I think career colleges have always been deemed inferior to "traditional" colleges. I attended a career college myself, and when I tell people where I went, their response is "Oh, that's nice". If I had gone to a traditional school that everyone has heard of, then I think the preception is that I have received a better education. I don't think the media shares the benefits of attending one of these schools, such as ease of attending if you are a working adult, online classes, and the overall flexibility they offer.
Absolutely! That's one of our strongest selling points in the career college industry, that we're able to offer a more hands on, condensed program. However, since we don't fit the typical university forum, the media vary rarely recognizes all the positive opportunities that we can bring to the table, and tend to overlook our industry. Maybe it's time that we bridge the gap by reaching out to our local media. By doing so, aren't we only encouraging a stronger and more positive correlation to our rare industry?
Yes, career colleges offer many the opportunity to study in a condensed, hands-on environment. Additionally, many use a career college as a stepping stone for an advanced degree.
Very true Tracy. We have been seeing a huge focus on completion and placement. Compliance in all areas is a necessity, however, completion and placement are at the forefront with emphasis on placement. The media has helped tremendously in our area, focusing on the needs of businesses and how career schools have helped to satisfy this need as well as placement of a large dislocated workforce due to NAFTA.
I like the positive perspective on this topic! It does seem that the various regulatory and accrediting bodies are in tune with the issues. The focus of reviews seems to change periodically based on current "hot topics". Lately, there has been a lot more focus on placement and completion than in the past. I am aware of some state regulatory agencies that are adding or intensifying their review and thresholds in these areas.
In my estimation, the media appears to have done little to impact the regulatory environment in which career schools exist. That is, they tend to gain the attention of the public, but the accrediting agencies, state and federal regulatory bodies are aware of items that must be monitored and are doing an exceptional job of paying close attention to those items. I think, if anything, media coverage of negative events in the career college industry causes other schools to take notice of areas that they need to pay attention. That is, either areas that have lost the companies attention or those that have been overlooked because of other areas of focus (as the learning material alluded to).
I agree, Kathleen. Our career school sought national accreditation simply to distinguish ourselves. We don't presently offer Title 4 and have no plans to offer it in the future. We pursued accreditation solely to be a better school.
Each one today receives much information of means where it is necessary that people analyze the information and she is educated to take the best alternative at the time of deciding that university will attend. In addition to verify that the University is certified by the state. The means are a way to educate and to inform but also is used to misinform and to make damage to the most innocent people.
The media has influenced the education industry by letting schools get an idea of how another school is operating so they can change some of their policies and practices to gain an upper hand in recruiting wars.
John - I would like to see this story too. Can you attach it on this forum?
Excellent points, Cheryl. I think many schools underutilize the strength of the employers as a support to our industry. I applaud your institution's focus on students and graduates as they can be our biggest advocates.
I feel that the media's role to enlighten and inform still has value in our industry and others, although it does seem at times that media's focus is on the negative or the sensational in an attempt to “entertain†or "sensationalize" rather than to inform. This tendency perhaps, is to some extent the fault of the consumer. The media focuses on what they think we want to see in order to increase their viewership/readership. However, one cannot deny that sometimes media focus leads to much-needed social change. There have been far too many examples of individuals/organizations gone awry to ignore the value of the media in bringing these situations to the public's attention.
Certainly, there has been a heightened regulatory environment in all industries as a result of the exposure of Enron and others. By shining the light on regulatory issues, the media is forcing organizations to take a deep look inward. Ultimately, that can only benefit all of us and increase public confidence. Unfortunately “for-profit†when linked to education has always been suspect.
I too think it is important that the public is aware that career colleges voluntarily seek accreditation and by doing so become subject to a stringent regulatory environment. Public confidence is shaken when the “bad apples†are exposed. What they need to see is that there are differences and that the “good apple†career colleges serve a very important role in education.
I think that working closely with employers is another area that truly serves us well. When our graduates enter the workforce, the extent to which they are prepared to immediately make an impact is the best word-of-mouth publicity we can get! I am very proud to be part of an organization that truly focuses on the student and their success. The ability to change lives in a very profound way can't help but keep you motivated.
John: Do you have the link to this article? I was unable to find it online and I would like to read it. I agree that media - no matter whether their articles are well researched or mostly opinion - have such impact on our legislators.
