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David Franey, former V.P. of JobTRAK (currently MonsterTRAK) has advocated college work-based learning and employment services for many years. His position with JobTRAK allowed him contact with over 1,000 colleges nationally and thousands of employers nationally and internationally. Currently, David serves on the California Community College Chancellor’s Office Statewide Advisory Committee for Work-based Learning and Employment Services. He gives his perspective on the importance of college students transitioning to the workplace through work-based learning activities and major-related employment in this interview with Marge Nielsen.
How did JobTRAK support work-based learning for college students?
When I was at JobTRAK approximately 50% of our workforce was comprised of student workers. I don’t recall any of them getting school credit, but they were given great responsibilities and the opportunity to see all the jobs being offered to students nationwide. Students need a flexible schedule, while they’re in school and we were able to offer them many hours outside of their class schedule. Our experience with students was great, because like most employers, we practiced just-in-time hiring, and quickly training new employees was crucial. Students are in the learning mode and are able to get up to speed much quicker than our other hires.
What changes have you seen with employers regarding work-based learning activities in the past 10 years?
When I started at JOBTRAK in 1987, I believe most employers outside of engineering and computer science felt work-based learning was a one-way street, where the student reaped most of the benefit. Most companies weren’t equipped to take the time and give a student a real on-the-job learning experience, because they didn’t have the time to train. When the Internet boom hit and skilled workers were in short supply, work-based learning became a recruiting tool for the company. Employers would offer work-based learning employees fulltime jobs months or even years in advance of graduation. Plus employers were struggling to get websites up and running and most college students were skilled at creating web sites. This made students valuable to most employers and the students were given a real project to complete during their work-based learning experience.
How can the colleges prepare the students to enter into work-based learning activities?
Outside of their curriculum, the soft skills of time management and communication are essential in the working world. It’s also important to understand what industries are nearby and what new skills are needed. With the economy moving and changing so rapidly, it’s vital for colleges to understand what skills will be necessary in the future and prepare their students to adapt to those changes. The concept of life long learning is so vital to this country’s future, so colleges need to keep students and alumni informed of all the learning opportunities on campus or online.
What could colleges do that would assist themselves with connecting to employers to gain contacts and sites for work-based learning activities?
Community outreach via the Chamber of Commerce, Local Trade Associations and Alumni can keep you busy enough. It’s important to take the initiative and call or visit the employer(s) once a year and see what their needs are and how the school might be able to help. Employers are focused on the bottom line and if you can somehow reduce their cost (Time is Money) they will want to work with you. Schools should provide a concierge type service for employers and students, a one-stop department, where all employment needs could be addressed.
JobTRAK started as a service for employers to post jobs for college students. In the 1990’s, JobTRAK also posted internships. What contributed to the addition of internships to your company’s services?
JOBTRAK was a back office service for college career centers and placement offices. Most of the four year colleges and universities had an internship program and asked us to incorporate the full-time jobs with the internships. The thinking was that a student could make better choices on a career path based on expected salaries, and where the jobs were located.
How important do you think work-based learning activities will be in the future?
Work-based learning will be vital when the baby boomers begin to retire in big numbers and create a shortage of skilled workers. Successful recruiters discovered during the Internet boom that the best recruiting was done via work-based learning. Employers and students have an opportunity to test drive each other, allowing each to make a better decision. The better the fit, the longer the employment; everyone is happy.
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