College Success

Every current and future member of your college community should understand that a college exists to serve its students. Therefore, the Vision, Mission and Value statements of your college or university should reflect that goal and be known to and supported by everyone.

If a college is to continually move closer to the Vision (produce students who will thrive in the outside world), many factors need to be addressed and monitored. They include the following:

1. The College’s Vision, Mission and Value Statements should accurately represent the core values of the college. These statements should then be used to guide all critical decisions and actions associated with the college.

2. College Leaders, Faculty, Staff Members and All Employees should be expected to fully support the college’s Vision, Mission and Values.

3. The College’s Reward Systems should be tied directly to the Vision, Mission and Value Statements. All college leaders, faculty, staff members and employees should be held accountable for their performance and be rewarded and recognized based on their success in achieving and supporting the college’s vision. Performance, Innovation and Changes that move the college closer to its Vision must be consistently recognized and rewarded.

4. Alumni can support their college and the Vision a variety of ways. Not all graduates can contribute financially. However, all alumni can help current students by coaching, mentoring, guiding, tutoring, inspiring and hiring them or helping them find jobs.

5. College Trustees should support the college’s Vision, Mission and Value Statements by making decisions and acting in ways that enable the college to continually move toward the fulfillment of the Vision. To do this effectively, they must be visible, active and heard.

6. Performance Assessment Instruments should be used to evaluate how well each person’s performance matches up with their job requirements and the college’s Vision, Mission and Values. Everyone must be held accountable for their efforts to support the Vision.

7. College Leaders should:

a. Demonstrate the Courage, Desire, Capability and Determination to achieve
the Vision.

b. Set The Example for others to follow.

c. Immediately deal with employee Behavior That Discourages, Punishes or
Prevents other members of the college community from supporting the Vision.

d. Establish, encourage and lead Events and Traditions that support the college’s
Vision, Mission and Values.

8. Tenure should only be granted to Professors who consistently achieve results that confirm that they are in sync with the college’s Vision, Mission and Values and are acting in the best interests of the college and its students.

9. Employment Requirements for all employment candidates (top to bottom) must include past examples of their performance and commitment to the principles described in the college’s Vision, Mission and Value Statements. College leaders will actively seek Professors, Instructors and Adjuncts who take a genuine interest in the success of their students and take pride in their ability to transfer information to students in a variety of interesting, innovative, inspiring and effective ways.

10. Union Contracts must be carefully negotiated so as not to include provisions that infringe on or restrict the college’s Vision, Mission and Values. College leaders should not agree to anything that limits the college’s ability to pursue and achieve the Vision, Mission and Values or negatively impacts the colleges ability to produce the largest number of students who can thrive in the outside world.

11. Student Organizations of all types (Sororities, Fraternities, Clubs, Teams and Groups, etc.) should be expected to respect, support and work toward the college’s Vision, Mission and Values.

12. Operating Procedures and Processes include instructions, statements and methods that make it easy for everyone in the college community to work toward the Vision, Mission and Values of the college.

13. The Personal Priorities and Goals of College Leaders, Professors, Instructors, Adjuncts, Staff Members, Employees and Students that contradict or interfere with the college’s Vision, Mission and Values should be addressed, prevented, stopped or discouraged and not rewarded or encouraged.

14. Successes That Support The Vision should be publicized and celebrated to recognize, reward and encourage behaviors that move the college closer to the Vision.

15. Adequate and Appropriate Resources should be provided so as to enable the Vision to be actively pursued by members of the college community.

The factors described above must be addressed by college leaders who hope to give their students a brighter future. In fact, colleges that disregard these factors, only address a few of them or choose to maintain the status quo are destined to see a very different future. That future includes gradual institutional stagnation, loss of quality in all areas and students who are neglected and shortchanged.

“It is ironic that so many college leaders
would choose to maintain the status quo or pursue other goals
rather than strive to create an institution that exists to serve its students.”

– Bob Roth

Changes and improvements are difficult, especially at the top of an organization. Only the most courageous and determined leaders can withstand the expected and unexpected challenges and the cries of injustice and outrage. Therefore, there is an important question for members of every college community: “What can you do to help your college better serve its students?”

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

There is a question that all college leaders should ask themselves periodically, “Why Does Our College Exist?” The answer should go something like this, “This College Exists To Serve Our Students.” Why? Without students, there is no college.

If colleges do not serve students, who are they serving? What is their purpose? Colleges that effectively serve students always listen to and address the legitimate needs and concerns of their students.

To make their purpose clear to employees, students and prospective students, some colleges publish their Vision, Mission and Value statements for all to see. Concerned college leaders authorize statements similar to the ones that follow.

Our Vision: All students will graduate with highly desirable jobs that pay well and have career potential in their fields of interest.

Our Mission: Produce knowledgeable college graduates who have proved that they have the ability to learn, think, adapt, communicate and perform effectively.

