Dr. Susan Schulz

Hi Christopher You were assigned a huge task. Planning takes looking at where your school is now, the future vision - as in the next five years, and the steps to get there. You are lucky because you have the opportunity to learn the details of your school and the dreams of everyone there. Once you capture the information through meetings, research, and just talking with everyone, you'll be able to draft a plan with tasks, timetables,deadlines, budget, and most important - obstacles and opportunities. Good luck, Susan

You brought out a great point, Nora. Every department in a school does need to know what the other department is doing. Students expect answers from anyone they ask at a school and don't necessarily know that things are organized by departments. As for placement, that tells me that the placement department needs to issue weekly reports about services being offered, job openings, and graduate success. Get everyone at your school aware of your services and on your team! Thanks, Susan

Yes. Nora. We agree that placement services need to start the first day of class! There are practical reasons since there are so many skills that need to be learned. There are retention reasons - when the student knows there are job opportunities waiting for them it helps to keep them in class. And there are placement reasons - the grad needs the mindset, confidence, and skills to implement a succeessful job search campaign. Thanks, Susan

Hi Gheorghe The poster and brochures sound great. Have you ever put any staff there to talk with people and answer questions? The Rotary Club activity sounds great. Have you tracked the response after this event? Of course response can occur for months afterwards. Makes us think to ask all leads how they heard about the school. Many schools are attempting to use the online social networking websites. Best to get some high school students to work with you on that project. No kidding. Thanks, Susan

Hi Mary This is a great question. We feel appreciation should be in the form of ongoing communication with the externship employer. Ask how things are going, what could be improved, how the experience can provide greater benefits to all involved. Make it a win-win relationship. Of course the employers can be recognized by certificates of appreciation, public commendation, and publicizing the efforts of the employer. Thanks, Susan

Hi Judiann It is true that there is just so much time and talent available in a small school. That's why it is important to take the time to set up a placement department that can be run with the help of administrative staff. It does take that upfront time, however. Which I'm sure is hard to find. But once you start putting placement strategies in place and see the impact throughout your school, you will see the value and allocate more time. Good luck, Susan

Good points, George. Many times students really don't know what they are doing in the career training they signed up for. If you have more than one program you might watch for the struggling student who belongs in a different trainng. Placement skills training, in our opinion, is an every day occurence. You have started a list of good tools to use. Yes, involve employers, grads, everyone to provide skills and information to the student about to enter the workforce - a scary thing for most. Thanks, Susan

Good idea George. Not sure what you mean by aggressive curriculum. If you mean comprehensive and flexible to meet the changing work force needs, that's great. Reminder to be sure any changes meet regulatory board approvals. You seem to be a path to a uniform curriculum model or template. That's great. Be sure you review to be sure it meets students' learning styles and that the classroom experience is fun, interactive, and uses the technology skills of your students. Thanks, Susan

Thanks John, You have totally outlined how a budget can drive a school and measure results. Now the question is, how to get staff to understand the budget so they each do their part in getting results. Some school owners give the budget to each department and let the directors figure out how to reach goals. Others invite directors to participate in setting the budget. Best wishes, Susan

Hi John and Chad We encourage schools to hire instructors who also work in the field - industry professionals. Then the instructors can talk first hand about the job and workplace. We also encourage schools to bring in professionals from each industry to be on hand to coach students, tell them what working is really like, and talk about the job requirements and how to be successful. Thanks for the ideas, Susan