Event Programming
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?
I would like to incorporate Networking Mixers into our programming. I believe students would benefit by speaking to employers in a non-interview style. Asking employers what they are looking for or why previous employees did not work out, would provide a great networking and educational forum.
Erin,
I agree. Have fun with this activity, then your students will. Share your ideas or ask questions in the Lounge.
Sheri Leach
Sharon,
Have fun with the Career Fest Week and let me know what activities you plan!
Sheri Leach
I like the idea of Job Skills Olympics. It combines fun and competition with learning. I can see this being a big hit at my campus! Also- it allows for rewarding- prizes, etc.
We host career fairs on campus at least once each quarter. I really appreciate the suggestion of having a "Career Fest Week". Historically, teaching the soft skills has been the challenge with some of our student population. Implementing a series of focused events leading up to the career fair will better prepare them for the interaction with potential employers. It will also help me strengthen my rapport with the students by spending more time with them during the activities.
I believe I will incorporate the Job skills Olympics, more specifically by program. This will serve two purposes. It will let us know where students stand with the initiative and skill set as well as an opportunity to get employers involved as well. This will help assist with employer buy-in.
Darcee,
Programmatic job fairs and events are very successful. They provide students with an opportunity to not only develop confidence, but they can do it with employers and others in their field of study. This will enable them to learn tips for becoming successfully employed in their field and also give them a chance to network with professionals and alumni.
Sheri Leach
I loved the branding of the Job Skills Olympics, an idea I've had floating around but not firmed up in my mind. I think our students would love the sense of competition and fun while working with habits and soft-skills that require longer term practice and focused efforts to curtail.
I would also like to see our students host departmental "fairs" related to their topics of study such as health or beauty that could provide the important learning opportunity of teaching others what they know. It would also be a great way for our campus to interact with the community and possible employers.
Susan,
That's great. Be sure to visit the Career Lounge to let us know how you are doing and to ask any questions you may have.
Sheri Leach
I really like the idea of the Job Skills Olympics, most particularly the best 2 minute elevator speech! What a great idea - I think this gives students the MUCH needed practice to communicate / verbalize information about their new chosen profession, which at first can be awkward and stilted. It's a fun and easy way to have them practice this skill while being in a safe and nurturing environment and get rewarded for doing well :)
I will incorporate this next term! I also want to hold more networking events where students can build social skills with employers (professional dress, etiquette, and communication) without the pressure of an interview right away. If they attend a couple of these events before a job fair it helps by setting the expectation of professional dress, communication (eye-contact, hand shakes, etc...) and can lead to a more productive job fair.
Theodore,
Agreed. We should always remember and pay attention to the basics and innovate as we move forward.
Sheri Leach
Kristine ,
You can start by asking your existing employers if they will be willing to take an intern or volunteer.
Sheri Leach
Margaret,
Work with the instructors and staff to organize events where alumni can come and speak to the students. It can be as elaborate as an entire alumni panel or one former graduate who stops by a classroom to say hello. One best practice: when an employed graduate comes back onto campus for any reason ask them to spend a few minutes speaking to a class and walk them right to the class!
Sheri Leach
I would very much like to add intern/extern/volunteer possibilites as an option to our program. So many of our graduates have little work experience and I feel this would benefit them tremendously.
I would like to see more alumni speak to students about their experience. It would be of great value for them to have this first hand perspective of the job market.
I think my institution can benefit from having Alumni speakers attending and presenting at industry or professional conferences and symposiums. Although my school has been around for over 100 years, the opportunity to present such fundamentally important success stories such as graduates or student-customers placed within their field of employment is essential as we go forward. This has been very informative! Thanks!
Gretchen,
Agreed. Those are all productive activities. I encourage you to resume the alumni events. A best practice is to have these events a pre-determined intervals. Always let attendees at one event know before they leave when the next event is. Also, stay positive- turnout will increase as word gets out.
Sheri Leach
Networking Mixers is one new event I would like to see us as an institution implement. To have current LMT's and Estheticians, along with employers, meeting with current students to talk about up-to-date trends, marketeability skills, how to network in the industry and what helped them in their job search, would be so very beneficial. In the past I heard that we also held Alumni Events on campus and would also like to reintroduce those so that current students can see just how successful past graduates have been in their chosen career fields. This encouragement, along with guidance, can be excellent tools for motivating and directing those future graduates.
Laura,
Anytime a student can have fun while learning gets my vote! Let us know if you have any other job olympic ideas to share.
Sheri Leach
