Staying in touch
Following up with a student is great method to keep records of the student.
ALso, perhaps you can gain some information in the job and use it for our future students trying to get a job.
If they hire someone who worked out for them from our school then they will again. Good reviews are a good method.
Surveys, feedback from employers are all great standards.
Right Claudia. Staying in touch with students and employers reaps lots of rewards. You have the opportunity to learn a lot about how your training meets the needs of the workplace. And you can make changes in curriculum. YOu can determine grad success and satisfaction and make curriculum changes as needed. And you can make unbelievable contacts with employers for new jobs, training, and more. Thanks, Susan
Being able to keep up with the students is the best way to build a alumi base. Once you have that alumi base, the alumi can help carry your college into the future.
HI Furman, You are so right. Alumni can be such a rich resource. They can refer others and enroll in advanced classes. They can get their employers involved so you have a source for career service presentations and jobs, and on and on. Of course it's important to focus on all resources to your school in addition to alumni. Best wishes, Susan
Follow up is perharps the biggest thing we do. The students feel like we are really there for them when we do a follow-up.
Very good point, Furman. Isn't it amazing that follow up is perceived as caring and not nagging! Everyone likes attention. You never know when that follow up call made the difference in a student staying or leaving. And it's a way to identify problems. So easy, so little cost, and so much results. Thanks, Susan
I AGREE IT ALSO SHOWS THAT YOU TRULY CARE ABOUT THE SUCCESS OF YOUR STUDENTS
Hi Wilma, Staying in touch does say you care about your students. It also gives you an opportunity to learn how they are doing and what they are doing. It reminds them you are a great school to recommend to others. Your grads can also recommend other grads seeking jobs to their workplace. Mostly it is about customer care and great attention to the customer creates a win win situation for everyone. Best wishes, Susan
Yes, I totally agree. I follow up to see what I can do to help, if they have not found a job, or to hear what their experience has been so far in the position that they have ,to help other students. That's how I track my placement.Good reviews mean GREAT referals to our school.
Hi Nikeline, Yes, staying in touch with students and grads is very important. The placement department needs to start staying in touch as soon as the student begins classes. STudents need to know that learning employment and job search skills is as important as getting good grades in class. Students should get to know placement staff as early as possible and know they can turn to the placement department at any time they feel stuck. Thanks, Susan
Absolutely. Also the Alumni needs to knlow that just becasue they have graduated we haven't stopeed thinking and caring about them.
The best schools are those that function successfully as a business, and at the sametime with ethics and professioalism, genuinely care for each and every student and grad, even after they leave school.
Hi Jack, Good point about keeping in touch with grads. It's just good customer service. Also grads bring lots of opportunities. They can enroll in advanced programs at your school or in continuing education courses. They can recommend students. Let's hope they are working. So they can introduce you to their employer for more job openings and other opportunities.It is just good business. Thanks, Susan
Staying in touch is great. We tell our students from day one that we will always be here for them even if they obtain employment. If they have a change in job or just want to keep up with their skills. Keeping an open door allows both parties to give feedback.
Good point re open doors Loretta. We feel that the school has to continually reach out. Even if the door is open we find grads need to be invited in. Thanks, Susan
Outside of conducting surveys we also conduct site visits where we go to the location of graduate employment, meet with the supervisor, get feedback about students they have and students they might need in the future. And we also drop of a goody bag with our school mugs, pens, magazine, etc. so there's a constant reminder of us in their facility. This really creates a more personal bond than any email or phone call.
Thanks Lisanne, This sounds great. Are the site visits at places of employment where your grads are working? Or where they intern? Or both? Do you also ask about what additional or custom training is needed so your grads are work ready on day one? You might find some interesting ways to create unique curriculum that is needed in the workplace. thanks, Susan
