Identifying the potential students' goals and objectives is one of the most important steps in the enrollment process. But the trust relationship is the number one. Once you've earned that trust by listening (and not judging), communication gets easier because the walls come down and the students open up. You can learn a lot of where the students have struggled and what they hope to accomplish. Providing information of your campus and what it offers helps the student reach a decision of whether it's a good match. If you can help the student reach a decision, you're halfway home. Now, are they ready? Be ready to address the obstacles. As advisor, we should provide a clear path for our students. Sometimes it is the path for your students and sometimes it's not but either way, you've helped the student and you did your job. In the happy endings, we were a good match but there are times when some obstacles (like employment bars) can't be overcome.
