On the Job

“When am I going to use this in life?”

How many students have ever asked that question?

                                  

My high school math teacher hated it when we would ask her that question. In fact, she hated it so much that she bought a book that listed all the different careers or areas in life where a person needed certain math skills. Then, anytime we complained about the lesson or pestered her about the pointlessness of math, she would pull out that book and start reading aloud. She definitely worked hard to prove her point, but I still don’t know why I needed to learn calculus.

Students at Shepherds College really don’t have to ask that question. Everything they are being taught is necessary for life. Outside of class, they learn life skills: cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene and grooming, money management, and shopping. Inside class, they build and expand on the life skills they’ve learned by taking it to the next level. They learn about interviewing, job training, and public speaking – all things that people in the workforce use often.

Seth mock interviews with Mrs. Rabbitt

As I observed a communications class, the second year students experienced a mock orientation. Two teachers played the parts of the employers. They gave presentations and speeches to the students that made them feel like it really was their first day on the job. Just like any job training, forms had to be filled out and signed, job descriptions and requirements had to be read, and policies had to be agreed on.

The students had great focus through this process which can typically be frustrating, confusing, or mind-numbing. They were able to keep all of the forms for future reference. I’m sure they will come in handy once the students graduate and start their job search.

During the same class period, students learned about customer service. Almost all jobs require you to work with people, so learning how to handle customers is a necessary skill. This lesson included hands-on learning with a little bit of role play.

The teachers played the part of the customers, and the students pretended to be the employees. The “customers” approached the “employees” about a problem (i.e., they were charged too much money, their order was incorrect, they were unhappy with another employee’s service, etc.). Then, the “employees” had to try to fix the problem. If the “employees” were unable or unsure of how to fix the problem, they had to get help from their “supervisor.”

I had the privilege of acting as the “supervisor.” It was fun to watch the students explain the problem to me and then to work with them to appease their unhappy “customers.” They did a good job of managing the problem or knowing when to let a “supervisor” step in and provide assistance.

Pieter mock interviews with Mrs. Konopasek

I am also a college student right now, and honestly, I felt a little jealous after observing this class. Why doesn’t my university offer classes like this? Sure, my school offers career services where someone will examine your resume or give you a mock interview, but I wonder how many students actually take the time to use those services at my school. I know I haven’t.

I think it would be a lot more useful and beneficial if a specific class was offered to help students become familiar with these common job situations. Having a class like that proves that the school is focused on and committed to helping their students transition seamlessly into the workforce.

And that is exactly what Shepherds College has - a focus on their students’ success.

So, while I work on suggesting a class like this to my university, why don’t you take a moment to consider Shepherds College. Wouldn’t you love to be a part of an experience like this? Then, hitch a ride on the track to success with Shepherds College.

Looking professional for their mock interviews

Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.org.