DOCUMENT RESUME

ED 423 010 JC 980 407

AUTHOR Smith, Shirley H.; Yorke, DeonTITLE Career and Placement Services Survey.INSTITUTION Bronx Community Coll., NY.PUB DATE 1998-10-00NOTE 22p.

PUB TYPE Reports Research (143) Tests/Questionnaires (160)EDRS PRICE MF01/PC01 Plus Postage.DESCRIPTORS Budgets; *Career Counseling; Career Guidance; *Community

Colleges; *Economic Change; Employment Services; *Futures(of Society); *Job Placement; Job Skills; Personnel Needs;Student Needs; Student Personnel Services; Surveys;*Technology; Two Year Colleges

IDENTIFIERS City University of New York Bronx Community Coll

ABSTRACTThis report contains results of a survey at Bronx Community

College (New York) that queried career placement counselors on how theirfield had changed over the past 5 years and what changes they foresaw for thefuture. Questions were open-ended and directed toward identifying problemsand shifts in career planning and placement. More than half of those whoresponded cited the introduction of new technology, such as fax machines,computerized production of resumes, computerized guidance systems, and jobbanks, as the greatest change in the field. Other changes named included agreater demand for services, an increasing diversity of the population beingserved, a change in the focus of career placement to include morecomprehensive services, and a change in the economy, which has resulted indownsizing and a reduction in college recruiting. The single greatest problemfacing the career placement field over the next several years wasoverwhelmingly thought to be budget and staffing constraints, compounded byincreased demand for services. Also mentioned was the changing structure ofjobs that demand complex and technical skills. Appended is the survey, withcharts illustrating the answers. (EMH)

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o0

BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGECOLLEGE DISCOVERY and

COUNSELING SERVICES UNITS

CAREER AND PLACEMENT SERVICES SURVEY

Shhiey H. Smith, Ph.D. - Director

Deon Yorke - Research Assistant

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIONOffice of Educational Research and ImprovementEDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION

lilla, CENTER (ERIC)

his document has been reproduced aseceived from the person or organizationoriginating it.

1

0 Minor changes have been made toimprove reproduction quality.

Points of view or opinions stated in thisdocument do not necessarily representofficial OERI position or policy.

PERMISSION TOREPRODUCE AND

DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HASBEEN GRANTED BY

S. Smith

TO THE EDUCATIONALRESOURCES

INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)1

BRONX COMMUNITY COLLEGECOLLEGE DISCOVERY and

COUNSELING SERVICES UNITS

CAREER AND PLACEMENT SERVICES SURVEY

Participants:

Marion AdeyanjuJoseph BacoleWarren BaronRoberta BarnetteCassandra BellabeEdenes DelgadoPatrick De !icesRebecca EncamacionKeith GrantMillie Herrnina

Total: 20

Shirley H. Smith, Ph.D. - Director

Deon Yorke - Research Assistant

Elena MartinDenese PurcellTerry OiurosNelson ReynosoEdwin RodriguezVictor RodriquezMichael RoggowEmilio Santa RitaErIca.King-TolerAisha Wahhab

Trends in career planning and placement for

Bronx 2000

The survey asked counselors a series of open-ended questions directed toward

identifying problems, changes, or projected changes in career planning and placement.

Specifically, counselors were asked to comment on how the field had changed over the

past five years and what changes they foresaw for the future.

Changes in career planning & placement over the past five years

More than half of those who responded cited the proliferation of technology as the

greatest change in the career planning and placement field over the past five years. They

referred to the increased used of fax machines, computerized production of resumes,

computerized guidance systems, and job banks, in particular. As one respondent put it,

the use of computerized resources and data bases puts offices without computers "way

behind."

Other changes cited frequently included the greater demand for services and the

increasing diversity of the population being served; the change in the focus of career

planning and placement -- from placement to more comprehensive career services; and

the change in the economy, which has resulted in downsizing, mergers, and a reduction in

college recruiting.

Page 1

4

Changes in college students over the past five years

The most frequently given response to the question on how students had changed

over the past five years was the increased diversity of the student body -- more Hispanic

monolingual students, more older students and career changers.

A number of counselors used the term "Generation X." Many more, while not

using the actual term, did use the descriptions that define the term: a need for personal

contact; a preference for concrete, specific information; and a preference for keeping

options open and postponing commitments.