Our Values: 1) The college values students who:

- Develop and carry out a comprehensive plan that will lead them to employment
success

- Excel academically in their fields of interest

- Participate in on-campus and off-campus activities so as to accumulate a list of
accomplishments, experiences, examples and stories that will attract and impress employers

2) The college values faculty members, administrative personnel and other
employees who:

- Help to produce knowledgeable college graduates who can prove that they have
the ability to learn, think, adapt, communicate and perform effectively.

- Contribute to student employment success

What are the Vision, Mission and Value statements for your college? Do you and the other campus leaders live those statements or are they regularly ignored?

It takes strong college leaders to publish meaningful statements like these and then hold themselves and their faculty, staff members and employees accountable for continually working toward the Vision. However, that is exactly what students would like to see and hear from their leaders. Great college leaders do not maintain the status quo. They constantly strive to take their colleges and their students to a better place.

“The right leader will find the right opportunity to make things right.” — Bob Roth

Unfortunately, some college leaders have lost their way. These leaders only put their students first when it is convenient or when they are under extreme pressure to do so. That is because it is usually easier and less painful for college leaders to do little or nothing. Although change is necessary for any improvement, some leaders are unwilling to take risks. However, the best college leaders recognize the challenges and still step up to the plate and try to get a hit. They know why their colleges exist.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

College students count on college leaders to do the things that will give them the best opportunities for college and career success. Therefore, they look to college leaders to help them accomplish three things:

- Obtain a good education
- Find ways to reduce their college expenses
- Land a good job when they graduate

1 – Obtain A Good Education – Nearly every college strives for academic excellence. Each college designs courses and hires faculty that can teach and transfer the information and experiences that students can use throughout their lives. However, we all know that the quality of education varies from one college to another. Some are better than others.

Employers tend to recruit given majors based on the reputation of the school, its Professors and the performance of the students who have been hired in the past. Knowledgeable students who perform at a high level represent their college in a way that will help future graduates in that major. Of course, the reverse is also true. The most highly respected employers will recruit only at the best colleges. Are employers visiting your college to recruit students with your major?

College leaders really ought to want to do make certain that students receive the best education possible.

2 – Find Ways To Reduce Their College Expenses – Fewer and fewer students and their families can afford the rapidly escalating costs of a college education. That means that more students are in need of scholarships, awards, grants, work-study opportunities, part-time jobs and tuition reduction programs. Of course, most students also rely on college loans and credit cards. Unfortunately, many students are now leaving college owing more than $25,000, some much more.

Since a good education does not always translate into a good paying job, too many students are being saddled with a long term debt that will be a drag on their standard of living, their hopes and their dreams for many years to come. The thought of making monthly payments of $200, $300 or even more for the next 15 to 25 years is depressing, especially if they are earning far less than they had expected.

College leaders really ought to want to offer students every possible way to reduce their college costs.

3 – Land A Good Job When They Graduate – College students do not attend college strictly for the love of learning. Neither do they hope to live in poverty when they graduate. Most attend with the goal of obtaining a job that has career potential. They need that job to become independent, pay off their loans, raise a family, enjoy life and surround themselves with the things that come with financial success. Therefore, when students do not start off with good paying jobs, they start off behind the eight ball.

Unfortunately, many students do not select their college majors with a full understanding of the typical jobs and starting salaries that are likely to result and have little idea of what their potential employers need and expect. Students must understand that job search preparation is a major part of job hunting success. Without the needed knowledge, experience and practice, unprepared students will lose out to better prepared students.

College leaders really ought to want to help their students do the things that attract the best employers.

The best college leaders help their students accomplish their goals. They listen to their former students, current students, the parents of their students and the employers that hire their students. Only with that feedback can college leaders make changes to address the needs of their students.

College leaders really ought to want to help their students reach their full potential in the world around us. The best leaders take pride in doing exactly that.

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

Everyone knows that college students are having trouble finding jobs in today’s economy. However, some colleges are meeting that problem head-on and taking actions that can make things easier for their students.

When college leaders are actively helping students address these issues, everyone will:

- Learn about it through their communications
- See it as they make changes
- Recognize their leadership as others implement and support the changes
- Feel it in the energy and attitude they present
- Read about it in the College newspaper
- Hear about it on the College radio station
- Recognize their concern and commitment through their words and actions
- See it in the results that students achieve

What is it that concerned college leaders can do? The best leaders put people, systems and tools in place to:

- Make it clear that the senior year job search starts in the freshman year
- Help students prepare a personal employment plan
- Coach students throughout their college years
- Train students in every aspect of the employment process
- Explain what the best employers expect from students
- Help students understand where their majors will take them
- Teach students about the need for accomplishments beyond the classroom
- Encourage students to ask questions of their coaches and career services
- Utilize a system to help students identify employment opportunities
- Methodically prepare students for their senior year job search
- Teach students how to differentiate themselves
- Help students understand the value of job-related work experience
- Show students how to prepare an outstanding resumé
- Help students develop compelling examples and stories
- Offer opportunities to develop and practice their interviewing skills
- Help students identify a variety of employment opportunities
- Seek and implement new systems and tools to address Job Search issues

When college leaders are doing a good job of helping students address and solve their job search challenges, students will:

- Be much more effective, as they compete for employment opportunities
- Answer yes to the question, “Are your college leaders addressing your
Job Search problems?”

