Something I have learned from counselling students & families, and managing teams of students & faculty, is to take their lead in improving processes and on-the-ground client services.
One suggestion from our Senior Career Peer, Amanda Chacon Brown, and supported by all Career Peers, was to increase our appointment times from 25 minutes, to 40 minutes to reflect the real time it took to thoughtfully facilitate an appointment.
As this was my first time opening up the school year in this position, I took the month of September to collect data on how appointments were run. I saw that 30% of our appointments were back-to-back double bookings as they required more time. Additionally, conversations tended towards rushed, and Peers were unable to keep their five minute buffer time between appointments (for entering appointment notes, taking a brain break and prepping for their next appointment) because 100% of appointments ran overtime.
Since our change to 40-minute appointments in October, we have been able to maintain our five minute buffer in the vast majority of appointments, and had 90+% of appointments finish within their scheduled timeframe. The Studio is calmer despite being busy, and the quality of conversations has shifted. On the slower days, appointments which wrap up early allow for additional time for drop-in's, something that was not possible in September.
Reduced stress allows Peers to focus on thoughtful deep facilitation as opposed to beating the clock, which is an improved experience for both Peers and students.
Go team!
(How's that for a STAR story?! :) Want to craft one yourself? Come on down to the Studio - we can help!)
Our Career Peers support students and alum from all programs at VIU across all aspects of their career journey. In order to stay current on both our knowledge and coaching skills, we meet weekly to crowdsource unique client situations as well as role play our different appointment types.
This week, the Peers chose to role play Career Exploration, a complex appointment type that requires exceptional active listening, information literacies, inquiry and ways of knowing, and disciplinary expertise - all of which are VIU Graduate Attributes. VIU offers many on-campus opportunities for students to further develop their Graduate Attributes which can be found in our VIU Opportunity Directory.
The Peers were excited to strengthen their skills in this area (in addition to extensive training, shadowing, and individual mentoring, Peers rotate role playing through all appointment types multiple times within a year), and are excited to engage in meaningful conversations with students as they plan their futures.
From ABE to Red Seal, certificate, diploma, Bachelors and Masters degree granting programs, you are all welcome.
VIU Graduate Attributes: https://lnkd.in/gs32-eze
VIU Opportunity Directory: https://lnkd.in/gvN5vSAr
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Chancerygate Foundation Director
5moSo proud of you! A bright and exciting future ahead. It’s been a pleasure supporting you. You are amazing!