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Out What YOUR Parents and Educators Have you ever wondered what the parents and educators of your students and potential students know about career paths in the process industry? Do the parents and educators in your area have an understanding of the knowledge and skills needed by process technicians to perform in this fast-paced, high tech job? The answers to these questions may be helpful when planning and implementing a recruitment strategy for your institution. Research indicates that parents are the strongest environmental influence for male and female students when they are deciding whether or not to attend college. The Alaska Process Industry Careers Consortium (APICC) recognized this fact and list decided to explore and assess the awareness of area parents and educators of all levels of the career opportunities available in the process industry in Alaska. APICC was also interested in developing a means to establish a benchmark of awareness and attitudes of these groups toward the process industry. They wanted a follow-up survey to be performed one year after the initial survey to measure progress in their recruiting efforts and possible positive shifts in parental and educational attitudes toward the process industry. The survey was developed to determine:
APICC’s efforts were partially funded through a grant from the US Dept. of Labor. They hired the Craciun Research Group Incorporated (CRG) to assist them with this project. Internet surveys were available online for approximately fifteen days, which allowed participants to anonymously complete the survey at the most convenient time for them. APICC developed their sample of 132 by compiling several lists including school employees, PTA lists and other various email lists. These sample participants were sent a letter via email inviting them to participate and directing them to the web site to complete the survey. APICC offered an incentive for participation. Each respondent completing the survey by the designated deadline was entered into a drawing for $250. (Sample Invitation) The survey consisted primarily of simple multiple choice questions with one response required for each. (APICC Survey) APICC chose to include an opt-out choice such as “Don’t Know” or “Not Sure”. It also included the possibility for an answer other than the choices listed for a question; the respondent could select “Other” and type in an open-ended, precise answer. The survey took five minutes or less for each of the twenty-six respondents to complete. The results of this survey confirmed results from similar national studies that Alaskans view themselves as very different, when in fact, they are not. APICC is currently using the results of this survey to “arm their messengers”, primarily, school teachers! The survey results assisted the staff in identifying the need to educate the educators. The process of changing a mindset is slow, but will benefit education and industry over time. Many people perceive the careers within the process industry as dirty, dead-end jobs. Surveying parents in your area may be helpful for you to assess the parental mindset of the industry in your area. Obtaining this knowledge prior to developing recruiting materials may influence the message that you choose to send. With much research indicating that parental encouragement is the most important factor that conditions an individual to choose college, a parent survey may be a useful tool in your recruiting efforts! |