Students without a license
We currently have several graduates that do not have driver's licenses or have any intention of getting them soon. It is not that these students have suspended licenses and will be getting them back, they do not have one at all. We live in a very rural area without public transportation and many of our gradautes travel outside of the immeadiate area for employment. What are some suggestions to help us motivate these students to open up their employment options by getting their driver's licenses?
I believe this is a reasonable goal that must be stressed as early as the admission and orientation process, so that students are not surprised and limited to a unrealistic time to accomplish this goal. Perhaps with amble notice the students know arrangements must be made well in advance.
HI Ruth
Interesting situation. We wonder how many schools have students with no drivers license. Of course a license is no guarantee that the grad will be able to have access to a car. Takes some creative thinking and hopefully a good bus service. And someone willing to get into the van business. Best wishes
Susan
Hopefully, this doesn't sound harsh, but they should start using a bike. Good for health and widening the job search area. It may be that some have so little money that they can't envision the purchase of a car, buying gas, maintaining, etc.
They need to dream to achieve. Promote taking baby steps to start on the path to their career goals. When the money/satisfaction starts registering, they will be on their way.
Hi Bruce, Good point about the bike and assisting students to identify their dreams and ways to achieve them. There are always limitations in life. It's overcoming them that marks the successful person. Many of our students need a bit more extra coaching in this area - to see that there need not be limitations. That there is a solution for everything. Perhaps not a big solution but certainly steps to achieving it. It takes a can-do mindset. Not sure how that is "taught." Best wishes, Susan
Hi Janelle,
My suggestion is to make it an admissions requirement.
Berenisa, Good point. Admissions requirements really must be in line with requirements for seeking a job. You can't enroll a student whose background precludes him/her from seeking employment in that particular field. Thanks, Susan
We have some of the same issues but not in a rural area, in a big city. Most of the students use public transportation and the biggest issue is no money for the bus fair. Some of the license have been suspended and some just have never had one.We try to help the students get to know other students that might live in their area that they could share rides with. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't.
Hi Gerardo, Interesting challenge. The good news is that if you connect students with each other for ride sharing, they also have the opportunity to bond in other ways. They might start to work on homework together and share their problems and solutions. The more students connect the more likely they will stay in school. Thanks, Susan
