Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Great idea, Joanna. It's shocking how little students know about many things. But that is why they are in school and why career schools have to offer a depth and breadth of placement services. We like the idea of students doing research that is helpful to others and builds urls. Why not have a contest to see who can come up with the best list? And let's keep in mind that internet may not always be the best way to find employment. So maybe a contest for a list of other job resrouces in your community. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Good points. A school needs to work as a team for the benefit of the student. Every other department needs to know what is going on in career services and ensure that students understand the services too. We think that a career services person should be part of the admissions team. And career services should also work closely with instructors. Students need to see career services as a vital part of their educaion. Best wishes, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Good points Ariel. Students enter school with a range of work experience and confidence. What is common is that all students need to keep their eyes on the goal - getting a job. This takes a lot of effort day by day. One way is to have employers talk about a day at work, mock interviews, mentoring, job shadowing and instructors weaving in how skills and knowledge are used on the job. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

These are all great skills to teach students in preparation for their job searches. We think these kinds of tasks should be required. Show that acquiring employment skills is as important as skills needed for the job. And keep in mind that in addition to skills, grads need confidence. That takes time to build. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Sounds like you are talking about community outreach, Ariel. We think it is critical to reach out to employers and prospective employers. Get feedback about how work ready your students are. What needs to be changed in your curriulum? How can you customize courses to the needs of the workplace? It is about research and also relationship development and maintaining. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

HI Shan Good idea. Happy grads are a great source of leads. If you have a graduation invite all the friends and relatives of the graduate. You'll have more people seeing first hand what you offer. If not Petsmart, then maybe other pet stores - large and small. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

Hi Shan It's about patience, persistence, evaluation, change, creativity. Ask your students and grads where there are more students. You'll be amazed by their ideas. Also have your working grads talk about what they are doing. Their enthusiasm will provide a lot of motivation to enroll. You might also ask your local petsmart type stores if you can give free presentations about dog grooming and other interesting topics to pet owners. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

Hi Shan Seems like you are doing a lot of great community outreach. A question might be - can you participate in the same events and do things differently to get results? Can you participate in other events and get more results? People don't realize the $$ oppportunities as a pet groomer. And that it is possible to have ones own business very easily and with not a lot of capital investment. Perhaps at career fairs you can focus on the job and income potential as a pet groomer. Have some happy grads help you out. Great that you are… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

We also agree, Christina, that there has to be a focused effort to reach out to the community. Actually we think that partnerships need to be formed with the school and hiring companies functioning as teams. You train people to be workready at local companies. The companies need to be clear abuot what a workready employee looks like. Your programs include very specific courses. But companies may still want some kind of customization. Also we feel it is important that the career services department be run with the similar marketing strategies as admissions. With admissions your goal is qualified leads… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

These are great strategies. Very good to have checklists so students and grads can check off what skills they have and include them in their resumes. There are also software programs you could probably develop that automatically construct resumes and adds the skills each time the student completes a course. The transferable skills checklist is also innovative.And can broaden the breadth of experience shown on the resume. Softskills are also important and demonstrate the ability to be a team player and also leadership skills. Thanks for the ideas. Susan