Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Exactly Nora. Can you tell us what you do at your school? We feel that the admissions reps have to talk about placement as soon as possible. That's why career services need to keep the reps informed about where grads get jobs and the services provided. Career services needs to plan workshops, seminars, activities, etc. so that the student sees placement placement placement every day. It takes a lot for the student to gain the confidence to take on the job search. It probably takes the entire time they are attending school. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

This is great James and our philosophy as well. Employment and placement skills training needs to be integrated into the curriculum and daily life of the student. The goal of going to school has to be present every day. And there are so many ways to get a student ready - just talking about what it is like on the job is one way. And then formal training in job search strategies. And we also agree that each student needs an individual placement plan. This can only happen with a menu of activities for the student to participate in. Just… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Can a Realistic Budget Affect Growth?

Yes, Christopher, budgets are very important. It's like the chicken and the egg? Which comes first? Maybe goals and ways to meet them come first. And then the budget to implement the goals and to demonstrate the outcome. If someone can show that it takes $1000 to get $50,000 worth of new student enrollments, that could be money well spent. Creativity can emerge when people have great ideas they are excited about. And then use their creativity to develop ways to economically reach them. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

You point to a lot of staffing issues, Christopher. People often don't know their jobs and how the job relates to the mission of the school and student success. And a really big problem is that students don't even realize that faculty and staff are there for them! So it takes orienting staff to be student focused. It requires being sure that staff know that the customer comes first - and that everyone is resonsible for student success, satisfaction, retention, graduation, and placement. It is the job of everyone. That takes a lot of staff training, buy in, and reinforcement.… >>>

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Who Does What? The Employee Job Description

HI Christopher. Certainly does point to the need for complete job descriptions that staff understand. We find when we evaluate job descriptions tasks we thought are getting done are not. And surprising - sometimes more than one person is performing the same task. And few are cross trained. All big problems when running a school. And all can be fixed. Takes time to audit employees. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Impact of Placement Services

Very good point, Walter. The smaller the school the more important the placement department. As you can see, we think placement is THE most important department in a school! The reality is that you have the ability to network in the community and get referrals for jobs and new students. If you do a good job your school will be seen as THE resource in your community. That's better than any paid advertisement or billboard! Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

When Do Placement Services Start?

HI Walter, You make a good point. STudents and grads need a lot of pushing and encouraging when it comes to employment skills and job search awareness. Even though they enroll to be able to get a job, the fact is that students and grads get resistant to the job search process. They need the confidence to go from student to grad to job seeker and worker. Without the confidence (developed from knowledge and practice) you'll find lots of unemployed grads! Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Bringing Placement Services to the Classroom

Hi Walter, We also believe that every instructor needs to be working in the field they are teaching. We believe the instructors need to talk about life on the job - the fun part and the challenges. It brings the world of work into the classroom and helps students understand why they are learning certain skills or theories. By the way, we think that the class sessions you refer to and interview training prior to externships aresomething that should be going on throughout the students training. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

The Employer "Short" List

HI Walter, You pointed out a few of the many benefits of the placement department. Keeping in touch with employers and potential employers is vital. They provide job openings and are a rich resource for your department. And your grads are certainly sources for learning about new job openings and externship positions. So far few schools have really developed the opportunities created by keeping in touch with grads. Career schools definitly need alumni departments. Thanks, Susan

Dr. Susan Schulz

Discussion Comment

Placement Services

Hi Christopher - You are quite right. Regardless of the changes in the economy you need to provide systematic employment skills training and job search assistance to every student with the goal that every graduate will get a job! It's a challenging task. But once you have a plan in place it can be easy to implement and to update as needed. The placement department has to be alert to job saturation in your community. There are just so many x ray tech job openings for example. If there are fewer job openings in any field you train for it… >>>