Get Your Students Hired
School uniforms /dress code we start in the class room prepping our students for the work place, coaching and reminding them to be professionals at all times.
Agreed. The way and manner in how a person is dressed and groomed says a lot for a first impression.
I agree about dress code following through the entire institute. Administration and instructors should follow a standard as well. If students aren't permitted to wear a certain article of clothing staff should not either.
I agree most students do not know the importancey that is required of them in the workplace. As a professional cosmetology and also teaching this profession. Many of my students want to wear what they want to wear on the clinic floor when doing chemical services and working with hair itself. But what they dont realize is that every workplace or school has rules and regulations. our school require all cosmetology students to wear black scrubs. Which is great considering all the chemicals my students have to work around. But little do they know it protects them in the long run.
In my field of study, it is very important to look and be very professional. Dress code is a part of that. The board that regulates my profession also requires that any student recieving hour will be in a school prescried uniform.
Ashley,
Excellent observation and so true! I don't think people realize what a difference this can make. Do you also cover things on their social media sites (e.g. postings on Facebook)?
Susan Backofen
Since my school is an online school, we don't have dress code, but we do initiate similar preparations for entering the work force through email addresses. Many of our students come in with emails addresses that are less than appropriate for the work force and we handle the guidance toward professional contact information much like a dress code would be handled.
Stephan,
Uniforms related to careers certainly help to make sure feel more focused and successful (they are already part of that industry!) It also assist them in preparing for the 'real' world where they will have to do this daily.
Susan Backofen
I agree with you Marcos; I teach at a career school and uniforms (scrubs) are mandatory for students to wear to class as part of their training for professionalism in the workplace. Students are asked to leave the class if he/she does NOT wear his/her uniform to class, allowed to change and come bak to class or will recieve a grade "0" for the day(10% of their total grade).
Unfortunately some students dont know what professional attire is, so it's up to us as instructors/professional to show them and guide them. Once they know how to dress for success they begin to feel better and more confident about themselves.
My school has a uniform for some programs, but not all. Those without a uniform are required to were professional clothing. I think that this helps the student get used to dressing for school/work so that once they begin their career, they will know what is and is not acceptable. It also gives them some time to build their wardrobes and learn what is and is not appropriate.
At our school, the instructors are required to model the dress code. In some areas, this is not just a "professional" look, but also a safety issue (i.e., proper footwear in the shop, etc.)
Students need to know the importants of dressing professional, some like it and some will not but class must go on with a dress code
Matt--
Excellent points. I don't think students fully understand the importance of that first impression. Ideally, it wouldn't matter but it clearly does. While many of your students may argue they wouldn't go to an interview like that, I have heard some real horror stories of how they present themselves. It is one of the most important things we can teach them in addition to the career skills.
Susan
First impressions are extremelty important. Several months ago we had an employer stopped by our school for a visit. He was completely unannounced. After visiting with him after one of my classes. He informed me that he enjoyed his visit and wanted to partner up for recruiting...but dont send me ANYONE that looks like THAT. The gentlemen pointed to a group of students that evidently didnt know where their pants were meant to be worn. In short, these students WOULD NEVER be given a chance to work ANYWHERE let alone a high-paying HVAC company because they dont understand that appearance is everything. Some foremans have such a huge pile of applicatons that what some of us consider a small detail is actually a deal breaker for them. Why on earth WOULD THEY hire someone who looks like they would rather join a gang than make a living in the trades????? They shouldnt, and they probably wont.
Corinna--
I do agree that dress codes can be helpful in preparing students for the 'real' world. We cannot under estimate the impact that first impression has on our customers. In some cases, our classrooms are the first exposure they have to appropriate attire.
Susan
When you talk about dressing properly at all times it brings up an issue that we see here. The dress code for the programs, uniforms, does not apply for the general studies programs where students from multiple disciplines study together.
This can cause problems, but the policy was put in place because the instructor has too many different dress rules, for different programs to keep track of.
Standardization would be a blessing, but the individual programs wish to keep their own identities.
I think dress codes are needed especially in trade schools where students interact & provide services for the public. This shows professionalism and represents the school in a professional manner. And it prepares the student to go into the work place and abide by rules of dress code there. I know in the cosmetology field dress code & apperance is vital to your success as a cosmetologist.
Our school does have a dress code and we are very strict on it. Yes I think it prepares the students for the work force.
Agreed, that is why it is important to hold them to their dress code so they are used to it by the time they enter the woorkforce