Tools to Address Challenges
What tools do you currently use to address challenges? How are they working for you?
What a great way to improve your prospective student's resourcefulness, Yvonne! Keep up the good work!
Elizabeth Wheeler
We uses a variety of tools from a website,brochures, campus tour to test scores. Test scores for state exams or licenses are usually our most effective tool. We find that when students invest a lot of time and money into something, they like knowing that the training they are receiving will indeed get them to that next step.
Trial closer questions to help get to the bottom of the challenge or objection.
I use student success stories, our placement rates, our certification pass rates, other resources we offer (transportation assistance, childcare vouchers, etc.). These things work pretty well. I try to listen to the student to see exactly what they would need in order to attend school.
I always allow prospects to start the interview, and for about 10 or 15 minutes I let them talk and I only listen, I analyze every single word that they say and by the time my turn to intervene approaches, I know already what to say, when to say it and how to say it.
Angela,
Excellent! Having the resources handy is important in helping prospective students to address challenges. Thank you for your post!
Dr. Jean Norris
When students have challenges with child care/job I usually refer them to our career services rep. She is extremely helpful & makes sure they are taken care of.
Great, Diana!
Proof and success stories are an excellent way to address challenges!
Dr. Jean Norris
In addressing challenges I use facts (brochures, FA information, scholarship information, fee schedule ,online orientation- visual elements,enrollment checklist( be sure everything from history of our university, accreditation, FA) I do also share link of our alumni with their current job status.
One of the tools we use on our campuses is a local resource guide. This guide is updated periodically and available to all staff and faculty. We fill it with resources on things such as: GED referral services, childcare assistance opportunities and local day cares, housing assistance, area food bank information, local clothes closets, counseling services, domestic violence resources, etc. We have found that we can easily refer students to services they may need, with this guide. However, during the pre-enrollment process, it is very important to learn what your student needs and what goals they wish to achieve. The resource guide is only there to assist in addressing concerns that they share. The more we help a student find solutions on their own, the better equipped and more confident they will be.
I currently use career services department as a tool during my tours. Prospective students come in for a main reason and that's to seek employment after graduation. One of our benefits is to meet the staff in the department so the student can realize they are here to assist them. THe prospective student will sit with a career services advisor and see for themselves recent placements and get to know our services one on one.
Currently I use internal and external tools to address challenges for my prospective students. I use a catalog, handouts, program information, interaction with graduates and current students, speaking with instructors and faculty that also work in the field, information on statistics, pass rates, certification and job placement. They have been working efficiently for me but I realize that there are additional ideas that could boost the school's resourcefulness and though it would take some time to implement within the organization it would be beneficial to the school.
Great idea. Also, the audit concept allows the student to try the class and see if it's a good fit before committing to an enrollment agreement.
In our Admissions Dept, we use the United States Dept. of Education website for validation of our accreditations. Many of our student-prospects never heard of the Middle States Association, so by using this website it puts their mind at ease. Also, the BLS is really big in helping validate a prospect's career path. We use our Student Community website to have prospect's view interactions between students and to share many of the support attributes we have built in to our programs. We are online and do not have a campus, so these tools help us overcome significant challenges.
I like to give all my students BLS information. It helps the student feel more comfortable with my answers once they see it written in black and white from a third party.
Monique, Very well said! The questions you posted in the forum about exploring the environment are excellent as well. What is the reason it's important for students to identify their own solutions to challenges?
Dr. Jean Norris
Monique, Very well said! The questions you posted in the forum about exploring the environment are excellent as well. What is the reason it's important for students to identify their own solutions to challenges?
Dr. Jean Norris
It is important to uncover students concerns and identify their needs.Building rapport and gaining their trust will allow you to ask open ended questions and keep the students engaged. Checking their pulse throughout the enrollment process and recaping throughout allow you to ensure you are addressing all possible concerns and help you provide possible solutions.
Asmir, THank you for sharing. It's always best to go with information that you know is compliant! Nice job.
Dr. Jean Norris
