Communication is key in the placement process. Students and employers should know what you are doing and why it is important for them to provide you with the information. Having a process to collect the data is important. You do not want to have the data compromised. You also need to pay close attention to detail when transferring data between systems.

Calculating placement rates can be done in several ways. Each institution needs to have a documented process on how the rate is calculated. This can ensure consistency between departments and individuals. The survey is the least reliable source.

This session has given me several items to think about.

• How do Universities actually use employment data in their decisions? Are they offering programs and majors in fields where students can be employed after graduation. Should some programs/majors be re-vamped or discontinued?
• Are students going to be able to pay back the student loans they take out to secure their education? Will it be a financial hardship? Will their salaries be high enough to cover their lifestyle?
• Are people pursuing jobs they are passionate about or are they pursuing a job because of a paycheck.

I really didn't know much about Linkedln when I first started.  I went to a quick presentation last year and thought it would be good to learn how to use.  The CTE school I work for has a large group of students who are fishermen  So I thought this would be something they could use.

In distance coaching, it is especially important to apply the principles outlined in the module to build rapport with students. Without the benefit of face-to-face interaction and nonverbal cues, coaches must be intentional in demonstrating active listening and affirming students’ feelings to ensure they feel supported and understood.

Effective coaching goes beyond simply providing students with answers or resources; it involves guiding students to discover solutions within themselves. This approach empowers students to build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and take ownership of their growth.

Active listening involves demonstrating empathy for students’ situations and experiences. By incorporating unconditional positive regard, you can foster a supportive relationship that helps students feel genuinely heard and understood.

From this module, I learned that one of the most important aspects of the coaching relationship is building rapport with students so they feel genuinely connected and supported. Applying Carl Rogers’ human-centered approach, particularly the principle of unconditional positive regard, helps ensure that students feel heard, respected, and effectively guided.

Managing job orders involves much more than simply sending a lot of resumes—it requires matching candidates, preparing candidates, following up consistently, and maintaining communication with employers. There is a lot of time and preparation involved in the process to nurture relationships and meet the needs of our students and business partners. 

Documenting employer contact is something that I realize I need to work on. Not only will it help me remember important information, it will also help with being more organized. I like the idea of having a form to complete and adding notes about each contact. I also found the techniques to deal with objections helpful. This is not something I've been particularly good at, so these strategies help provide some guidelines to follow.