Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Great points, Adam. Yes, successful career services offerings do require a team approach and involves the entire school. This is a great list of learning objectives. For each there needs to be tasks and activities for the student to gain the skills and confidence needed to seek a job after graduation. Your list clearly shows that employment skills and job search training is an every day task. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Hi Adam, We also believe that instructors need to talk about how what is taught in class applies to the work world. It's a way for students to envision what it is like on the job. Hands-on exercises that replicate the real world of work is essential as well as having people from the workplace visit the class and talk about what it is like on the job. We think this should be a daily occurence. Students need to link up what they are learning to why they are learning and how their knowledge and skills will be used when… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

Hi Adam, We also agree that career services and employment skill and confidence building starts very early. And the focus on the job search has to be consistent and persistent throughout the student's experience at school. Usually students who enroll in career schools have limited prior experience. So it is important to keep them focused on their current studies and expectations and keep them motivated to stay in school and graduate. And the sense of urgency is that they seek employment as soon as possible. Thanks for the tips. Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

Hi Adam, This is a very valuable message. Can you tell us how you specifically apply it to career services, employment skill building, and community and employer outreach. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

That's a good thing to watch, Karin. City codes. You might have to be creative in getting some kind of signage visible to the public. Perhaps a school sign is allowed with the types of courses or some other information about what the school offers. Thanks for the reminder, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Your School’s Publicity and Public Relations

HI Karin, Sounds like you have a lot of low cost publicity opportunities. If you are on a main road have you thought about signs and banners? You can put up signs to announce class start dates, new programs, open houses, and more. You might be able to have people stand at the roadside with signs. It may sound silly, but done effectively with a professional sign, it does get results. It tells people that a school is located there. Be sure your staff is very welcoming. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

HI Andrea Great that you and your staff visit the classrooms. Hopefully the instructors get some ideas about talking up the job search process and what it is like on the job.Your Career Services Week sounds great. We are wondering how you can incorporate some of the activities on a day by day or at least once a week basis. Employment and job search skills take more than a week to develop. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Hi Andrea Great that your Career Services Department has made the big time at your school. It is amazing how the department impacts on every other facet of the organization. Admissions can relate what services are offered through Career Services. The admissions staff can also talk with more informed knowledge about the industry for which the school trains, where grads work, salary ranges, and more. Instructors can promote Career Services offerings and also understand how important it is to talk about what it's like on the job. Hopefully you can keep track of improved student retention, graduation, and success as… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Strategic Plan

Great points, Nadine. It is effective when you have your entire team involved in planning. Usually staff has great ideas or solutions to problems. Since you have instructor/student ratios planned it makes it easy to know when new instructors will be needed. Hopefully you have a file of qualified and ready and available teachers. And great that you have a fiscal team to hold everyone accountable. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Can a Realistic Budget Affect Growth?

Thanks Nadine. You've provided the secret to successful planning and results. Be realistic and be sure your goals are attainable. School owners often balk at thinking ahead 5 years. But it's essential because it tells everyone you expect to be around for a long time. Year 5 doesn't have to be fleshed out in detail. However, knowing if you want to be a college in 5 years, for example, helps to determine the steps and timelines to get there during the 4 years leading up to the 5th. Thanks, Susan