Get Your Students Hired
How do you feel about exploring all of the student's options with them, including those that don't include attending your school?
Hello, Chad! You're right...discussing all of the student's options is typically unexpected and it IS all about guiding them to their own best decision!
Elizabeth Wheeler
I feel like being up front about other options gives you more credibility. They will not be expecting this and are usually pretty impressed with this method.
I agree with exploring the student's options. The goal is really to help the student make the best decision for him/her so if attending another school is best, that's still a win for the student.
Exploring all of the students options is a must. If the student is not a fit for my school I am doing my school and the student a favor by exploring other options. My school wants students to succeed and if a student completes the program and fails to gain employment within his/her field of study, than ultimately I would feel like I failed and/or my school failed.
Students who have little field experience working may benefit from exploring new job openings in their market to learn more about market expectations of applicants, pay scales, job descriptions, and position requirements. Some students think they really know what they want to do until they realize their career path may not have a high need in their area, or may mean working years of night shifts and/or weekends before they can be in the role they desire most.
It really hurts me to see students get a degree and later realize it is not for them. I would encourage students to research schools and the market to learn more about what the area has to offer.
We go through a thorough career assessment process with prospective students and share that information with them before deciding on enrollment. We have found that if students and their families feel we are not only providing a post-secondary education, but the ability to help them with resources, they will share this experience and provide referrals.
I find that if you are simply a resourceful Rep and give them the information they need so they feel comfortable about making the final decision where to train, even if our school does not match their needs, they will keep us in mind for the future or referrals for other prospective students. They mostly just appreciate full disclosure and honesty. I also find that some prospects return after attempting another school and realizing that perhaps they want to take a second look and follow through with our school after all. As long as the trust was built in the initial interview and they walk away feeling satisfied with the information you presented, then prospects appreciate continued follow up on their progress so that if they decide to pursue something later on, you can continue simply pick up where you left off.
I believe that our biggest role is to guide the student in the best path. Not every school might be best for that specific student.
I believe that exploring the student's options with them it's an imperative part of the enrollment process since it allows the Admissions Rep to know the student's priorities and goals. Even if the students goals includes not attending my school, I believe that it is the ethical path to follow since the main goal of any Admissions Rep is to ensure that prospective students are given the best options and routes that meet their plans.
Thatks for sharing, Iza! It sounds like you help prospective students find their own best course of action, even if it's not your school. Congratulations!
Dr. Jean Norris
I believe that being transparent and truthful with exploring all of the student's options even if it's not our school establishes our great reputation and the industry we represent. I feel great when they are very thankful for making time with them, and I have received referrals because of my servci
Its a great feeling once you help a student qualify for school but some will not for a number of reasons.
I prefer and feel great about exploring all of the student's options with them, including those that don't include attending my school. I feel that if it is the right "fit" for the student they will chose our organization. Additionally, a student comfortable in their enrollment decision will complete our program at a higher ratio and become a graduate, which will help not only the institutions retention rates and graduation rates but also placement rates since they will have experienced the benefit of the education.
I believe it is mutually beneficial. For the student, it guides them to where they really want and need to go and for the admissions rep, it frees them up to work with students who are a better fit. There's no point wasting time trying to fit a square peg into a round hole.
DAHLIA, Excellent! Great perspective! Thank you for all your posts in the forum!
Dr. Jean Norris
I am comfortable with exploring all of the student's option with them as it helps to facilitate education and empowering the minds of individuals to gain knowledge in various aspects of education. It is sometimes relevant to direct prospective students in different directions to facilitate learning as they may assume that all programs tend to provide them with the same result and meet their goals. It takes a good admission staff to determine whether the programs that they provide meet the needs and goals of the various prospective student going through the enrollment process at the institution and guide to the ideal program whether it is at their facility or elsewhere as the goal should be all about enhancing education, being ethical and gaining trust and respect of all students who walk through the doors in search of an education.
Theodore, Great approach to offering information on the programs you do not offer. What has been the benefit of this practice for you?
Dr. Jean Norris