Dr. Susan Schulz

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HI Christine Thanks for sharing information about your relationships with staffing agencies. Can you tell us how you developed the relationships in the first place? How to retain them? Record keeping? Pitfalls? Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Assess your placement services...

Hi Betty Sue Thanks for the clarification of the survivor job. Sounds like a part time student job to meet daily expenses. Interesting situation about students who drop out because the job turns out to be great. In some studies about retention I have seen the definition of retention and completion questioned. Is it about staying in school until the student graduates and gets a degree? Or is it about getting the training desired and completing when ready - which might be when getting a job and not the degree. Since schools are forced to count grads and placements for… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Initiating student projects...

Hi Todd Sounds like good and bad news. The good news is that your response rate is increasing. The other news is that it is such a challenge to get the information. Do I understand that you collect data as of 90 days after graduation? Do you lose people because of their change of address or email during that time? What about contacting grads prior to 90 days. What about making all grads members of an alumni association at no charge for the first year and give them incentives to remain. They might be more available to complete a survey.… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Surveys...

Hi Wendy Great that you are doing a thorough job following up grads. Do you discover areas that need improvement in the interview process? Are there additional skills you could be teaching to improve success in getting a job? I like the idea of following up alumni and their employers. There is a lot of information to get that can improve programs and ensure that course objectives meet the needs of the workplace. Keeping in touch with employers is a way to anticipate future training needs. Your school could be ahead of the game by offering programs that will be… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Surveys...

Hi Todd Your comments point to the fact that getting survey response from grads takes work and constant follow up. The information is so valuable it is worth it. Can you tell us more about how you evaluate student work ethic? What have you discovered? What has been changed in the curriculum or your offerings to improve new employee work ethic? What areas do you focus on? Thanks, Best wishes, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Surveys...

Hi Kim While there are others at your school also enrolled in the same MaxK course you still have different perspectives on what is happening and also unique ideas to make the strategies and results better. Your 90 day surveys sound great. Are you doing anything to help the grad with employment retention and advancement? Re your very in-depth interview with the employer, what do you do with the information gathered? Do you discuss curriculum? equipment? learning materials? Best wishes Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Initiating student projects...

HI Todd You seem to be in a situation similar to Kim. I think that information gathering can begin with just a handful of students. It will give you time to refine your survey instruments and develop ways to measure long-term results. So take advantage of the small number of students you have now. You may also be able to interview them in person to get more information than what can be obtained on a survey form. Best wishes susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Initiating student projects...

Hi Kim Since you are just starting out you have the opportunity to put good systems in place including ways to implement surveys. Any information can be useful as you give time a chance to build up some long term results.You said that some grads have been by to see you and appear ready for work. How did you assess that? What about the people who didn't stop by? Why didn't they? How well prepared are they for the work force? Just some thoughts to consider as you refine your career services department. Best wishes, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

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Employer presentations...

Hi Wendy Tracking info and compiling results is a challenge but vital to department success. It's best to get away from manual data collection as soon as possible. You could use ACCESS as it is an easy database to use. I am at the Career College Association conference. I'll check for some suitable software among the exhibitors. Problem is most software for schools is very complex. That's why we suggest ACCESS or similiar. Best wishes, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Assess your placement services...

HI Betty Interesting response. I'm not sure I understand the term "survivor type jobs." Can you explain? I like the idea that placement skills are required. You have mentioned a challenging point. What happens when the student finds a job prior to graduation. The school is measured on retention and job placement. But maybe the student reaches his/her goal when getting a job he/she likes. Interesting dilemma. Best wishes, Susan