Our placement program is in constant contact with the students. The meet on a regular basis to go over the interview process and resume building. They also bring in employers for mock interviews. They work hand and hand with each student and program director. This has been a success so far!
Suzanne,
Kudos for starting with the students at the beginning of their studies. You already know how much that has helped the student and has aided in placement. Thank you for your post.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our Career Development Advisors team is introduced at orientation. We have several slides that orient them to our student portal and the benefits of networking and preparing for their career now. We also have a site that the student can put their profile on and employees in the area can peruse the site for potential candidates. The CDA's meet with the students on day one and then have a meeting with the students around day 5 to discuss career goals/past experiences. We discuss a mandatory resume work shop and that we are here for them throughout their tenure at our institute. I think interacting with them on a regular basis has improved our student retention tremendously.
Jacqueline,
You can incorporate career objectives into the curriculum that will steer the students towards the available services.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our career services department works with students to inform them about internships and job opportunities as well as providing guidance on skills necessary to be successful after graduation. Students are aware of the services but do not always take advantage of them. We are very careful not to call the department a "placement" department because it implies that we are "placing" the students. Instead, we foster a sense of personal responsibility and provide the tools needed along the way. We even have a closet of professional attire for students who cannot afford it on their own. I think this gives the students a sense that we really care about their success.
Susan,
Yes and the communication skills repeatedly are what employers say make the difference.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Coming from a small distance liberal arts university, we did not have a placement department and we did not guarantee that the degrees completed by our students would help them obtain a particular job, but what we did communicate is that the skills they learned throughout the program were applicable to a variety of jobs. We helped our students hone their skills in reading, writing, comprehension, and analysis which are characteristics many employers look for in a student. The technical skills can be taught by in house training program, but the communication skills (both verbal and written) are foundations which appeal to many employers.
Lise,
Your school sounds like you have a good working relationship across departments and have integrated career development into the student's education throughout their studies.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Our Career Services actually conduct our new student orientation which we call Grad Prep. They also are instrumental to the students and involve themselves by teaching Career Development. they avail themselves to come into any classroom as a guest speaker to talk about resumes, dressing professionally, hygiene, anything that is needed to keep the student on the path of employment. The program directors give the Career services team new leads on jobs in the area and help with matching students with prospective employers. We work together to help the students gain employment.
Francis,
Yes, but they are career changers or looking to enhance their future opportunities.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Being that we are a non-traditional school for adult students, most of our students already have jobs. The goal of our student/career services programs is to provide professional development and advancement opportunities. We also aim to provide mentorship opportunities to our students.
Robert,
Truthful talk about the workplace allows the student to keep a focus on the end goal.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I talk to the students about what the shop looked for in hireing process,how important school and certifications are.how much more valuable you are,how much easier it is to find the best work place with this.
Jennifer,
This is as it should be. They chose the school for the career opportunity. This should be a focus from day one.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
Jamie,
This is great. Students should be encouraged to revisit their resume after each course and add one skill they mastered.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
The placement department is introduced to students when they tour the school. The department speaks to the students at orientation and speaks to the students in their freshmen seminar course during their first semester. Some of the class requirements in the freshmen seminar class require the students to complete resumes and touch on job searching and interviewing techniques.
Our placement department is involved with students from the first day they begin their program. This assures that students are continuously staying focused on job searching throughout their program, as well as keeping them motivated.
Cheryl,
Thank you for your post. This will help students prepare for their career earlier.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
My placement department reaches out to students throughout their program regarding interviewing and resume writing skills. Recently, they started presenting more detailed information about their role in New Student Orientation so students are aware of who they are right from the beginning
Suzanne,
If Placement can come in even sooner in the program it will be a big help.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
