I would love to hear more about how an Alumni Community can help with placement. We are considering creating one and are wondering what formats it can be set up with (President, Board, fee, free, speakers, fundraisers, goals).
ARIELYS,
Exactly. And sadly the students usually don't come with questions about the coursework!
Dr. Susan Schulz
ARIELYS,
Very good. We agree that most prospective students want to know about how training will help them get jobs. They want to know what assistance they will get in the job search. Instructors are also extremely important in this role. They help students understand what it is really like on the job. What are the responsibilities and expectations. What is a typical day at work like? Everyone on staff has the responsibility of helping students gain skills and confidence for a successful job search. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The placement department impacts the Admissions department because most students want to know that there is employment for programs they will enroll in.
The placement department is extremely important to have successful enrollments because students want to know that they will have assistance for job placement, and that the program of study has employment possibilities.
It also affects other departments specially the faculty and program tendencies because the faculty will be able to prepare students more effectively.
Dorothy,
We agree that Career Services impacts students and grads. If you have comprehensive services and grads get jobs that is very inspirational to students. Students get motivated to complete and on time because they know they are likely to get employed. This says a lot about your school. Your school does get known as THE place for training and THE place as a source for great employees! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I think that Career Services offer so much to students and grads. I think we have a huge impact on enrollments because grads are always networking and it helps to brand our school.
Deborah,
Hi Deborah - We totally agree that career services impacts every department in the school. Admissions counts on career services to learn about job openings, verified salary ranges, and referrals from happy grads. Education can learn about whether training is meeting the needs of the workplace. The fact that students feel confident about the job search does impact retention. Alumni also benefit from career services - especially if you provide assistance when they have lost their jobs or are seeking a career change. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Career services is very important in the different departments throughout the school. Admissions benefits from the job boards in the school showing where places graduates have been placed and they also bring prospective students by to meet us during the tour. Education benefits because when the students are confident in career services the school has better retention. Also, with the help of career services students find jobs to help keep them in school. Financial aid benefits from employed students and graduates being able to make payments and pay student loans.
KIMBERLY,
We totally agree! The Placement or Career Services department is the center of the school - in our opinion. When you think about it, prospective students want to know about jobs and what they will earn. Enrolled students want to know how their skills will be used in the workplace. Grads and alumni want to know what assistance is available to them. Placement staff is responsible for the right employment and salary information. Yes, a really important department. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I feel the Placement Department at my school is just a great addition. I think that the Placement department is not only placing the student in an externship, but providing the student with support and encouragement. In return this helps to give them motivation to try harder to learn what is needed from the instructors.
During the enrollment process is a great time to introduce the Placement Department. It will give the student an idea of how placement is part of the students successful completion of the students program.This I believe will help keep the student focus on their goals.
Morgan,
Good points, Morgan. What is very important is that the information you provide admissions staff is accurate, up to date, and verifiable. We feel that career services has to work closely and consistently with admissions staff. We even think they should sit together. Each can learn from the other and ensure that data is true. Applicant students can talk to career services. Most of the time prospective students are focused primarily on getting a job. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
A successful placement or career services department communicated industry trends and job posting patterns in the field. Admissions can benefit by high placement numbers as can the education department who will want to hire a very effective faculty.
Angie,
Yes, Angie, the Career Services and placement departments are involved in just about every aspect of the school. If they are doing their job career services staff are gathering information about the careers your institution trains for. They are providing admissions with accurate statistics re job placement and salary ranges the labor market. If admissions is doing their job, they are bringing prospective students to meet with your staff to learn first hand the kinds of services and training your department offers. Ideally you manage the Alumni Community at your school as well. Alumni can be of great assistance to the Career Services departments by identifying externship sites and job openings. Placement staff also need to interact with instructors. Students often ask instructors about what it is like on the job. Placement can provide the details and accurate info re salary, and more. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Its very important to engage other departments with the placement department so they may understand the services offered, labor market information, and industry growth.
