Jesus,
Yes, we agree. Job placement gives a new student confidence about finding a job after graduation. Often employers visit the school to talk about job opportunities. Great career services also includes employment skills training and more. When students see the support they get to find a job they are more likely to stay. Thus efforts increase retention too. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Whe prospective students see that the school can help student to find a job, they trust the school more and feel that the school is the best place for them.
Debra,
We certainly agree that good word of mouth is the best way to get your community to view your school as THE place to train and for staffing. Great career services means your staff is spending a good part of their week out in the community talking with current employers and meeting new employers. You goal is getting jobs and also determining how effective your training is. You want to watch for trends in the workplace and new training needs. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The impact of Placement Services is full circle with the opeartion of the campus. Satisifed graduates and employers impact the enrollment, retention, graduation, and placement rates. Word of mouth can be the best advertisement for a campus.
Angela,
Very well said. We believe that Placement can impact on every area of the school - enrollment, retention, and of course placement. Relationship building with employers, prospective employers, students, grads, and alumni are all key to success. All your constituency can be sources for job openings and can assist to train students in the job search process. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The Placement Department plays a big role in all departments. We want to make sure we prepare the students with resume writing, interview skills, and attitude. It’s super important that we not only we build relationships with employers but that we build relationships with our students so that they will have the confidence to go out into the world to get their careers going.
Nancy,
Thanks for your comments. Placement and Temp agencies might not be a good resource for entry level jobs. This points to career services kind of functioning as an inhouse placement service. Jobs are why our students enroll in our schools. So we think that should be a focus. Career schools have a responsibility for training students to be effective job seekers. They need lots of workshops, training, feedback, and handholding. That's what it takes to get to them to the water trough and get an employer to say yes. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
I've been on both sides of the fence and vastly disapointed in the placement services of roughly 98% of companies and temp agencies I've encountered so in those instances the placement services have been of no help. Now looking at it from the opposite side and working in the placement department I think they can be effective if the employees actually care about their work, have the proper training and a customer service focused attitude. Ultimately however it's up to the student to utlilize the appropriate services but like the saying goes you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
JUAN,
This is great. Very innovative and addresses so many needs current and future. Many grads in a variety of fields are training so they can work on their own - IT, massage therapists, and many more. Therefore there needs to be more formal ways to train them to be successful to work on their own and to demonstrate they are gainfully employed. Job retention is definitely important and specific training is required to keep a job and get raises and promotions. And yes, it certainly impacts admissions requirements and focuses on the need for community outreach for all areas of the school. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
In our institution we are undertaking a multiphase-career growth opportunities approach that includes: entrepreneurship, integration into the workforce, and continuation of advanced degrees (masters and doctoral degrees).
These efforts have direct repercussions in our admissions, career offerings, and institutional community involvement. These multiphase-career growth opportunities approach create recognition among the communities that we serve local, state, and national governments as well as private institutions.
In our institution we are undertaking a multiphase-career growth opportunities approach that includes: entrepreneurship, integration into the workforce, and continuation of advanced degrees (masters and doctoral degrees).
These efforts have direct repercussions in our admissions, career offerings, and institutional community involvement. These multiphase-career growth opportunities approach create recognition among the communities that we serve local, state, and national governments as well as private institutions.
Nicole,
We also agree that placement impacts on every measurable area of the career school. Great placement numbers say a school is great and is the first question a prospective student has. We think that placement figures should excded regulatory requirements. When you focus on placement you reach out to the community for jobs. At the same time you learn about what training is needed in the future and what training you can offer current employees of the companies near you. Placement is a measurable goal that all faculty and staff can be involved in. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
As a Career Services Coordinator I feel that the Placement Department greatly impacts the entire school and potential enrollments. If placements are down this takes a big toll on the admissions department because they are constantly being asked by potential enrollments what the schools placements are for the field that they are interested in studying. If the admissions representative has to explain that the placements are below average it may greatly increase the chances of the prospective student choosing another school where the placements are higher or it may persuade the potential enrollment not to go to school all together because they may feel that all that hard work and money will go to waste. In turn all departments will suffer because if there are little to no enrollments coming in then we lose revenue and ultimately programs and departments.
Mayra,
That does say it all re our goals. Train students to get great jobs where they are successful. Working alumni set an example and draw attention to themselves and your school. Employers see your institution as a source for qualified workers and a place to send their employees for training. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I totally agree as well. Students that are working in their field and are happy, will lead to strong referrals that all of us can benefit rom.
Josephine,
Yes, we agree that everyone on staff has a role in the student successfully getting placed. And everyone on staff certainly needs to be trained about the services offered by Career Services. This shows that Career Services is not the "last stop" but rather training that goes on from enrollment and throughout the classroom experience. You are right that constant involvement with students and their goals helps to identify possible challenges. A student might simply be enrolled in the wrong program. Before the individual drops out it may be possible to transfer him/her to a program that better meets needs. This takes ongoing involvement. As to involvement of admissions staff, we often recommend that admissions and career services sit in the same office. The reality is that prospective students really want to know about the jobs they will get. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The Career Services (i.e. placement) department is part of the full life cycle for a student. In order for the student life cycle to be successful, each department must play a positive role in working with each other for the best interest of the student. The Career Services department is often thought of as the "last stop" in the student's experience. However, the goal of our Career Services department is to remind each department the role our services play and should be intertwined through out each check point (Admissions, Student Advising, and Academics).
Our Career Services department provides a product knowledge training (an overview of staffing, mission, expectations, services, and results) to each new Admissions Representative hired by the college. We also provide annual refreshers for existing staff. This helps the new and existing Admissions staff feel comfortable and continually aware of the Career Services operation and any changes that may occur. Student Advising and Academics are departments we play a key role in partnering with during a student's experience. Student Advising places "just checking in" calls to a certain percentage of the general population each term. During that call the advisors are prompted to begin discussions with the student regarding career goals and how they are relating to the classes taken. Those responses are then shared with the student's Department Chairperson and Career Advisor. If the student indicates his or her career goal is no longer in line with the classes being taken the Department Chairperson will contact the student to discuss. This discussion also allows the student to share any challenges as well as identify strengths the student may have as a result of the class. The Career Services Advisor is looped into the conversation to provide additional talking points on current expectations of the industry and job market.
As a result of these efforts, the student services departments (advising, academics, and career) are sending the student a consistent "we care" message. This proves to be a excellent selling point for Admissions Representatives to share with new enrollments. Our goal to impact enrollments is to show a stellar level of customer service to our student. This helps keep our student motivated to graduate and excited about the job market.
Leah,
It is interesting that student and graduate success is so contagious. When students see that grads get great jobs the students will put in extra effort to do well and stay in school. Good placement means that you have developed good relationships with employers in the community. They see you as a resource for training and great staff. We think placement and career services impacts every area of the school. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Leah,
Alumni Communities impact on all areas of the school - enrollment, retention, placement, and much more. MaxKnowledge offers a course on setting up an Alumni Community. I wrote it. The facilitator is a great Alumni Community director and has a lot of valuable information. So it is very worth while. Also look at this month's edition of Career College Central. There is an article I wrote on the return on investment of Alumni organizations at career schools. Or email directly for more details and articles. susan@susanfschulz.com
Dr. Susan Schulz
I feel that with our school, Placement has really started to effect the trust in the school/staff and that has rubbed off on student Morale. The excitement students have when they get an interview that came from the Placement Department creates an open dialogue and they will be more likely to come back and help with Alumni groups, speaking to current students, referring grads to their employers, telling us about openings, etc.
