. It is required of the school to provide information on the completion, employment and placement rates but their is no requirement for the student to cooperate.
Frank Hammack
Keep ongoing documentation of the students status, if the student wishes not to disclose their job status, remind them that this is require by law from the school.
The key point is that the student is employed in the field.How they got the job, on their own or with the schools help, is secondary. I would encourage students to work on their own.
Working with the student from the beginning of their training to explain what is going on and the requirements of the State always helps students to understand why you are asking for the information.
Frank Hammack
I have a question regarding the P vs the NP...Does it reflect negatively against the school if the student finds the job(s) on his/her own? I have several students who are completely self-motivated and can/do seek, apply and get hired on their own merit and determination?
I have definitely found this to be the best scenario. The rapport from the beginning can make a big difference.
I often have to explain to students/graduates that this is a requirement not of the school, but of TWC. The majority have not had any issue with completing the form after I tell them this.
Document interviews that have been set up for graduates, document if the student did indeed go to the inteview and doucument the interview outcomes.
I work in Admission so I don't encounter students that aren't willing to disclose their employment. I have been in my position for 4 years and haven't been made aware of any students not wanting disclose teir employment.
You will find that as you grow it is harder to keep up with students. The more you can start a relation with the student from the beginning of their journey the better.
Frank H.
We have not dealt with anyone who did not want to report their enrollment status thus far. I am sure one will be in the future. We try to be sure a student is placed before they leave the school as it is difficult to keep in touch once they have left. As we grow this may be more challenging to do.
We require our Career Services personnel to attend trainings throughout the year regarding the different categories of employment. One effective means of influence for the students who do not want to disclose is to ustilize the student's former instructors who had positive relationship the student. Often that is effective. Another reason for providing excellent customer service THROUGHOUT the student's academic experience in the college is for the students to respond later when needed.
The PS-072A is the survey form and must be keep on every graduate and available for review at TWC viists.
Frank H.
Job Placement Coordinators should maintain an on-going log of all employment offers and jobs that our students are accepting so that we are always prepared in cases for CSC audits.
A good way to determine if they are considered employed in the field is to look at the course description found in the catalog to see what potential jobs are listed.
Frank Hammack
Using the detailed job description is the best way to determine what field the employment falls into.
These are all great points. I also encourage Career Services staff to document details of employment assistance activity provided by recording information in our database, for example: Date + arranged interview with Employer X. It helps keep records of assistance provided especially if employment is secured before graduation.
You would need to claify this information by speaking with the student. Be sure to convey the importance of obtaining this information fromt he student. The school does need to us the PS-072A -- the form can also be completed by staff while on the phone with the student or during a face to face meeting with them as well.
Letting the student know that it is a requirement of the state to report this information might help.
Frank