Placement services may have a huge impact on enrollment to close a deal.
Marita,
We also agree that a great placement and career services department impacts the entire school. Happy and employed students refer their friends and families. These referrals make for quality enrollments. Effective job search strategies help ensure the mission of the school - to train for employment, and as you pointed out - to meet and surpass regulatory guidelines. Great point that employed grads are very likely to repay their loans. Also Alumni will tell you about externships, job openings, and they can return to school to help staff. Another reason to set up an active Alumni Community at your school. I think MaxK offers a course on how to do that! Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I believe the placement department impacts all areas of our school.
Admissions - we must review our placement statistics (both from state and federal viewpoints), and prospective students want to be employed!
Compliance- since we are ACCSC we must meet a minimum benchmark of 70%, but our goal is always much higher!
Financial Aid/Student Accounts - Students who complete and are in the work force are more likely to remain current on their student loan payments. This directly affects the default rate.
Regardless of the department, as a school we strive to ensure our students are employable in the field of their choice.
Mary,
Very comprehensive and thorough analysis of the importance of career services in every area of the school. Internship readiness does impact the office managing internships including Education. And yes, when students are constantly made aware of the job they are training for it does help to keep them in school. Alumni success stories are very important. And also encouraging instructors to continually talk about life on the job and how skills learned will be used in the workplace has to be done. It sounds like you have a good community outreach program too, where someone on your staff stays in constant communication with employers and potential employers. Great that you are also getting feedback about how work-ready grads are and making changes in what students learn so that the employer does not have to train them too. Talking with employers helps to anticipate future training needs.Financial aid can look to you to get students placed and also focused on loan repayment. And definitely career services makes a difference to the admissions department. We actually believe that career services MUST be part of the admissions tour. In fact, we think both offices should sit together. You have put together quite a document to ask for a raise! Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
The placement Department impacts every department in our school.
1. We impact the Registrar's Office by providing knowledge of what classes should be taken by a student before they are sent out to perform an internship. An example would be that a medical assisting student who has not yet completed a phlebotomy course should not be scheduled into their internship prior to or at the same time as taking the course, due to their lack of blood drawing skills not being up to par yet. This makes a better experience for both the student and the internship site.
We impact the Student Retention Department by continually reminding students who are on the fence of dis-enrolling about what changes the completion of their program can and will bring about in their personal and professional lives. We strive to keep them focused on their goals. One way we do this is by providing success stories of recent grads all over the building on our Graduate Wall of Fame and in student newsletters and reminding them that this person was once in your shoes, has become successful and this will soon be you.
We impact the Academics Department by overseeing advisory board meetings for every program. Every quarter we bring to campus employers from the field who have participated in our internship programs and have hired our graduates to provide feedback on what we as their instructors may do to make them more employable and professional. We discuss upcoming changes in their career fields, so that we may stay a step ahead of industry changes.
We impact the Financial Aid Department by providing employment opportunites and assistance to both our current students and graduates. This in turn helps with student loan default rates and helps provide supplimental income for students while attended classes, who must make payments while attending school.
We impact the Admissions Department by providing potential new students with a career outlook. We provide them with feedback on the employment needs of the community by programs and the forecasted growth in each area. We also help them to assess whether or not a particular program is for them or if they may a better candidate for another program by listening to what their desired goals for employment are after completing a program.
2. Ways the placement department can impact enrollments include:
Offering career counseling advice.
Providing potential future enrollments with career specific outlooks.
Providing success stories for future students to see how their lives may also change.
By providing current placement rates per program for all to see.
By providing supplimental income opportunities for students while attending classes.
Jeane,
We agree Jeane. It's all about placement and career services. The more successful and satisfied your students are, and the happier they are working and getting paid, then the more likely they will recommend other students. Referrals is a great way to build enrollment. It's a great way to brand your school and get known in the community for great placement. You might want to consider building an Alumni Community too. Keep your grads tightly connected to your school - forever! MaxK offers an alumni course - CS 105. Best wishes, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
