The Placement Department has a positive impact on all departments within an educational facility.It impacts the Admissions Department by having the ability to increase enrollments of prospective students if the externship completion rate is high as well as the job placement rate and alumni job placement assistance is effective.The Placement Department also has a positive impact on faculty and the Dean of Education in that it can give feedback on best teaching methods as well as what is taught in the classrom.The Placement Department also positively impacts the Financial Aid Department by inreasing their caseload because of higher enrollments by the Admissions Department, that the Placement Department had a partial hand in providing.
HI Darlene, Very interesting situation. Here are some ideas we came up with to address the realities of the economy. 1. Alert prospective students that they may have to look beyond Jacksonville for employment and that they might have to be creative like working a few days away from home each week. 2. Talk with employers who are at a distance and who may need court reporters. Ask them about incentives they can provide to your grads. 3. Ask employers to visit your school and talk about the benefits of living in their area. Hope this starts to generate a few more ideas for you. Best wishes, Susan
In a court reporting school the one of the qualifications for graduation is to develop your speed to 225 wpm. So when I talked about upper speed students they are in the 180, 200, or 225 class. We have saturated the Jacksonville area at least that's what the firms are saying. They have all the reporters they need here. That's why we need to look at the whole United States to find jobs for our Graduates. Unfortunately most of our students want to stay right here. We have placed many students in Baltimore area and Philadelphia, Tampa, all over the place. With the economy the way it is things have not been so great lately. Proably the most frustating thing about placement is making the students understand that they can get work, it just might not be in Jacksonville.
Hi Darlene, Your comments made us think that new students really don't know what they don't know about the job search process. They get "distracted" by focusing on school work and it probably feels safe for the moment. Another reason why early reason persistent placement skills intervention is important. Not sure what the terminoloyg "upper speed" students means. Can you explain. Are you also suggesting that you need to contact potential employers outside of your immediate geographical range? Does it make sense to contact employers where students say they want to locate? Thanks, Susan
I do believe that it impacts potential students. I'm sure it makes them feel more confident about the school knowing that we are here to help you get a job when you've finished the program. Our upper speed students are worried that they may not be able to find jobs when they finish. We do have an internship that is required just before graduation. This helps the students get a feel for the market place here locally. We still need to get with other firms in other states to get a feel for the true market place.
HI Gloria
Very effective way to make the point. Yes, people enroll in school to get a job. Students and staff all get distracted from that goal. That's why we urge career services to start the first day of class. Students need to be learning and practicing employment skills in the same way they are learning subject matter and skills for their new careers. Admissions reps and faculty all need to keep the job search in mind throughout the student's experience. Best wishes, Susan
I often get asked the question when people are requesting informatioN about the school- "Do you offer job placement assistance?" This seems to be something that most people are looking for.
Hi Emily! This is excellent input. The Placement department is no longer the back door of the program where job leads are posted and resumes are utilized. Placement is integrated throughout the program because, in reality, helping graduates get into thier chosen fields is what we do - hands down! Placement representatives can also be a tremendous source for academics, particularly in forwarding information from employers about current skill requirements and expectations.
Thanks for your comments!
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
Hi Aracely, Very well put. We feel career services is one of the most important departments in a school. It functions as a community outreach source and can impact on the entire community as well as the school. Thanks, Susan
Really good points, Jere. Many placement departments know this but need systems in place to convey the information to admissions reps. We find that a report is an effective way to update admissions people. It can be as often as every week listing grads (not by name) and where they got job offers. Other information that is helpful includes job promotions and salary increases and what employers say about your grads. This takes surveying grads and employers and tracking the information. Then conveying the information on a regular basis. We have found that meetings and presentations with admissions department staff is also an effective way to get the information to them. Thanks, Susan
Hi Emily
Great summary of how a comprehensive placement department impacts on the entire school. All the results you have identified take effort. The admissions reps have to be briefed regularly about placement results. Students and grads have to be aware of the potential success they will experience upon completion. And employers and potential employers need to know about your great grads. Thanks, Susan
Every department within the school is interconnected and the Placement Department plays an important part. The Placement Department can positively impact other departments in the school such as the admissions department. When students are effectively placed into jobs after they graduate then admission reps can show and share with prospective students the results. Prospective students are looking for a good career after they are done with education and with the statistics from the placement department the students could feel more comfortable enrolling. So when the placement department is successful it shows and it helps admission reps enroll students into programs at the school.
The placement department impacts other departments in a lot different ways. I think the biggest department placement has the biggest impact in admission. Admission reps will comment on placement during a presentation and a tour of the school. Placement can impact enrollment in a big way, if your placement numbers are low, chances are so will enrollment. If placement numbers are hight, so will enrollment.
the Placement Department plays a very specific role in schools. A well structured placement department can positively impact other departments by for example; contracting new extern sites, and soliciting all programs to the employers that we offer here at our school.I can also impact the number of enrollemnts for each month by word of mouth. Graduates who have completed the program and have found placement in the field of their study are likely to recommend the school to their friends, family and or co-workers.
Thanks, Mary, for sharing these thoughts!
We have often said that placement is no longer the "backend of the program," but integrated into every component of the career school; after all, it's what we are in the business to do. In fact, I really think the term "placement" is becoming antiquated; perhaps Career Services better reflects our mission.
Jay Hollowell
MaxKnowledge
PL101 Guest Facilitator
Hi Lena! Thanks for your comments! Dr. Schulz is on vacation during the holidays and I am honored to be facilitating the discussion forums.
You're so right; excellent placement statistics as well as solid employer relationships not only constitute an effective service, but serve both as a motivation to students as well as a resouce to admissions.
Many years ago, I was the Career Services Director for a campus that was part of a national career college system. We would regularly send placement updates to admissions, accompany admissions reps to career fairs, and often speak with prospects directly in the admissions office. We also maintained a "Success Board" that exemplified recent hires (with graduate approval of course).
Jay Hollowell
PL101
Hello Dr.Schulz,
The impact of placement services is not only for the student to be placed in a professional service, but also to increase enrollment by developing an excellent placement record and motivating students to complete school to keep our retention records on a high level.
Lena Notarstefano
Hi Mary
You've got it. You are right that placement impacts on the success of the school. And effective placement activities provide many public relations and community outreach opportunities. Imagine if every employer looked to your school as their staffing agency! Thanks, Susan
An effective Placement Department positively impacts Admissions and Retention. Potential students are more likely to enroll in a school with a good placement history. They are also more likely to recommend the school to their friends.
Similarly, students who are confident of placement possibilities are more likely to finish their program.
Following that logic, it seems an effective Placement Department positively impacts all other departments. A high prospect of employment likely motivates students. Motivated students are probably going to do their best in their classes, which suggests better attendance, consistent tuition payments, etc.
During the first 2 years of the school's existence an outside vendor was brought in to 1)teach a 1-day seminar on job search skills and 2)to write the resumes. By establishing a placement dept our placements increased dramatically. The admissions dept was excited to have a placement rate to talk about enthusiastically. It also gave them more success stories to talk about. The instructors have told me they appreciate that someone can coach the students through the job search so the students won't quit on their new career goal.
I'm wondering how do you coach co-workers who interact with potential employers to talk up the school as a place to recruit for new employees.
