Page 193 - Crisis in Higher Education

164 • Crisis in Higher Education

degree might include a civil engineer who is the head of design services
for a construction company but not someone from human resources
who assists in the hiring process. A PAB for social work might include a
lead social worker who supervises case workers at the county’s Children
Services unit. Choosing practicing professionals provides better insights
about the knowledge and skills needed by entry-level employees. PAB
leadership can be shared between university and employer members
through an executive board that has a mix of both groups and possibly a
student member or two, who can provide their perspective. Many degree
programs have student clubs or associations, and a leader from one of
these entities could be an ideal member.
There are some important operational points to consider. Well-placed
executives, the people who can contribute effectively to PABs, are busy, so
it is essential to use their time wisely. Meetings involving the entire group
should be no more than quarterly, and semi-annually is better. The real
work is done by the executive committee and small subcommittees with a
few members and a specific charge.

8.3 LINK ADMISSIONS TO DEGREE
PROGRAMS TO JOB PLACEMENT

As PABs are established, it is important to understand the touch points
among tenured and professional faculty, potential employers, and appli-
cants who become students and eventually graduate. Applicants should
be interested in jobs, starting salaries, and career advancements, and they
need data and career advice to make these decisions. As students, they
want to learn many things, including relevant theory and concepts, best
practices, written and verbal communication, and presenting themselves
well, so they can compete for the best jobs. Prior to graduation, they must
be connected to potential employers that are interested in their talents.

8.3.1 Providing Placement and Job Data
Some applicants know their field of study and graduate without chang-
ing their major. However, many do not, so they begin in a general educa-
tion curriculum. Others who think they know what they want begin in
one field of study and change their major after being disappointed by the