Most counselors thought today's students were more conservative; a few thought

they were less conservative. Most thought today's students had a sense of entitlement,

that they deserved high-paying jobs and wanted them immediately, that they were not

willing to pay their dues and begin with entry-level jobs. A few counselors thought

today's students were more realistic and realized they would have to start out in entry-

level positions.

Counselors were spilt on almost all other issues. Some thought today's students

were more career-oriented; others thought they were less so. Some thought today's

students were more willing to relocate; others thought they were less so, particularly

older students with families. Some thought more students were going on to senior

colleges; others thought more students were passing up senior college to get a job right

away because of financial pressures.

Page 2

5

Changes in career planning and placement over the next several years

The greatest change that career planning and placement counselors will have to

make over the next several years is doing more with less. Some counselors are worried

about how they will maintain present programs and services as they face budget

reductions and staffing outs. For most, however, maintenance isn't the problem: They see

increase demand for their services and believe they will be held more accountable for

those services, despite budget and staffing cuts.

With fewer employers recruiting on campus, more students will be demanding

assistance from the career planning and placement office. And increasingly they will be

nontraditional students alumni, older students, career changers, monolingual Hispanic

students, part-time students, disabled students, and international students.

How will they cope with the increased work load? Most see automation as the

best way to increase their efficacy. They expect to look for alternatives to on-campus

recruitment, like career fairs, consortium events, more experiential education programs,

and more electronic recruiting through the web. Funding remains a concern; some

counselors are looking for alternate sources of funding, while others expect to begin

"charging fees" for services.

Most important aspect of career planning & placement

Counselors were asked what they considered the single most important thing

their office did or should do to assist college students in making the transition to the

world of work. Some counselors stressed some aspect more than others, but their answers

in aggregate basically amounted to a comprehensive career services program.

First, they stressed career counseling, with more than half of those specifying

one-on-one counseling. As one counselor put it, "in-depth, individualized counseling is

still the most important service we offer." Such counseling included self-assessment,

career exploration, and decision-making skills offered through a course.

Also, counselors indicated the need to provide students with "reality checks"--

helping students set realistic goals and time frames. They stressed the importance of

experiential education programs to introduce students to the realities of the workplace.

The career service they cited most frequently was teaching students the

process, strategies, and techniques of the job search. Many pointed out that these were

skills students would need throughout their working lives.

Greatest problem facing career planning and placement

The last question asked counselors what they saw as the single greatest

problem facing career planning and placement over the next several years.

Overwhelmingly they pointed to budget and staffing constraints, compounded by

increased demand for services. The next most frequently cited problem was the changing

structure of jobs that demand complex and highly technical skills. There is the clear

imperative that the college must prepare students for such complex and technical jobs.

Page 4

APPENDIXCAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT SURVEY RESULTS

1. What, in your judgment, have been the greatest changes in career planning/placement overthe past five years? Select three (3) order your choices according to the following scale:

1. = 1st greatest of changes in career planning/placement over the past five years.

2. = 2nd greatest of changes in career planning/placement over the past five years.

3. = 3rd greatest of changes in career planning/placement over the past five years.

a) Use of computer technology to assist in career counseling and placement functions.

FIRST

18(8)44%

18(8)

50%

0%

13 18(8)

SECOND

18(9)50%

18(9)

100%

53%

0%

fl 18(9)

THIRD

18(1)

18(1)

b) On-line services in the Internet to develop network of job sources.

14(5)36%

14(5)

2420k%

0%I314(5)

14(7)50%

0%

14(7)

1 4(7)

Page 5

8

14(2)14%

c) Insuring that students are reemployment ready and know how to get their own jobs.

FIRST

6(1)17%

6(1)

20%

10%

0%

131 6(1)

SECOND

6(3)50%

THIRD

6(2)33%

d) Shift of focus from placement to more comprehensive career services.

8(1)12%

8(0)0%

8(7)88%

8(1)

20%

8(0)

1CO%

8(7)

100%

8(1) El 8(0) 50% 188(7)10% 50%

096

1

0%

e) More emphasis placed on experiential learning, I.e. work experience in addition tothe classroom setting.

FIRST SECOND

4(2) 4(0)50% 0%

100%50%0%

4(2)

IB 4(2)100%50%

0%

4(0)

EA 4(0)

f) Students are interested in actual jobs, not exploring career.

