Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Really great, Jay. Placement can make a difference in all areas of the school. Happy students do refer students and there's nothing like free marketing of word of mouth. The more employers know about your school the more likely they will send students and let you know about job openings - particularly in difficult economic times. If you need externship placement then keeping in touch with employers helps you find out about openings. You can also talk with externship sites to determine how likely it is they will hire the extern. There's nothing like filling jobs at the extern site.… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Sounds like students have no excuse and have every opportunity to develop employment skills. We think that these soft skills should be required for every student. Do you have any special alumni programs? Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Yes, David. We agree and call it community outreach. Career services people must be out in the communinty visiting employers and also attending civic and professional meetings to get the word out about what your school does. Then the contacts at each company need to be entered into some kind of CRM and followed on a regular basis. Yes, the employer is the ultimate customer - along with students. Thanks

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Thanks David. Sounds like you wrote the same book we did. Yes, Career Services can make a major difference on enrollments, retention, and placement. High graduation and placement rates certainly do impact on referral and thus enrollment. We promote community outreach, which is easier when happily placed grads can introduce you to the right people at each company. It takes time and effort and follow up to develop and maintain employer relationships. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Hi David, Thanks for sharing what you do in career services. Sounds great. We like the idea of introducing your team to students at time of orientation. Very important and you are right that many students could use employment skills while in school. We also agree that there needs to be a "curriculum" for employment skills training because these skills are learned over time - not just a few weeks prior to graduation. The concept of developing skills to be successful on the job is also key and few schools consider that. What about alumni services for your grads? Thanks,… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

You present great points, Erich. Relationships with employers require being out in the workplace to develop the relationships and maintain them. It's important for career services to work with employers to understand their needs and even suggest curriculum modification to meet employer needs. We feel it's all about the relationship. Be sure your school is THE resource in the community for training and staffing. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

H Erich, What you point to is the need for comprehensive employment skills training and not just a demonstration or explanation. Interviews have many ways to succeed and fail. The grad needs lots of practice and feedback over time to understand what a successful interview is and have the confidence to feel strong during the interview process. We think instructors and the entire career services staff needs to be involved throughout the students experience at school. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Good points Erich. When a student is aware of employment skills development from the start it becomes part of the whole training process - not just an activity at the end. Entering the job market is stressful and stirs a lot of fear in students. After all, they are safe and nurtured in the school environment and now have to face the uncertainties of job interview evaluations, a strange work environment, and more. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Sounds great, Maureen. Makes us think about other types of programs where a real work environment can be similated in the classroom. Thanks for the information. Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

You're right Eric - that placement info is very important during the admissions process. That's why we feel that people in career services need to have an on-going dialogue with admissions. Provide reps with information, facts about the career, job placement success, and more. You might work with admissions and see if you can be available to make a brief presentation during interviews, answer questions, and describe how career services is part of the student's training. Your presentation can be called "You're Hired." That will certainly get attention! Thanks, Susan