I completely agree with you all. I have listened to and read each of the modules several times as there were some really great points that resonated with me and we will now use to further develop out strategies.
i believe that all of the departments are interdependent and it truly takes the entire village to help the students through, so that they are focused on working towards becoming employed. Unfortunately there are so many social and economic obstacles that chalkenge us daily so it would be great for us to share more ideas and best practice that each of us are doing at our schools.
Career Fairs must be done to further develop credibility in the department and bring awareness to the students and staff. This creates a positive "buzz" that will help career services develop their relationships with the students and creat more "touch points".
In addition to Career Fais, we host Resource Fairs and get the faculty involved by encouraging students to visit the vendors that are placed around the school on these days. Types of agencies and organizations that attend these events are as follows: ACS, SNAPS Program (Food Stamps), Housting and Development, Safe Horizon (For victims of violence and abuse), Bottomless Closet (Assists with clothing fit interviews). we may also invite a local bank and insurance company or an organization like Assurance Wireless that can help those on public assistance get phones.
Constant interaction from Career Services in the classrooms and in meetings with Favulty and Admissions.
Career Services meets with faculty to share ideas regarding resume writing and interview preparation as they also share the stage during these career development classes with the instructors.
Career Services also shares feedback from employers and externship sites so the teachers have STORIES and examples to share during their lectures. YOU MUST HAVE STORUES AND EXAMPLES.
We created various bulletin boards such as "Employed Graduates" with pics and logos of sites where they are working, "Wall of Fame" with Employer IDs of graduates who are employed. We have a "Student Success" board and just created a "Vision Board" so that students can see the path that their peers and counterparts have taken.
These are just a few examples and I can share more.
Anyone else care to chime in?
Looking forward to your replies.
Dominic