6(2) 6(0)33% 0%

40%

20%

0%

6(2)

1

El 6(2)

g)

100%

50%

0%

6(0)

1

la 6(0)

THIRD

4(2)50%

4(2)

100%5096

0%1

El 4(2)

6(4)67%

6(4)

El 6(4)

ADD YOUR OWN: "Much emphasis is placed on developing resume, jobavailability seems scarce."

"More of a proactive role in engaging students in careerdevelopment/study skills and counseling."

"Diversity in the workplace in terms of ability to speak more thanone language, telecommuting, flex time, relocation, etc.,

"Courses designed to assist students with career options."

" The four participants who voiced their own opinion above, made this their fourth choice.

Page 7

1 '0

2. What, in your judgment, have been the greatest changes in college students over thepast five years? Select three (3) and rank-order your choices according to the followingscale:

1 = 1st greatest of changes in college students over the past five years.

2 = 2nd greatest of changes in college students over the past five years.

3 = 3rd greatest of changes in college students over the past five years.

a) More job-oriented: where the jobs are and what they pay.

FIRST

11(6)55%

SECOND

11(3)27%

11(3)

0%

11(6)

n

1

30%20%10%0%

11(6) M 11(3)

THIRD

11(2)18%

11(2)

20%10%0%

M 11(2)

b) More realistic: they have to pay their dues and begin in entry-level positions.

9(0) 9(5) 9(4)0% 56% 44%

100%

50%

0%

9(0)

El 9(0)100%

50%

0%

9(5)

9(5) 0%

9(4)

M 9(4)

c) Less willing to put out much effort, poor ethic.

FIRST

8(0)0%

8(0)

E38(0)

SECOND

8(2)25%

THIRD

8(6)75%

8(6)

El 8(6)

d) Possess greater self-direction regarding job readiness/placement.

4(3) 4(0)75% 0%

100%50%

0%

4(0)

RI 4(0)

4(1)25%

4(1)

4(1)

e) Demeanor, lack of maturity, lacking skills to do the job. Unrealistic salary expectations.

8(4)50%

8(4)

100%

0%13 8(4)

8(1) 8(3)12% 38%

8(3)

El 8(3)

f) Cultural diversity of our college students.

FIRST

15(6)40%

SECOND

15(8)53%

THIRD

15(1)

11315(1)

ADD YOUR OWN: "Has remained constant over the last several years.I have not seen significant changes in areas above."

"Students seem to have a greater need for employment whetherthey are self-supporting or dependent. Many have certain job skills,

"College students display a consumer attitude regarding college."

" Age of college students have increased: over 25 years group,mothers, foreign students, working students, students whosupport themselves, etc.,

"Of the four participants who voiced their own opinion, the first 3 comments werethree participants third choice and the last comment was choice 4 for the other participant.

Page 10

1 :3

3. What, in your judgment, will be the greatest change that career/placement will have tomake over the next several years? Select three (3) and rank-order your choicesaccording to the following scale:

1 = 1st greatest change that career/placement will have to make over the next severalyears.

2 = 2nd greatest change that career/placement will have to make over the next severalyears.

3 = 3rd greatest change that career/placement will have to make over the next severalyears.

a) Provide complete computerized services including terminals available for student usefor resume forwarding, resume preparation, job listings computerized for self-help,employer data base, etc.

FIRST

13(8)62%

13(8)

100%

50% -nt0%

11313(8)

SECOND

13(4)31%

THIRD

13(1)

10%w0%13(1)

b) Continue to adapt to changes in technology. Keeping up with rapidly shifting job marketsand helping students to be well prepared. It's like shooting at a moving target.

FIRST

15(5)33%

15(5)

20% tAl0%

El 15(5)

SECOND

15(6)40%

50%

0%

15(6)

E 15(6)

THIRD

15(4)27%

15(4)

El 15(4)

c) Increased accountability for actually "placing" students in jobs.

4(1)25%

4(1)

M 4(1)

4(0)0%

4(3)75%

4(3)

0 4(3)

di Bring more real jobs to campus departments. Job development will become first prioritysince work landscape is in constant change. Job banking will be the transition periodfor us.

