Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Yes, Linea. We also agree that the right career services offerings do increase retention and enrollment. Students are motivated to stay in school and attend class, when they are clear about the kinds of jobs they can get. And certainly if the word is out that grads do get jobs, admissions will see an increase in referrals. That's why it is important for career services to offer a variety of services to students and to stay in touch with the entire school about your offerings and success. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Hi Linda, We also believe that the success of a career services department depends on employer relationships. That's why we encourage schools to reach out to employers. And also prospective employers. Take an interest in their job needs. What does an ideal new hire look like? What does the person need to know and what skills do they need? What is specific to their company that you might be able to teach? Then it is important to bring back this information to the director of education to be sure curriculum can be modified to include the new learning objectives. Thanks,… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Yes, Linea. We also think that placement services should start when the student enrolls. And we also think that admissions should carefully explain the career services offered at your school. How does the new student learn about your placement services and what are the services for the new student? How do you work with other departments and also with your faculty to ensure that students know all about the services that are offered to them? Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Kevin, What a great idea - VIE. And great that you have employers visit your campus. Having the employers see your campus first hand is a great way to encourage them to think of your grads when seeking new hires. What a great idea to give a gift and also take photos. The photos can become a job success board that can be set up in admissions and other places in the school. Always a good idea to do whatever you can to be sure students see and understand their employment potential. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Assess your placement services...

Hi Lucy, Sounds like a great idea to be working with instructors. We like the idea of workshops and presentations on different aspects of employment readiness and the job search process. Sounds like you anticipate all the details that are usually not covered, like employer hot buttons. By staying in touch with employers it is possible to learn what their pet peeves are and what they like to see in a candidate - what the magic is that encourages the employer to hire the grad. Great that you are measuring results too. Formal and informal surveys are a great way… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Lesli, We also believe that everything that happens in the Placement department does make a difference to all other departments. Most certainly all admissions reps need to know all the services Placement offers. It's helpful to let admissions know about every successful job placement, where the grad works, what they are doing. Ideally you can set up a graduate success board within the admissions department. In that way students visiting the school will clearly see the results of their studies. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Hi Lesli Great that you contact students re placement services as soon as they enroll. True you can't promise employment, but you can give students tools and confidence so they have a successful job search. We also believe that a school needs to line up a list of job openings and manage the job search process. A school is measured by student success and employemnt. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Hi Karen, Good point. Yes, your next job openings are right with the companies that have already hired your grads. That's why it is important that your programs train students to be work ready the day they graduate. And why it is important to develop and maintain relationships with your employers. Using the same techniques you can reach out to companies that don't employ your grads yet. Tell them why it's to their benefit!, Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Hi Tiffany, Interesting concept. Good point that students need skills to be effective but probably not a good idea to wait until the end of their program to learn them. You are right, that skills build over time and there is a readiness factor to consider. We'll stick with our belief that employment skills take a while to learn and should start at the time of the first day of school. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

Very good observation, Margaret. It is true that in a small school one person might hold two positions. Also each person might have to perform all tasks. So you might start by listing all the jobs and what the person has to do regardless of who holds the position. In that way your policies and procedures and form manual will be complete and everyone will be able to be cross trained. Thanks, Susan