There was a story in the New York Times today (2/23/07) on the need for increased regulation in the career college sector. This I trust will have a powerful impact on legislators as they work through their education agenda in the new congress.
Lori -
Great comments - be sure to check out the article I attached in repsonse to Richard's next posting. Your comment about students not surviving in a traditional college is validated by some rather depressing statistics. Those students frequently end up in our sector - where they get the additional support and attention - as a "second chance" student. I am proud to be a part of an industry that not only offers a second chance but, also provides the means and support needed to increase their odds of graduating and securing a job!
Richard-
I think what has kept me intrigued by this industry for my 20 years in the business is the passion of the people, like you, that this business attracts. Your suggestions are great - we need to encourage everyone to share their passionate stories and the successes of their graduates to get some positive press.
Given the topic of this thread, I thought you may be interested in this article. I prefer seeking positive press on the career schools and do not intend to push negative info about the traditional sector but, this article hit home. In the for-profit sector, the results referenced in this article would be cause for action by an accreditor.
You are so right, Kathleen, about the graduations bringing the point home. No matter how tough things seem, graduation ceremonies give me that boost and reminder of why we all choose to stand firm on our convictions.
This industry in the ultimate in the "win-win" concept. When it works right, all parties benefit - students by getting jobs, employers by having a pool of trained candidates to fill positions, schools themselves by being successful (i.e. profitable - which should not be considered a bad thing when achieved the right way) and employees of the schools are happily employed by a successful school. As for-profit entities, we also pay various taxes - thereby contributing to government and communities with the monies that go back to work thru those tax dollars as well as impacting employment rates positively. It's amazing to me that such a wonderful model of the multitude of "winners" in the mix that we continue to be subjected to the level of scrutiny which exists.
Other suggestions I have thought of after Richard's encouragement to feed positive graduation stories with the media would be to highlight other postive events as well. Press releases for certain newly hired or promoted key employees, testimonies from happy employers, school sponsored community events, and even new facility launches can be events that may get published if you take the time to provide the media with a release. The media is more likely to publish these if they are concise (easy to fit or edit for space) and personalized to include quotes and/or pictures. Be persistent, like Richard suggested, with all types of submissions. Eventually, you will hit a date when they have space to fill. Another thing I have seen that may help attract media attention is if you have a prominent guest speaker at a graduation ceremony or other event.
As more people go thru this course online, I am hoping we can get additional suggestions and ultimately, start hearing some success stories from those who get results on the ideas presented!
Well, thanks. But there is nothing special about me. This business is special. The students we work for and their families and their friends are special.
Someone on your campus needs to contact the media and invite them to cover your graduation ceremonies. If they don't come at first keep inviting them, or shoot video yourselves and submit them to the news department of local TV stations. Encourage your students to write letters to the editors of local papers telling their stories. If we want positive representation in the press we can't sit around and wait for it because it isn't likely to happen. We need to generate it ourselves.
By the way, welcome to the greatest business on earth, despite the over regulation and negative perceptions, there is still no other business like it.
I have been with a Career College now for almost twelve years and I love it. It is the wonderful success stories of our students that keep us going. I don't think the traditional schools have the heart and soul that we give to our students that would otherwise be lost. So many have never been successful in school or life and we are the helping hand that all of us have needed from time to time. Graduations always bring that point home just by looking at the students' faces and all of the faces of their families, as well as friends, beaming with pride. Wow, are we lucky.
Richard, I am a relative newbie to the career college world. I have been in my current position for two years. But what has impressed me the most is the total commitment my for-profit organization has to its students. Sure we want them to be able to receive Title IV funding as it helps pay their bill, but what we really want is for them to learn and to be successful. Our target student is a 25 year old single mother of two. We want to help her get an education that will give her the opportunity to provide a decent living for her children and will allow her choices in her own life. As part of our graduation ceremony each of our students is given the opportunity to speak. The majority of them tell the story of how they got to our college and the help they received to make it through. I have seen our CEO reduced to tears over the stories that come out during those graduation ceremonies. Most of our students would not survive in a traditional college. I wish the media would take the time to hear and print some of the true success stories of career college students so that they, and certain of the regulators, would understand that career colleges are operated and administered by individuals who are just as committed, if not more so, to student learning and success as are community colleges and state run universities. I applaud your commitment!
