Student involvement in Job Search
Unfortunately, we have found that students are relying on our Career Service department to do all of their job searching. Can anyone give us ideas on how to make the students take more of an active role in their job search?
Amy,
We believe that all career services assignments and projects should be required. If job shadowing, visits, tours, internships, etc. are required you might ask Alumni to assist. Alumni are often happy to help out so students are successful - especially if they had a great experience. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
That is a great idea. We recommend that students do this to see what kind of places they would like to work in, but to make it an actual assignment would 'force' them to do it. I will definately see if we can implement this on campus.
Janice,
This does sound great.If you stay in touch with grads and have active alumni they will probably be happy to have students job shadow them, or provide tours of the companies. Sounds like you have a great project to cover most skills a grad needs in the job search process. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
As part of the students homework they need to visit and research different companies throughout a two month time period, giving a written and oral report of each established visited. This also gives fellow students a good picture about other companies, thier offerings, and how that company is run. Asking for a tour, dropping off a cover letter and resume, then following up with a thank you note. This has been very effective along with some other placement services in the school.
Kathy,
Interesting point. We can argue both sides. Usually the first job is the best job. And often it was good luck to get. So waiting for another opportunity could be a long wait! In addition, people new to the workplace really don't know what a good job looks like. That is often something discovered while on the job. On the other hand, there can be career services training to teach grads how to envision and measure what a perfect job is for them. Great question. Thanks
Dr. Susan Schulz
I agree with having students being actively involved with their job search, but I disagree with the fact that they should not take the first job offered and that they should be looking only for long term employment. Many employers are looking to hire employees with experience, so if offered a job, I believe they should accept. You never know, it could turn into long term employment.
Michael,
Very well put. Grads must be responsible for their own job search. The school must provide all the skills and mentoring and follow up to make that happen. Sort of a team approach. Long term goals are also vital and emphasize the need to do well on the job to seek advancement and raises. There is a lot to training a student to be effective in the job search process. That's why we think it should be ongoing. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
It is very important to have the student actively envolved in his or her job search. They need to research the prospective employers to see if that is where they believe they would enjoy working and have the best opportunity for advancement not just take the first offer of employment because of their financial desp[eration. It is important to have " Long Term Employment" goals during the job search period.
Hope,
Hi Hope
Great questions. Bottom line the only motivation we have found is to require students to complete Career Services courses and employment skills workshops. Eventually that will be the culture of your school and students will complain if they don't get the training! It's funny how that works. Like seat belts. You could show lots of videos of maimed and injured people. But only when wearing seatbelts became law did drivers start to wear them. Also get the support of faculty and staff re employment skills and job search training. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
