I learned about creating an effective plcement department and how their role affects more than just placement. I learned that our placement success will and can have a direct connection to increased enrollments. If we continue to do our jobs correctly, we should start to see that by having a high rate of students that have been placed will in turn increase our enrollments. I also learned that a good placement department is open full time and has one dedicated person (at least) performing the functions needed in this department. Another important item is keeping in contact with our students and graduates. Our governing bodies will be requiring some documentation from us every year and by staying connected to our graduates it will be easier to attain and get updated informatuion from them.
One way I can apply what I have learned is to create the Placement Department "Book" that has an ongoing list of current employers that have hired our graduates. I will also like to have some success stories put in there. I will add our job boards to this book as they are updated in our emails. Another item I would want added to the book would be some areas to show samples of resumes and cover letters just to get students to always be thinking about those resumes since they are so vital to their employment success.
Support for this departement would need to come from multiple places. We would need operational support from management to ensure we have all required forms for our students. We would need to ensure we have a member of our team prepared to work with students on all placement/career services items. This person will be the liasian for students to get in touch with emnployers and externship sites. At this point in time, our career services department is already working in a positive flow. I do not see myself needing anything additional at this time in order to apply some of the items discussed.
