Ensure Career Services & Academics are well-integrated
I have found that when Career Services and Academics work very closely together from the beginning of a student's time with us, we get the best results. A student has a much better sense of what they need to do throughout their entire collegiate experience to be ready for the employment, so that when they get to externship, it is not a surprise.
Kathy,
"It takes a Village" or in our case, a whole school. Thank you for your post.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I totally agree that Career Services and Academics must work closer from the beginning of a student's education. In addition, admissions representatives and academics must also do the same. The three groups working together broadens the students' pool of individuals who are willing to help and offer advice in many areas. The student is exposed to importance of networking both internally and externally and will not be afraid to communicate and ask for help. These efforts will improve retention and the success of the student.
It also may be a good ideal for employers to come on campus to interview graduating student.
cynthia,
Assign students to read the job postings and associate skills they are learning to the tasks listed in the job description. Identify tasks in the description they have yet to be exposed to in the curriculum.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
I think posting job openings is a great idea. It reaffirms to the student that they will be able to get a job, and motivates them to achieve their goals!
Sheila, we don't work with admissions as a faculty staff. But we do work with graduate admissions. I believe, as a faculty instructor, we need to offer more mentoring services. I believe during their time with us, we loose their faith in us, and feel overwhelmed. This particular program did offer me some ideas to see if I can't mentor somehow.
sheila,
Sounds like your campus is working well together on retention.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
At our campus we work well starting with admissions, career services to academics. Our admissions department will help us call and reach out to students who are missing too many days in class, career services assists the academic department with calling students, advising and mentoring and with resources. Retention is a campus wide mission to see all the students succeed.
Kevin,
Perfect. This is the best scenario. Keep it up.
Ron Hansen, Ed. D.
