Interest
I feel it is important for a prospective student to take a short survey to find out what interests them. This would be a useful tool for the admissions represetative to better assess and assistance to prospect into the appropriate field. I also believe the admissions representatives need to have some understanding into the job fields.
Ted,
Have you seen an impact on retention or student engagement due to the job shadowing? Congratulations on putting this in place.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I have set up job shadowing at local car dealerships to give the students a sense of what it's like to work in a shop environment. I some cases they are allowed to do some supervised inspections on customers cars.
Robert,
If you are seeing one program getting many more enrollments then another it might be wise to understand why.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I think all of the field should be represented, not just the part they think will get enrollments. So many get part of the way through the program and realize they didnt know what they were really getting into.
I to think the admissions should have a better understanding of the indistry
Melvin,
Perhaps you should ask who respects science? Many students do not have an understanding of how important math or science might be in their future career. It was not presented in that context in the K-12 world.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
My experience is that admissions reps usually, but not always, are driven by meeting the numbers to enroll students in programs the students may not be suited for. Teaching Anatomy & Physiology to Surgical Tech students, I ask my group, usually small in number (7-12) as compared to Dental Hygiene (25-30) or Dental Assisting (20-25), how many really, really, like science? Usually 2-3 hands will go up. Most are interested in the social sciences or physical sciences (math). I believe that if admissions reps can match the student's interest to the program for a better fit, the student will have a higher chance of success, especially when taking the State certification exams.
William,
How many students at a time? Is there a follow up activity back in the classroom? Great idea for the students.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I have had prospective students come to the hospital and shadow me for awhile to get a sense of what I do on a daily basis.
April,
If the Admissions rep has had product knowledge about the programs that should also provide info in jobs in the field. It is important that Education provide product knowledge to the Admissions team so the programs are accurately portrayed.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
