Dr. Susan Schulz

Hi Candice, Your goal is to assist with the placement of any of your graduates. Your regulatory bodies have certain requirements you need to meet. Students enroll for the purpose of being able to seek employment. They need employment skills assistance and ideally some job leads. You are not expected to be an employment agency and cannot guarantee employment. However, you need to provide the assistance and resources. That's why you are in the school business. And your regulatory bodies will remind you of this. Best wishes, Susan

You are so right, Andrew. A key job of the career department is to build relationships with employers - those employers who already know about your school and those who don't. Then ask for their assistance and ideas. You'll be surprised how available they are to help out with everything from curriculum, equipment revie, scholarships, job workshops, mentoring, and more. Thanks, Susan

Hi Andrew, Great idea to have a career readiness class. There is so much required to get ready for the job search. We also suggest that some kind of job readiness and career preparation go on in every class. Thanks, Susan

Hi Michelle There are never any real answers but always worth looking for ways to better prepare students for externships and interviews. Poor behaviour could be purposeful or acted out because the individuals are uninformed about proper behavior and what is expected of them. So maybe longer and more comprehensive orientation and training prior to externships and job interviews. Worth a try. Best wishes, Susan

Hi Ron Great idea about videoing interviews. And then have all classmates critique. Of course there needs to be rules so no one's feelings get hurt. And then the placement personnel can critique as well. You might also want to start with videos or CDs that you can buy showing good and bad interview techniques. Best wishes, Susan

Interesting Ron. You get people from the field to buy into assisting you and the students by reminding them that they will benefit. We really believe in on-going involvement with people in the industry - particularly employers and grads who are successful on the job. This makes the work experience very real for the student and helps to take the fear out of looking for a job. Best wishes, Susan

Hi Ron Orientation is a great time to introduce lots of information about what going to school will be like. But it's an exciting day and most things are quickly forgotten. So it is always a good idea to repeat the information throughout the program. Mock interviews are important. We suggest inviting real employers to handle the interviews and then critique them and tell what they are looking for during an interview. Best wishes, Susan

Hi Ronald Your described a great way to use surveys. There is lots of information that can be gathered and also used to make changes and keep people up to date. So many schools put the surveys in a drawer! Surveys are also a way to gain comments and testimonials. Also a way to start networking with employers and grads for other opportunities. Best wishes, Susan

Hi Kate You bring up a good point about those graduates who don't plan to seek a job but rather work on their own, set up their own business, or work freelance. This applies to many professions in addition to massage therapy. So perhaps schools should plan on employment training that includes entrepreneur skills, how to set up your own business, marketing, planning, budgeting, and more. And bring in grads who have been successful in working on their own. Also it will be necessary to structure grad surveys that include questions about working on ones own.Best wishes, Susan