Goal: Increase student satisfaction with career support.
Client: Dwyla Beard, 2nd year student
Idea 1: Provide Suggestion boxes near the CMC.
Although students have the opportunity to fill out a survey at the end of every school year, part of which concerns the career management services at Owen, there are not opportunities for continuous improvement throughout the academic year. Since Owen is often concerned with branding and appearances, this suggestion box does not necessarily have to take a physical form, but could also be through an online drop-box via Blackboard or informal monthly surveys, etc. It is our goal to increase student satisfaction with career support at Owen, and by offering students a voice, especially one in which they can be candid and honest with their anonymous feedback, the school is already allowing students the opportunity to be heard.
Idea 2: Start EMBA-MBA mentorship program with job posting site and social events.
The Owen EMBA program has many prominent and important Executives in Fortune 500 companies. Many of these firms do not recruit at Owen, so we believe that these Executive MBA students could be in a position to initiate on-campus recruiting or at least recommend specific students for consideration. This program would seek to leverage the tremendous influence, network, and experience of these EMBA students by creating a mentorship program in which they are paired with interested MBA students in their industry. The program may include monthly lunches or networking events, and participants would be encouraged to meet one-on-one and seek counsel with each other as much as possible. To facilitate the program and information, a password-protected website could be created for participants that contain jobs posted by EMBA students and planned social events.
Idea 3: Keep a supply of 10 interview portfolios, complete with legal pads and pens, in the CMC or library for student rental.
With all of the career-focused events going on at Owen, including information sessions, interviews, and mock interviews, it is easy for students to get dates and times mixed up. Students rush to get to school with all of their homework due for the day, and may even remember to bring their lunches; but unfortunately, many times students find themselves without the status-signifying leather portfolio (which, by the way, employers expect them to have clutched securely in their hands as they enter the interview/info session/[insert other event here]). This is where Team Awesome comes in. To help facilitate the smooth functioning of the career-search process, and help relieve unnecessary student stress that comes with the process, the CMC or Office of Academic Programs & Student Life should make available approximately ten leather-like portfolios (complete with pad and pen), either in the CMC office or the library, for student rental. This way, if a student forgets his or her portfolio at home, all he or she has to do is make a quick detour to the CMC or library to check-out a portfolio, and then make sure to return it the following morning. The check-out process should be very easy. Students should either be able to swipe their student ID, or legibly write their name on a list to ensure accountability.
So, what do you guys think?
-Team Awesome (Traci Galbreath, Jill Karen, Nana Kyei)
I really like the EMBA-MBA mentoring program. I'm curious how you would set up the system so that students can get paired up together. I think there is a lot of potential there for job leads and a mutually beneficial relationship, especially for EMBA's that want to give back and/or develop their mentoring skills.
ReplyDeleteHave you thought of other things that the CMC could rent out, like suit jackets, heels, etc? Just 'thinking outside the box'!
I like the EMBA - MBA mentoring program idea. Although EMBA's are extremely busy, a monthly luncheon/reception should be an option to enhance our networking opportunities and also gain additional insight from executive level students.
ReplyDeleteI like the suggestion box idea as well. That's an easy idea to implement and should make some immediate results as long as the CMC is receptive to students ideas.
Like Alex and Kristen said, I really like the EMBA - MBA mentoring, maybe avoiding the "mentoring" terminology and more along the lines of networking opportunities. I would appreciate more interaction between the programs and an opportunity to learn about EMBA student's backgrounds and opportunities within their organizations!
ReplyDeleteLove the EMBA/MBA mentor program idea as well. What a great way to connect younger students with the real world wisdom of the EMBA students. I think this would be mutually beneficial, however the time constraints on both sides considering many are working and pursing further degrees could be an obstacle. If there was a set procedure, something structured like what the LDP provides for executive coaches, then both parties to know time commitments upfront and be paired with students in relevant fields. Fantastic idea!
