Many programs emphasize college-to-career paths of study by offering classes that help students obtain the types of certifications that will aid in making them more attractive to employers upon graduation. Some of these programs include experience-based internships as part of their curriculum.
When schools establish and maintain active partnerships with community businesses, they co-develop their programs to facilitate school-to-work transitions.
For example, my Health Care Careers students learned basic pre-hospital care skills, practiced disaster response skills, learned to take and report vital signs, listened to guest speakers representing a range of disciplines related to health care, prepared resumes, cover letters, statements of intent or interest, and practiced interview skills for one-on-one interviews as well as group interviews. After doing those things, they went on to serve between 100 and 200 hours of internships with hospitals and clinics throughout our community and, because of the number of students involved, beyond our community.
When considering colleges and universities, it is useful to know that they align their programs with the needs of the companies and organizations that provide their research grants or those that lead their industry sectors. Examining their hiring practices as well as their classified advertising reveals the skills and knowledge base that those people seek in their candidates. That, in turn, informs the curriculum offerings those institutions provide their students.
LEARN HOW TO LEARN
what they need to do to get an answer. No one cares what the value of “e” is in mathematics; just where can you find the answer and know what the magnitude is so you can tell when the answer you get is way off.
What were the dates for the bubonic plague? You know where to look it up.
Colleges and universities teach GENERAL KNOWLEDGE FOR SPECIFIC FIELDS, not details for a specific job.
Almost every job I have held requires specific knowledge to do the job efficiently. Teaching that knowledge is NOT the job of a school – a school should teach mathematics, how to read, and basic “common” knowledge. An employer expects a “learning curve” for each employee to be able to do the job; the shorter the time for an employee, the better.
If a graduate has the impression they are fantastic and they already know what they need to know to do the job, that is a PERSONAL PROBLEM. (When you start a new job, didn’t someone tell you where the restroom is located? So you already knew everything you needed? I’m not convinced.)
A degree is a “piece of paper” to indicate you SHOULD be able to handle certain areas – call it “common knowledge, for the job”. But the employer isn’t hiring a “piece of paper”, YOU need to SELL YOUR ABILITIES to the employer. Tell the employer you realize you will need to learn SPECIFIC THINGS regarding the job, and that you are a “quick learner”.
It would be nice if people took a class entitled, “How to get a job”. As far as I know, there is no class like that. School is to teach people how to learn, not “spoon-feed” information how to act properly to get a job.
