Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

Roselyn, Good points. One way to fine tune job descriptions is to ask everyone to write their own plus for anyone they supervise. Create a template so each person can write who they report to, who they supervise, their daily, weekly, monthly tasks, etc. and any forms of assessment to determine how they are doing. When you compare it is shocking and amazing the difference in job perception. Given this exercise it is possible to create realistic job descriptions and also eliminate any duplication in task performance. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Operating With Limited Resources

Roselyn, Paper is a big issue because of cost, storage, usefulness, and of course the environment! Why not ask students how they want to receive information. Perhaps it is via texts, drop boxes, your website, or other. Great that you have experienced students mentor new students. It's a win-win for everyone. This provides a strong argument for an active Alumni Community. Alumni are a great source of extra hands and staff for every department. Sounds like you are thinking creatively to overcome the limited resources. Perhaps a report on your success can be an argument for more funds. Thanks, Susan… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Strategic Plan

Roselyn, This is a very good example of the challenges of a Plan. Hopefully school leadership will have several brainstorming sessions to determine what went wrong and how to head off similar problems in the future. There are always surprises but these seem pretty big! Cash flow is usually a major issue. What can be done next time to budget more effectively? What can be done to put marketing plans in place to meet enrollment goals? We believe in looking briefly at what went wrong but spend most time on how to be sure things go right the next time.… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Jennie, Staying in touch with employees is so great and important for success, in our opinion. It is a key to getting good information, It is dependent on how information is obtained. Your survey sounds great. We find that to get results surveys may have to be short, easy to take, and allow for comments. We also find that telephone and in person surveys garner a lot of unexpected information. The fact is that employers are your customers and have to be treated that way. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Jennie, These are great training topics. It is good to include additional training to build underlying skills. For example, a resume is more than just a list of jobs. It is also about what was learned on the job that can be used in the new work place. Creating a resume is a chance for students to see and relate what they are good at and what they know that doesn't get taught in a classroom. It is a process that simply takes time and awakening of new awarenesses. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Jennie, Yes. We also see that making career services workshops a requirement is also important. The employment skills training has to be done from the start because there is so much the student needs to learn and prepare for. In addition, confidence is a requirement and confidence takes a long time to build. It is important for everyone on staff to have a job focus state of mind. It really makes a difference to the placement numbers and obviously graduate satisfaction. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Jennie, Wow. This is so well said. Placement and Career services are so important to every school. That's why we feel that Career Services staff should be involved in the admissions process. It gets the new student to focus on getting a job from the start. Every experience the student has should be awareness and preparation for the job search process. It often takes as long as the training. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

suzet, We totally agree. We think that one person on staff should be the Community Outreach person. That person needs to be out in the community every day meeting current and potential employers. The representative needs a list of talking points such as how well your grads are doing on the job, what additional skills need to be taught so they are work ready, and job and externship openings. We agree that relationships need to be built. Employers can go to your school to participate in many many ways for mutual benefits. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

suzet, This is all great. We hope these activities are required. You brought up an interesting point about the shyer and less confident students. What should be done with them? They need a lot of extra work, practice, and a variety of activities to go on a job interview and be successful on the job. That is why we suggest a variety of required job search activities over a period of time. It takes time to develop confidence once the skills are learned. Thanks, Susan Dr. Susan Schulz

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

suzet, We totally believe that. We think that Career Services should sit with or very near the admissions department and be part of the admissions process. Applicants need to know that they are attending school to learn the skills to get a job. They should be very aware that the school has staff and assistance in the job search process that starts on the first day of school. In addition to learning career skills we feel they should be required to learn how to become job ready and conduct a personal job search campaign. Everyone on staff needs to have… >>>