jobs that require licensure
At my school, students must first graduate from our program -- and then sit for a state board examination before they are allowed to be placed in a job. So many of them procrastinate in taking the exam -- rendering the placement department ineffective. Any suggestions?
Jorge,
Thanks. You have identified a challenge - keeping interest doing valuable things while waiting for the exam. It sounds like you have an entire course for these interim students to complete. As you are discovering - it takes a lot of work and follow up and constant contact with each student. This does pay off. The student will be successful, pass the exam, and get a job. Your school will be seen as THE school to attend. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
We have a similar process in that the State Licensure waiting time is about 60-90 days, in the interim we have the Students maintain themselves active and participate in class activities as well as volunteering to be prepared for the job search to come, we always recommend that during the down time that the Students review their notes, workbook, as well as their textbooks because preparation is key. When an employer entertains the notion of hiring a candidate with limited or no experience it is always best to go into the interview prepared and confident, having participated in the recommended activities during their downtime for the best outcome possible, which at the end of the day is to get HIRED!!!
John,
There are many programs that require taking a licensing test in order to seek employment. Most schools have similar challenges. There is a timing issue. The student also has to complete the license application, study for the test, take the test, wait for results, and seek employment. It takes a lot of "hand holding." Schools who are successful have figured out all the steps during the hand holding process. It is great to use wait time to start the interview process and identify potential employers. We feel this takes a dedicated student services person to oversee this process. thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Our school faces the same issue with the license being required to work in the graduate’s new field. We have tried to plan class ending dates to coincide with the state testing dates. Also, we encourage graduates to apply for a temporary license to work in the meantime. Our instructors often have review sessions with graduates to prepare for the state/national exams. I encourage the graduates to use that waiting time to identify potential employers to visit once they are licensed and ready to work. Also, I recommend the graduates focus on themselves to better prepare for an interview and job search.
Rosio,
Good point to fully disclose additional costs like license and certification exam fees. We also find that most institutions are including the fee in the tuition. It does simplify bookkeeping and streamlines the process. Great idea to schedule test taking during the externship. Ideally the student is fully prepared prior to starting the externship and there are test-prep courses to prepare the student. Confidence should be high at this time. Great ideas. Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
We face the same issue at my school. What we have done is include the fee in the tuition, and we have students take their test while at externship. I am not sure if your programs would work this way but it has worked for us.
Joyce,
Great idea to have review classes.It is equally important to build in that expectation from day 1. We see schools that hold many Exit interviews. One of the goals is to work with the grad to complete exam applications and plan for students will study for them. Students are required to set goals and stick with them. Schools are measured on placement. A grad can't get placed if a license is required and they haven't planned to complete the test. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
i have encuntered the same issues with some of my students as well and completely understand where you are coming from. I agree as far as reviews go they help alot not only with retaining the knowledge they learned in class but I would like to mention the difference it makes in the confidence it helps maintain within the student which in turn can be lost as every day goes by that they are not in class. (making it harder to get them to establish an exam date) I use this as a tool to aide me in "pusshing them" to not delay for example: " Now that you are registered in the reviews lets not loose time and set you up with an appointment date for your exam." and I use the exam date as an "enchancer" For example: " now that you have a n exam date John put it on your refrigerator as a reminder the date is set have to study" and so on.
Kerry,
This is a challenge in many schools where there is some delay between graduation and taking a licensing test. There are many strategies. One is to plan post graduate requirements such as required test prep workshops, required meetings with career services staff to complete the license test application, job search workshops, etc. Keep grads in touch with the school and other classmates so they motivate each other. Ask Alumni for ideas re what would have helped them. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
