Get Your Students Hired
As a part of my new job as retention coordinator, it's my privilege to teach the introductory Career Development class. In this class we discuss various topics that may be life changing for students who haven't been exposed to topics like study habits, using technology, dealing with stress, time management, careers, diversity and relationships, positive self talk and affirmations.
This allows me to connect with each new student (I plan to become involved to some degree in the sections that I'm not teaching)and share vital information for personal and professional success in addition to developing a relationship with each one.
I'm hoping for great outcomes!
Thanks, Robert.
I think every career college worries about retention. We want students to succeed in school and in a career position. We have to be careful not to lose sight of the idea that we can only graduate competent students, no matter what our retention goals or statistics might be.
It the students we graduate do not know the things they need to know, cannot do the things they need to do and cannot think like the professionals we are professing to graduate, we will not be successful for long. Our graduates will not be hired or stay hired.
If you believe your potential graduates are lacking the required knowledge, skills and attitudes, you need to get with those in charge and express that to them. Good leaders will listen.
As you meet with new students I am on the other end. The students I have are graduating. Since our school started the push on retention I have sent a change in the students that go through my class. Sorry , but this is a negative change. We are a technical school and some students just don't have the mechanical ability, common sense or understanding for this. Yes we can do what we can, but for some this is a waste of funds.
The students that try hard and want to learn, yes we need to try our best to help with any problems, and keep them in school.
Thanks, Kenny.
We have more creditibility when we can demonstrate to students that we are a "similar other." They can see that we have been where they are and that we can help them get to where they want to be because we have done it.
If I may give you one bit of advice it would be to give them an example of a time in your life that you failed miserably. I tend to have a heavy dose of comedic education in my Career Development class, however it is very effective to show that not only are you human, but that you can openly talk about something that was painful to you. I hope you do fantastic!!!!!
Hi Cheri! How exciting!! This class sounds like a joy to teach and a gift to the students. You mentioned key elements of a students success in sharing vital information for personal and professional success and developing a relationship with each student.
I am certain your hope for great outcomes will come true!
Lori
Cheri, I teach career development at my school as well. I totally agree that this class offers a golden opportunity to get to know students personally and apply the 3 M's (model, mentor, and monitoring). I love this class!
Cheri,
Many schools offer a similar course. The most effective schools make sure that the language of the course and the concepts of the course permeate into other courses and throughout the campus. Many folks have had good success by encouraging other departments to serve as "guest speakers" to present specific units covered in the class. This builds a sense of community that is essential to student and college success.