Event Programming
I would like to implement Job Skills Olympics as an event programming idea to facilitate framework for students' to showcase academic prowess, and to demonstrate use of professionalism in their soft-skills.
Jessica ,
I agree, former students who are now successful alumni are a huge inspiration to students! Do you have a formal alumni program at your institution? If so, any advice on how to start one or tips to help ensure it is successful?
Sheri Leach
Mixers are a great way to get students and employers together. It is amazing when you get employers that are former students involved! Then it becomes magic. Students get to see for themselves that there are successful people who were once sitting in the same seat they are in now. They can see for themselves that once they graduate there is a place for them in the job market. We invite Alumni to come to our open house events as well so prospective students can see the end result of working hard to acheive their dreams.
Identify at least one new event programming idea you learned in the course that you would like to see your institution implement (Job Skills Olympics, Job Fairs, Networking Mixers, Industry/Alumni Speakers, Intern/Extern/Volunteer Fairs). How do you believe this would improve graduate employment outcomes?
Hi Kim,
I hear you - scheduling can definitely be a challenge. Have you explored any distance methods such as webcams or recorded video? When conducting the mock networking activity, are students assessed and given feedback? What is evaluated and how is feedback given?
Robert Starks Jr.
We would love to have more Guest/Alumni speakers. When I do reach out to willing participants, it becomes a simple issue of scheduling. Because our industry is heavily freelance/non-conventional schedules, locking in some quality speakers becomes a tad difficult. The same idea with an actual networking mixer. (We do a mock networking mixer in our CD class).
We are currently planning a career fair. I would also like to see industry/alumni speakers. I've had several alumni say they'd come back to speak to the students - I've asked alumni to do the same; however, it has not worked out yet for them to come back to speak to a class. The idea of setting up a specific event where alumni and employers can speak appeals to me. I think it would be a benefit to career services.
Hello B,
I've seen schools implement "fun" ways to learn employability skills and students seem to love it. You're right - it does offer opportunity to get everyone involved, including employers. Imagine employers being the "judges" for certain "events." Something I've seen work really well too are interdisciplinary projects. A school that taught programs related to art, design and technology would partner with community non-profits for a real-world project. For instance, this school partnered with a non-profit to create a web-based game that promoted wildlife conservation to youth. Another example included interior design students working with a municipality to design a space to transform an abandoned building to something useful for the community. Teams of students were led by instructors and having an opportunity to solve real-world problems energized the students. These types of projects had multiple benefits of positive publicity for the school, employer connections for the school (and students) and real-world experience that could be put on a resume for students. I'd really like to hear more ideas for the types of programs institutions design.
Good luck with your Job Skills Olympics!
Robert Starks Jr.
I really like the idea of Job Skills Olympics. This is a great opportunity for students to show their skills and also interact with industry employers. Students have the opportunity to not only show skills but also learn from professionals how to modify and correct areas that may be deficient or in need of development. Additionally, this entire process will then strengthen the schools relationship with employers.
Students that have the opportunity to show an employer that they have skills and also are open to learning establish a relationship with potential employers and offer hiring opportunities and confidence.
Anna ,
It sounds like many people on this thread are going to try it, I hope all of you will report back on your results!
Ann Cross
We already host and have 2 Career / Job Fairs a year, have Industry / Alumni speakers once a month, or bi-monthly, and also have networking mixers. I really liked the idea of the Job Skills Olympics. I have never heard, or seen implemented in a collegiate environment. I am very excited to learn more and see about trying and implementing into our Career Services Orientation / Career Workshops offered.
I've been wanting to have a Career Fair and an Alumni Night, but seeing the "Networking Mixer" idea, I feel it is better for my institution to combine both ideas into one Mixer. I can invite potential employers and alumni and have recent graduates join so that they can ask questions, get tips on how to apply, and maybe even network for a job offer. This will hopefully help recent graduates who have had a hard time finding a job.
Kelley,
How is this new approach working out? What kind of problems have you encountered and what success stories can you share?
Ann Cross
Kenneth,
One approach you might consider is to approach your health care employers first- most of them use technology and they may be willing to participate in an externship program for your IT students.
Ann Cross
I would like our school to encourage our board members which are members in the industry and alumni to be more involved in our school's career goals. We have just implemented our mock interviews with the involvement of our members in the industry to interview the prospective candidate. Our board members will volunteer to interview and this gives the students the opportunity to interview with a member of our business community. Our goal is to prepare the student for future interviews and to gain insight on how they can improve.
My school is a combination of both healthcare and technology disciplines. Each one of our health programs includes an externship which of course assists the students in securing employment following graduation.
Unfortunately our technology programs our lagging in this area. We have started working on creating co-op relationships with employers to assist our IT students. But we have other programs such as Criminal Justice and Business that are "missing the boat".
This course has bolstered my belief in looking for ways to co-mingle our students with the employment community. I see our next project as focusing on opportunities where our other programs can take advantage of employer exposure.
We currently offer job fairs throughout the year, as well as Industry Speakers which both fair very well. I think I would also like to see some networking events/mixers to allow graduates to better mix with other alum after already working in the industry for some period of time and have them introduced to our newly graduated as well. I think the mixture of employment experience will assist those in better refining their career paths and the idea of all alums will allow the graduates to feel more comfortable and open in expressing ideas or concerns.
I enjoyed this session and really excited about adding Job Skills Olympics and Networking Mixers. Currently, I do a seasonal quiz game to test the student’s employ-ability knowledge.
I give out a prize for each correct answer. I address the incorrect answers and give the reasoning behind the correct one. It is a chance for the entire group to be exposed again to these professionalism tools.
I conduct them seasonally to give them a theme. Ex. during the Holidays I have greeting cards with seasons greeting on one side and a career fact on the other. Valentines I give out a Valentines card with a Happy Valentines Day and a tip on employ-ability etiquette on the back. The students really get into it. They speak in front of the group to provide their answers and they ask questions. I think we could do the same for the Job Skills Olympics and really make it literal. We have employers who come out to judge other contest for our Cosmetology depart, its time to bring it to Allied Health! It will give them another opportunity to engage employers and apply the professionalism skills that they have gained.
We currently do job fairs. However, implementation of Job Skills Olympics, Networking Mixers, Industry/Alumni Speakers, and Intern/Extern/Volunteer Fairs could all be very beneficial. In order to, benefit from these programs, they would have to be tailored to the industry that we operate within. But I have several creative ideas. My next goal is to present them to the School Director with potential employers already on board. I am super excited about this venture.
Really liked the Job Skills Olympics. Think that would challenge the students and create a healthy competitive culture to excel.