Unfortunately, some college leaders believe that student employment issues are merely the responsibility of their students the Career Services Office. Many think that colleges should only be concerned with providing students with a good education. Those college leaders would be wrong.

In today’s economy, a good education no longer assures students of a good job. Too many high performing college students end up underemployed or unemployed when they graduate. Reasons include:

- Right now, fewer good paying jobs exist for college graduates
- Students do not know how to prepare for and conduct an effective job search
- Students do not know how to identify employers and jobs in their fields
- Students do not understand what employers want and expect from them
- Too many students think that good grades alone will get them a job
- Students do not realize that employers will ask about accomplishments beyond
the classroom
- Some students cannot handle their classes plus a part-time job in their field
- Students do not realize that job search preparation begins in the freshman year
- Many good students do not know how to compete for the best jobs
- Most students do not think about employment until their senior year
- Many colleges do not provide the assistance and training that students need
- Few college leaders are concerned about student employment problems

“Nothing is so ordinary as the person who fails to take advantage of the opportunity to become extraordinary.” — Bob Roth

When college leaders recognize that their students are looking to them for help, truly concerned leaders respond. They seek out and utilize tools such as The Job Identification Machine™ and The Job Search Preparation System. They also provide the necessary resources to their Career Services Office and expect all employees on their campuses to help. However, without strong leadership and involvement from the top, colleges will fall short of what students need and want. That is why the best college leaders always ask two questions, “Am I doing everything possible to address the job search needs and challenges of my students?” and “Am I missing the opportunity to become extraordinary?”

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach

What is it that nearly all college seniors do? They look for a job. Unfortunately, most students are unprepared for their search.

In order to conduct an effective job search, students will need to learn many things and do many more. Learning what to do, how to do them and when to do them is called preparation. This is where colleges can help their students.

Students need to know:

- The value of a semester-by-semester employment plan
- What jobs are naturally obtained by students with their majors
- Which employers offer those jobs
- What those employers need and expect from candidates
- How someone can differentiate themselves from other students
- What job search techniques will produce the best results for them
- What kind of accomplishments employers want to learn about
- The importance of part-time and summer work experience
- Networking – How it works, Why it is important
- Why employers like examples and stories
- What employment research should students be doing and when
- What is the best resumé style and content (not one page)
- Why practice interviews pay off
- How to obtain powerful and enthusiastic references . . . and much more.

When students realize how much they need to learn about job search preparation, they begin to ask questions:

- Who is going to tell me about the things I should be doing?
- Who will explain how, when and why I should do those things?
- Will anyone help me develop a plan?
- Who is going to answer my job search questions?
- What resources are available to help me?
- Why is it so hard for me to get in to see counselors in Career Services?
- What jobs are available for students with my major?
- Where can I find out which employers hire students with my major?
- What will those employers expect to see and hear from me?
- What accomplishment will impress prospective employers?
- Can my Professors help me find a good job?
- Who will teach me about resumés and interviewing?
- What does a good sales letter look like?
- How can I get some interviewing practice?
- Are references important?
- Who should I ask to be a reference?

Since all students have their own personal issues and concerns, the possible questions are endless. This is especially true in this time when good jobs are difficult to find. However, there is one question that almost all students have:

“Is my college doing enough to help me land a good job?”

Most students enter college with great hopes for the future. They know that academic performance is an important factor in landing a good job. However, most students fail to realize how many other factors affect employment success. Colleges that do not adequately inform and prepare their students for an effective search for employment are not doing enough. In the current economy, good academic performance can no longer guarantee that students will find and land a good job.

Unfortunately, many students believe that their colleges have failed to step up and help them get prepared to find good jobs. Some ask, “Have my college leaders given up on me?” Others wonder if their college leaders are unwilling to take on the tough challenges. That leaves students who are just entering college to wonder if they will be facing the same issues or will their college leaders take a stand and do something to help them.

That is why concerned college leaders should embrace systems and tools like The Job Identification Machine™ and The Job Search Preparation System. Furthermore, they should constantly be on the lookout for other tools and systems that can help their students prepare for and conduct a much more competitive search for employment. Students at the most effective colleges never have to ask, “Is my college doing enough?”

Bob Roth
The “College & Career Success” Coach