ReplyDeleteI really like the EMBA-MBA tactic. I really think that a lot of good could come from the networking opportunity that could be found here. By developing relationships between the two groups, there could be a great deal of job placements. You will need to convince the EMBA's that this is a mutually beneficial relationship for them.
ReplyDeleteAlso, having the 10 portfolios would be very beneficial as I have forgotten mine (for information sessions). Will you have access to them for this reason as well? Consider how this could be done.
Yeah I'm a fan of emba/mba plan too. I've met more emba's walking my dog (2) than I have at owen (0).
ReplyDeleteI agree with what everyone has said above, the mentor program is a great idea. I think the major hurdle is convincing the EMBA's to invest the time as they already spend the majority of their free time in emba program and would definitely be resistant to any additional time commitments. I also think the cmc drop box is a great idea and potentially easier to accomplish. Any time you can have real-time feed back is a great opportunity to improve a process and I think the CMC would definitely benefit from it.
ReplyDeleteAs someone who, at times, is a bit forgetful, I really like the idea of having portfolios for rent. In addition to being useful, a portfolio rental is also feasible. This sounds like a low cost, low approval concept and I look forward to using it....provided I can get an interview.
ReplyDeleteI would love to be able to take advantage of EMBA students, they are somehow hidden within the walls of Owen.
ReplyDeleteI question what new information or action would be created through a suggestion box but I am all about using good ideas to improve.
Portfolios are part of the professional image, if we have Owen students going to an interview without a nice portfolio that is a need to be met.
Good job.
Agreed with better networking/connections with EMBAs.
ReplyDeleteI think there's some merit to the suggestion box, and this project has the potential to grow beyond just CMC - maybe IT services, OSGA, Library, etc. Setting up the suggestion box/system will be straight forward, but I think the challenges lie in sustaining excitement among students to keep the suggestions coming, and managing expectations on how ideas may be implemented. I am very interested to see your long-term plan for this.
I like the suggestion box for the CMC. Because there are other avenues currently where students can voice their concerns with the CMC (through the OSGA, surveys, complaining directly), I think the challenge here will be to ensure that there is someone that ensures that the suggestions are actually read and considered. Should it be up to students / the CMC / a third party to decide which comments are valid, feasible, beneficial or otherwise?
ReplyDeleteI love the MBA/EMBA idea. Having interned this summer for an alum of Owen's EMBA program, I realized how valuable it would be for everyone to have a similar mentor - especially ongoing on campus! But there are also benefits for the EMBAs as well, in terms of identifying new talent for their companies, among other things.
ReplyDeleteI also like the drop box idea a lot - my one question is what guidelines would you provide around submissions? I think it might be more uself if, beyond just submitting concerns/requests, people were advised to submit proposed solutions too. This way, in addition to learning of areas of concern, the CMC could also gather ideas for improvement and drive a solutions-oriented mindset among the students.
Great work!
#2 the EMBA/MBA mentorship program idea would be great, but are there enough EMBA students in the types of positions that MBA students are interested in? Also, there are very few women in the EMBA program which may pose a problem with matching students. A suggestion box outside of the CMC would be great, but would you run into the same issue that Van Tucker did? Is there a specific goal in mind that students would be writing suggestions for reaching?
ReplyDeleteI believe Lindsey provided a good suggestion that covers my fear of the CMC suggestion box. In general, it seems that the satisfaction of the CMC is correlated with the availability of jobs in the broader market. In an economy that is still struggling, it is important for students to be connected with the CMC and for them to understand exactly how they can be the most helpful to us. So, direct feedback is a good thing. However, I'm concerned about potential "ranting" about the CMC by disgruntled students who are not getting jobs, probably more due to the economy than the CMC. So, how about set up your feedback form with three sections: overall rating of the CMC's services (scale of 1-10), specific feedback or problem, and suggestion for improvement. This would allow the CMC to understand that a student may be generally satisfied but still have a specific complaint and suggestion. Or, if a student is overall dissatisfied, they would have to explain why and how it could be improved.
