Co-op Best Practices Roundtable

1. Co-op Best Practices Roundtable Terry Maiwurm May 17, 2012

2. Challenge: Getting Deans to share information as far as what students are going where? Share information with the Deans so they have it when they do their reports How to get employers to take students? In both instances, it is about relationships. Start going into classrooms when it is time for a career fair. Take 5 minutes to talk about what is coming up and by doing that Professors started asking me to come to classes, hold resume sessions and get involved. Professors became the advocate One-on-One relationships, connect and move within organizations Developing a value proposition for employers: What are your distinct qualities about your students, their education and what they will bring to the organization. Asking the employers when they make hiring decisions. Understanding their timeline so you know when their decisions are made. Cleveland State adjusted a career fair time to align with employer timing. Interpersonal communication: Visit, call, let them know you not just your email account. Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm

3. Communication Methods: Email is the new snail mail… Texting: 90% are read within first 4 minutes they are received To text, you need the relationship platform first. Embracing technology: To allow the texting or not? What are you texting your employers? “Have a great student looking for a co-op…” Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm

4. How do you get more students to participate in career fairs? When they are in my class, I give them extra points for going, I explain the importance for doing it. Help them know why they should be there.. what do you do when they get there. Start with the faculty. They have to allow the time to get out of the class Take attendance for your faculty, so they know their students attended Work with the faculty at the beginning of the intro to business class (even if they aren’t looking for the job, have them attend and get comfortable) – Debrief after. Student run table in the career fair: preparation station. “Don’t know what to do, come to the Student table to practice/prepare before I talk to employers” From an employer perspective, don’t just have a student sign-off on extra credit forms. There were some that required them to get background, have conversation. Informational interview: networking and practicing Choose 5 companies, get business cards and write notes of the conversation and send that employer a note afterwards Adding events around the career fair Having too many career fairs might detract from feeling like they need to attend because they are offered so often. Choose one big event Create a sense of urgency: They don’t realize the employer time frame Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm

5. How do you deal with a student that is unethical, unprofessional or a violation of their co-op terms during a co-op assignment? Delay graduation, take credits away, contracts Hold accountable to contracts Write letter of apology to employer (copy co-op/career services) otherwise they are cut off from services Block access to job board if they are a ‘no show’ or violate a policy We don’t want them interacting with employers until that is resolved “Do over” mentality Help them experience the value offering of this and how to hold accountable, take steps like employers might (i.e. services ended, no longer in program) Disney: 24 hour rule. No tolerance approach. Clarify with students it isn’t a practice round. Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm

6. What are you doing that is successful? Start with the end in mind. Tell me your goals. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Career exploration practice Culture: What type of culture do you like to work in? 3 page questionnaire that has them rate different interests. Career Orientation class to prep them before employment (usually freshman and sophomore years) Do a career builder Explore website Write first resume and put it in the database and get it approved to pass the class Provide a cover letter (this doesn’t have to be approved) 3 Informational Interviews: Going to employers and asking them about their day and what their environment is like. Interviewing skills and Info Sharing – Have former students or employers come in Mock Interview & Information Interviews: they have to write a paper Life Skills Bring alums back Business Mentors Alumni Job Club Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm

7. Those that have co-op/internships that aren’t mandatory, what’s the participation rate? Challenge is that they aren’t telling us.. approx. 30% - Mount Saint Joseph 30-50% - UC 80% are saying they’ve done something Co-op Readiness Program (University of Dayton) Biggest issues was when fall came around, everything happens quickly and a lot of the students aren’t prepared and get overwhelmed. This program is through email and start out with them preparing resumes, show them how to look up jobs, sign-up and apply through jobs through online applications and then get into the co-op meetings This is with the school of engineering. They are identifying with the program “I’m a co-op readiness student” Talk to freshman classes in the spring. This program is over the summer. Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm

8. Engaging faculty to prepare students Why do we have to beg them to get students ready for work and help develop students and get them work? ohiomeansjobs.com Discussion to be continued…. How do we align all these open jobs and our students prepared, apply and taking advantage? College is not the destination. How do we shape, mentor, develop and influence students’ mindset to create their next “destination”? Co-op Best Practices Roundtablewith the Famous.. Terry Maiwurm