Graduates turning down jobs?
This is a great questions, I would like to hear some ideas on this subject/
Antonia,
Your post really caused me to think about addressing the students' obstacle to distance being an issue of job acceptance.
The city in which our school is located offers excellent pubic/mass transportation. I am wondering if the students who express this as an obstacle could be instructed/guided on ways to make public transportation work for them, i.e. the cost, how it is used, schedules, etc.
Could it be effective to meet with the few students who have these concerns for a mini-session on this?
Theresa,
Our students do face many obstacles. That is why career schools are so well set up to assist students. Part of the orientation and ongoing interaction with students is to help them solve child care and transportation and other problems. If students don't want to travel to work, that tells you that the willingness to take a bus or drive is part of the admissions screening. Admissions helps to determine who is likely to succeed in the program and get a job upon graduation. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
I too believe there is many obstacles that stand in their way of employment. We see alot of child care and transportation problems. Usually once we get over these hurdles we are good to go. But we always seem to get that one student who does not want to travel or does not have the availablity to do so and must bus it which is a big majority of our students.
Antonia,
This is great. We would love to see a copy of these forms and policies. This shows more ways to get the student to understand the job they are training for and that they can make some choices. It makes them think about themselves in order to be able to engage more effectively in the interview process. The process seems to get students to think about an interview based on their abilities. For example, someone with no car needs to think about how they will get to the job and whether a lengthy commute will impact on their success. Your approach is great. Perhaps you are getting students to think that their first job is like a year of post graduate work. Great, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Dr. Schulz,
We have a similar process that we take the students through. In the beginning we meet with them to obtain a generalized view of why they choose the program of study. Career Services offers workshops throughout to provide them with realistic views of the field ex. salary, skills needed, duties, etc. Then towards the end each students are required to complete a final session before going out to there externship or clinical. I have a form where they fill out, questions like
* How far are you willing to travel for work?
* Desired schedule
* Strongest kills
* Specialty in your field that you desire to work in.ETC.
After the form is completed we have another one on one to discuss how there ideals have changed and to ensure they have really gained from the career seminars and class training, during their program. I try to take the notion from them that a position should be turned down, based on salary, hours or distance. We talk about any problems or challenges. The one I tend to be a little more lenient on is distance if it a transportation issue. Otherwise, they know the starting salary is entry level and we have discussed how to negotiate and they realize that they are new to the field and the shift that they receive is based on tenor. The first job is meant to gain experience in the field. I do not have a high number of students turn down jobs.
Jennifer,
Your program sounds like it is dealing with all the issues that stand in the way of grads getting jobs in the fields they trained for. Hopefully these sessions are offered on a regular basis and throughout the time students are in school. We find that employment skills training takes a while and that it is best when integrated into other course work. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
One of the methods we use to minimize graduates turning down jobs is how we execute the Career Planning Consultation. This is a program we have all near graduates partake in. During that session, we consult them on what are their must haves as well as deal breakers. It gives us an opportunity to fully discuss with them opportunities and that we want to be strategic and work with them on opportunities they would not likely turn down. Also, it gives us an opportunity to have a reality discussion to make sure their expectations are within reason of their job search campaign.
Thomas,
This forum is for sharing so we would like to know your experiences with grads turning down jobs. It is vital to know this since your school is measured on job placement. Often grads turn down jobs because they don't understand what the work is. They may also be afraid of taking the job because they lack self confidence. These reasons and many more can all be addressed. It takes workshops, hand holding, coaching, and providing the job search training the grad needs. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
