Networking is key
I believe that the current economy will not recover for some time. This requires career services departments to work smarter, not harder. Networking in the community is vital to the success of a department. What networking have you done to increase placement?
These are good points and great question. We also agree that the current economy should never be an excuse for not placing graduates. Placement and Career Services do have to do things differently. For example, we believe in spending a lot of time on community outreach. Developing and maintaining relationships with hiring decision makers is a must. The goal is to learn about jobs before they are posted and to be seen as THE resource for qualified employees. It takes learning what each company wants in the new hire so your grads are work ready on day one. Another form of networking is via an Alumni Association. Alumni can refer students, tell you who the hiring decision makers are at their work place, and help with career training. Bottom line if you do the same old thing, don't be surprised if you get the same old results. Thanks, Susan
I believe the same way and is the way to have a good placement dept. One good networking is like open school day so employers can see what you offert and the quality student you have.
Thanks Walter. Actually we feel that networking takes a plan, implementation of the plan, and then measurement of success to determine how to network better. It takes first developing the relationship and then maintaining it in person, by mail, email, etc. It takes joining organizations and determining the many ways members can learn about your school. Networking takes full-fledged community outreach. Lots of work and great results. Susan
I believe in keeping this subject on everyone's agenda. At every meeting we discuss it and brain storm and network with our instructors who themselves are very connected in the field in which they teach. We also give feedback and praise for any and all successes. This way of developing staff allows them to take a more personal role in the success of each of their students. Students also hear of openings and placement while in class. now when they graduate and find work they notify us of any openings within their workplace. We work hard to have the best educational product and view our success in both proper preparation and placement.
Tom,
We also agree that placement has to be on everyone's agenda. Instructors working in the field are the best because they can constantly talk about the workplace and how classroom skills are applied. Students should be thinking placement placement all during their time in school. Ideally graduates will visit classrooms and talk about the world of work. Photos of student success stories also serve as a constant reminder that going to school is about getting a job. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Great response! Between networking, researching the needs of employers and sometimes some leg work by visiting estblishments, seeing and talking to the owners and or managers so to know how to meet thier fit can be so helpful. Keeping the lines of communication open to all industry employers and companies has been so beneficial.
Janice,
You are so right. Networking is all about community outreach. That's why we feel that at least one person needs to be out in the field visiting employers, prospective employers, and alumni. Grads are very important contacts. Like everyone else, they can tell you how effective your course work is in preparing students, and what changes in curriculum need to be made and what new training might be needed. Yes, it's about being out there. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Our school trains professional makeup artists and the only way anyone in our field gets ahead is by their networking efforts.
Our challenge is usually with the few students who have entitlement issues and expect to get a job by waiting by the phone for our phone call. I do not call our Career Services Department a "placement" Department. Though we work hard to help our graduates by integrating so much marketing into our curriculum.
Students have homework projects- filling out their promotional "Road Map" which is all about networking, and creating their promotional materials before they graduate: business cards, resumes, portfolios, and web pages. Networking is the key!
Kathleen,
Interesting focus. Networking. Very true. But we think there are many other areas of career services that are important. One is Community Outreach. This is when a school representative spends most of the day visiting with employers and potential employers. The goal is to let them know about how great your grads are so you walk away with job orders. The companies also learn that your school is a source for training. Ideally they will send their employees to you for special training. Career schools are measured by placement stats. So we can't leave it entirely to our students to find jobs. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
Yes this is a great Idea. Our school has a Program Advising Committee (PAC) every 6 months. The PAC team is a group of employers in the related industry that will come and tour our facility they ensure us that our equipment, programs, and curriculum is up to date to what the work field demands. This allows our staff to brainstorm together on what to change so our students can be overly qualified to employers.
And most importantly when students see about 12-15 employers on campus at once they are excited!! Students become motivated all the more!
Bianca,
This is great, Bianca. It is great that you stay connected with employers. There are so many opportunities that result in jobs, learning about how effective your grads are, suggested changes or new programs, and more. It is important to reach out to companies that don't yet hire your grads. Develop new contacts. We think that one person should be out in the community every day reaching new companies. Thanks, Susan
Dr. Susan Schulz