7(0)0%

7(0)

100%50%0%

7(0)

7(2) 7(5)29% 71%

7(2)

24296%

0°kEl 7(2)

7(5)

100%0%

El 7(5)

e) More attention paid in preparing students to conduct own job search. More information toto students on career alternatives to their major area due to decreases in hiring in someareas.

14(5)36%

14(5)36%

14(4)28%

f) Work with employers; preach training and retraining; help employers to find trained students.

FIRST

5(1)20%

)

Hisli El 5(1 )

SECOND

5(2)40%

5(2)

5°0%

1

E 5(2)

THIRD

5(2)40%

50%

0%

5(2)

5(2)

g) ADD YOUR OWN: "This should commensurate with study skills workshops."

" And problem solving skills - surviving and thriving in an academicenvironment."

"Bring more professional's into the classroom's in which they willinform student first hand on what to expect on the job.(Professionals from different skills)."

* Of the two participants who voiced their own opinion above, one participant chosecomments 1 and 2 as their choices 2 and 3 and the other participant's comment wasadditional.

4. What do you consider the single most important thing your office does or should do toassist college students in making the transition to the world of work. Select three (3)and rank-order your choices according to the following scale:

1 = 1st single most important thing career/placement service should do to assist studentsin making the transition to the world of work.

2 = 2nd single most important thing career/placement should do to assist students inmaking the transition to the world of work.

3 = 3rd single most important thing career/placement service should do to assist studentsin making the transition to the world of work.

a) One-to-one, in-depth counseling which includes self-assessment career exploration,and decision-making.

FIRST

14(8)57%

SECOND

14(2)14%

14(2)

1096 7,7

016 "

RI 1 4(2)

THIRD

14(4)29%

b) Career seminar, one-credit course which includes self-assessment, resumes, interviewing,job search, required of undecided students.

FIRST SECOND

11(3)27%

30%

10%

10%

11(7)64%

11(7)

c) Stress part-time employment and co-op to introduce students to the realities of theworkplace.

4(1)25%

4(1)25%

4(2)50%

d) Provide students with "reality checks": helping students set realistic goals and time frames.

10(2)20%

10(2)

10(3)30%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

10(3)

10(3)

10(5)50%

e) Provide resume workshops, allow students to have access to employers through job fairs,on-campus interviewing, job postings.

10(2)20%

10(3)30%

10(5)50%

f) Teaching the processes, strategies, and techniques of the job search.

4(1)25%

4(1)25%

4(2)50%

g) ADD YOUR OWN: " Self-esteem, self-confidence and positive mental attitude are thingsstudents should also have -continued assistance with developing."

**Only one participant responded with a personal statement. This was additional to theother three choices.

5. What do you see as the single greatest problem facing care/placement over the nextseveral years? Select three (3) and rank-order your choices according to the followingscale:

1 = 1st single greatest problem facing career/placement over the next several years.

2 = 2nd single greatest problem facing career/placement over the next several years.

3 = 3rd single greatest problem facing career/placement over the next several years.

Shrinking fiscal resources which may reduce all services which are not regarded as"academic".

FIRST

12(7)58%

SECOND

12(2)17%

THIRD

12(3)25%

Fewer funds. More assignments without additional staff: "doing more with less."

5(1)20%

5(2)40%

5(Z

30%"41Tarra

20%10%0%

5(2)40%

2 0Page 17

c) Developing jobs for students with limited English-speaking/English-writing abilities.

6(3)50%

6(2)33%

d) Marketing the importance of our mission to the administration, faculty, students.

8(3)38%

8(4)50%

e) Adapting to changes in technology, keeping up with rapidly shifting job markets, and helpingstudents to be well-prepared.

13(3)23%

13(6)46%

13(4)31%

f) Lack of sufficient funds to purchase state-of-the-art computers for on-line job networking,job search, and job placement.

FIRST SECOND

6(0) 6(2)0% 33%

100%

80%

60%

40%

6()

limo I

35%30%25%20%15%

10%5%0%

6(2)

106(2) I

g) ADD YOUR OWN: No Comment.

THIRD

6(4)67%

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Title:CAREER ABD PLACEMENT SERVUCES SURVEY

Author(s): SRTRLFY R_ SMTTR, P1-_D_1 nEnN YORKE Rpsparrh Assistant

Corporate Source: Publication Date:

Ocober, 1998

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