Celebrity And Professional Guest Speakers
I want to know the feedback on booking Professional and Celebrity guest speakers. No only for a promotional tool but for motivation and successstories. Does it have to be a past alumni or can it be someone outside the school? What resources are available to book a professional on to come in and speak?
James
James, Your best celebrities are your successful grads. They will be approachable and ready to talk with students about what to expect in the job market. Other "celebrities" are the employers who hire your students. Ask them to visit your school to talk about what they are looking for in a new hire. Ask them to talk about their industries. The more you connect with employers the more likely you are to locate "famous" people in the fields for which you teach. Celebrities and professional guest speakers only make one appearance. Your employers and grads will be around for a long time and will make repeat performances if you ask them.
Best wishes
Susan
Thanks, that makes alot of seance. I will do that.
James
We started something new at our campus last year, Program Day. In Career Srevices we run lists of the names of graduates from the past few years and give the lists to the Program Directors of all the majors. We, along with the Program Directors decide a graduate for each program that we would like to come back and talk about their success stories since they graduated from our school. We hold this for about an hour over an extended lunch period and invite the alumni back for lunch and theh they speak for about a half hour and then allow students to ask them questions. Each current student must attend the speech designated for their major. This went over extremely well with the faculty and the students. It is also an honor for school alumni to be asked to come back and speak at their college as a guest speaker.
We started something new at our campus last year, Program Day. In Career Srevices we run lists of the names of graduates from the past few years and give the lists to the Program Directors of all the majors. We, along with the Program Directors decide a graduate for each program that we would like to come back and talk about their success stories since they graduated from our school. We hold this for about an hour over an extended lunch period and invite the alumni back for lunch and theh they speak for about a half hour and then allow students to ask them questions. Each current student must attend the speech designated for their major. This went over extremely well with the faculty and the students. It is also an honor for school alumni to be asked to come back and speak at their college as a guest speaker.
Wow Janelle, You provided us all with a great concept. Looks like all we have to do is implement. And of course measure all the possible results. How often does this happen? Do you send out press releases and let all grads and alumni know about the event? Lots of free publicity opportunities. Best wishes, Susan
Dr. Schulz,
I was wondering how you feel about "motivational speakers." I know gentlemen who has run a few technical schools and is a motivational speaker as well. His speaking events are formatted for students who attend proprietary schools. They are amazing and very beneficial. They are not about placement specifically but the reason why they are here and how to stay on track so they can improve their life through the completion of school. Would you look at this an "official" guest speaker?
Gina C.
Hi Gina
Interesting question. I'm not sure the word "official" is what is the driving force. Maybe the measurements are - will leads, students, grads, employers, etc. get anything from this speaker? Will it impact in some way on retention or placement or student and staff success and satisfaction? Is the speaker newsworthy - can you send releases before and after? Can you use the publicity on an on-going basis? Hope this gives you some food for thought. Best wishes, Susan
Helpful..Thanks.
Yes, his speaking efforts are focused on retention. The staff and studetns love it and leave feeling motivated.
That's great Gina. Now you might find other speakers. Invite lots of people. It's a way to draw people into the school. And you might have instructors follow up the talk by having class discussions and exercises. Keep up the great work, Susan
Maybe you can ask a manager at some of your extern/internship affiliates to come and speak to your students from a real world prospective. I also like the idea of guest speakers that are successful graduates speaking to current students which could help retention by keeping the student focused on the ultimate goal, which is a great career. Drew
HI Drew
Great ideas for where to get speakers. You just never know who will be a great speaker. Could be your grads or even happy and successful currently enrolled students. Or parents or family members of students and grads. There are employers who would love to send their staff to talk and motivate your students. Or motivational speakers. You just have to keep your eyes open to who is in your community. And remember to send announcements out before and news items after. Good luck, Susan