ReplyDeleteI would also suggest talking to Read and the Dean about this. You don't want to step on anyone's toes and it only helps to get support from the top!
I like the portfolio rental idea - easy, useful, and I'm sure would really be appreciated students across the board. I would also consider including a little box to check upon sign-in in the CMC: do you have a portfolio? Something to broadcast that the service exists in the first place . . .
ReplyDeleteThe CMC suggestion box is a useful first step in the hopes of increasing student-CMC-career conversations. However, I think developing a rubric with slightly more structure - as Krystal suggests above - might be a more productive way of facilitating meaningful/implementable suggestions.
I also second Krystal's comments to meet with Read/Dean/John Hamilton/others about this. I would be interested in any suggestions that they might have.
I love #1 and 2. Those are awesome ideas. Sometimes I would come up with some advice to go with CMC but then I was heading up to something else and forgot it. With a box I can write down quick notes and drop in the box and leave it.
ReplyDeleteThe mentor programs with EMBA would also be great. We definitely need to take full advantages of the resources we have at hand.
Really like #3 as if I didn't have more than one portfolio, with one always in my locker, I would forget my portfolio and would like this as a backup plan. What about copies of your resume in the portfolio when you arrive to check it out or a quick resume print stand in the CMC?
ReplyDeleteI think the EMBA-MBA mentorship program is an outstanding idea in theory, but I have practical concerns -- for starters, I'm not sure how many EMBA's will commit to it. Secondly, I don't know that it adds much value beyond existing resources, such as OwenConnect. Certainly, students have viable concerns about the CMC as a whole, but our ability to connect with alumni is generally not a problem, and we have a number of alums in lofty real world positions.
ReplyDeleteSo, while it may not be the most ambitious of your ideas, I love the idea of having a few extra leatherbound folders around. I often forget mine at home. You'd definitely need to figure out a checkout system so that students don't "inadvertently" forget to bring them back.
The inherent disadvantage of limiting our access to more career opportunities is the physical distance of our school to many metropolitan areas. Assume we still bear the travelling cost ourselves, a costless solution to everyone is that the school can at least change the class schedule, e.g. having both Thursday and Friday off so that we can have enough time.
ReplyDeleteI love the EMBA mentoring idea... seems like a natural fit, although scheduling will likely prove difficult, unless the mentorship can be incorporated into the curriculum somehow.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the EMBA mentoring idea. If you could make that work, I think it would be a great addition to the CMC. I think the challenge will come from EMBA schedules. In addition to going to school, they are holding down full-time jobs...and often very demanding ones at that. That being said, if you are able to find even a few and start a pilot program, I would deem it a success. Students would be happier, and there's the potential to establish longer-term relationships with the EMBAs that may not lead to career oppys right now, but have potential in the future as connections. They might also be able to provide us with valuable job search advice.
ReplyDeleteEMBA idea is fantastic.. i was visiting another school while applying to Bschools and one of the strengths highlighted by the CMC of that school was EMBA participants...
ReplyDeleteI think we should also leverage the same here
Big fan of interview portfolio idea. I easily have done that twice so far during my time here at Owen. Easy to implement,convenient, useful.
ReplyDeleteI think you also have a nice idea with the EMBA mentoring idea but I'm worried that it might be easier said than done. They obviously have very little time for activities outside of their jobs and classes.
I thin the EMBA- MBA mentor program is a great idea. I can see hoe this can be beneficial to both the EMBAs and the MBAs. It give EMBAs the opportunity recruit from a program that respect and MBAs the opportunity to build a solid network.
ReplyDeleteI like all of 3 ideas, brilliant! I also think there should be a evaluation for CMC staffs (why we do this to all professors and there is none for CMC). Some does a much better job than the other at CMC and I want it to reflect in the survey as the motivation for their effort.
ReplyDeleteInterview portfolio is great, its true that we don't even bring them (i lost mine even).
I think the survey idea is a GREAT idea. There should definitely be a way to submit ideas throughout the year. Maybe a physical and digital format would work well.
ReplyDeleteI also think the eMBA partnership would be great. We don't see them ever, which is a shame since we graduate from the same school. At the very least, we should have some type of social where we can network with them.
I think that the CMC already does a portfolio rentel - BUT no one knows about it. So you incorporate better communications around what the CMC does.
ReplyDeleteI like the EMBA-MBA mentorship idea, but am concerned about the availability of time from the EMBAs. Maybe something structured on Friday's as part of their program?
I had #2 and #3 in my 101, and think they are definitely feasible.
ReplyDeleteI have met a couple of these elusive EMBA students at Germain's entrepreneur lunch and can vouch for their existence. I would love to be able to talk through their experiences and get their thoughts on current business trends. This definitely needs to happen.
I love all 3 ideas! Especially meeting the EMBAs. I know a couple people who have gotten jobs based on their relationships with the EMBAs whereas I feel sometimes I can't tell the difference between recruiters and EMBAs in the school.
ReplyDeleteInteresting problem...
ReplyDeleteRegarding your first proposed solution - isn't it YOUR job to come up with the "suggestions" for the box? Are you foisting that work over on the other students? (Just kidding--but only sort of!)
How about giving students "permission" to simply and directly tell their ideas to the CMC staff? The suggestion box seems a bit formal and removed and suggests that the CMC does not feel accessible or responsive to students. Can you address that directly? What about a CMC brainstorm/ feedback session once a mod?
I like the folio idea, but it made me wonder---if the leather folio makes the difference between a job or not for a particular company (i.e., they are using it as a filtering mechanism), then that company is probably in pretty bad shape and you probably shouldn't want to work there, anyway. (Unless, of course they are a folio-producing company.)
But on the idea of portfolio possession as a filtering mechanism---how about an electronic portfolio to really wow them? Maybe a set of iPads to check out, and have them preloaded with a visual resume and Evernote for jotting down notes. That would allow you to use the portfolio to actually engage the recruiters (and not just convince them that you are just another unimaginative status-quo, swag-folio-carrying schluck.)
You may want to meet and talk to some EMBAs before you commit them to extra work on MBA's behalf. Keep in mind that they are holding down full time jobs, most of them with families and young kids, and many of them from out of town. It's also possible that day-MBAs come off to them as "hanging around, chatting each other up, and starting three-day weekends by guzzling copious amounts of beer on Thursday nights, among other nefarious preoccupations." If you go this route, you'll really want to find out how they think of you, AND also what it is you can do for them (not just what they can do for you). This would definitely be worth the effort.
"Suggestion box"? That's your job (to come up with the suggestions. A "box" is overly formal and sends a bad message to outsiders (i.e., you have to communicate with your CMC through notes in a little box). How about a committee of OGSA that canvases the students once a mod and brings the meaningful suggestions to the CMC in person.
ReplyDeleteEMBAs have plenty to do already. All have full-time jobs, most have families, many have young kids, and none even have a free weekend (without classes or homework). If someone asked how they perceived the day-MBAs, I wouldn't be surprised to hear someone suggest that MBAs have a pretty easy life (three-day weekends that start with guzzling copious amounts of beer on Thursdays, lots of hanging out and hooking up, and endless nursing school parties to crash.) Of course we know that's not true (at least the part about the nursing school!)
Maybe if you turn it around and think about what you can do for them - or at least what might be of mutual assistance to both. Invite them to your parties, create a baby-sitting service, offer to do research for their strategy-project teams. There are lots of ways that you could build camaraderie that would lead to mutual benefit and good will.
Folio problem seems like a non-problem. If someone hires you (or not) because you have a folio (or not) - - what a loser! Do not work for that company unless they actually produce folios. But if you insist that you want to impress with a folio - make it an electronic folio with a visual version of your resume / portfolio--- impress them AND engage them. Maybe a pile of iPads at the CMC would be the ticket.
Well you really got me thinking on this one!! Good work.