Mary N.
Downers Grove,#2UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, July 29, 2008
Dear "insider": Your post sounds resentful; therefore, I must conclude that you have been fired from the Portland office. The President of AIU, Dr. Alan Drimmer, has an MBA from U of Penn Wharton School of Business. I remember this because my cousin also has an MBA from Wharton. It's an extremely prestigious school. Donald Trump's two children, Ivanka and Don, have a Wharton MBA. I went into the admissions advisor position fully aware of what I was doing, having done prior research on the company before my interview. During my time there, I received my own share of awards and even a plaque! While you complain that the students had poor grammar skills, did you set guidelines for them regarding their Letter of Intent? I had specific guidelines that I used, which included a minimum number of paragraphs, no spelling errors, and proper grammar. I had them correct or redo errors. I had some of the best and longest Letters presented to my Director. Why did I care to do this? One, I wanted to know for myself that the potential student had what it took to do college-level work. Two, I wanted them to succeed, and I knew that taking the classes would be difficult for them. Three, I wanted to present my potential students in the best light possible to my Director. Even though I quit, I can recall the names of each one of my students and tell you WHY they wanted to begin (or return to) college. I can tell you what might have been a roadblock for them, and where they may have problems with the classes. I knew if they were good in Math or English, and what their favorite and least favorite subjects were. I think about them to this day. I CARED about my enrollments as individuals, regardless of the expected numbers. I was not a top achiever as far as enrollments go, but my work ethic allowed me to remain for as long as I wanted. While you type away and complain about how illiterate many of them were, did you turn any one of those illiterates away? Did you deduce that the person would be set up for failure? I did. When I did have a real idea that they didn't have what it took to succeed and complete their degree, I had a way of letting them know that the program may be too accelerated for them. I turned down some people who I could have just as easily enrolled. The degrees are accelerated. The potential student needs to have certain qualities to make it in the AIU programs or in any other online program. I left because I was not using certain skills that I enjoy using. I was tired of little talk time and dialing numbers 2-3 times per day, only to reach voicemail. As for my enrollments, at least 25% of them were enrolled because I left a message on their voicemail and they returned my call. Here at home, I was getting so many telemarketing calls visible on my caller ID, some three times per day, and what got me the most angry is they never even bothered to leave a message. There were not many advisors who bothered to leave a quick 20 second message. They said it was a waste of time, and would reduce their call volume. I felt it was being respectful of the potential student. When they saw the phone number on caller ID, they could relate it to my pleasant message. Let's see, a reduced call volume of maybe 5-6 calls day because one leaves a few messages which turn into enrollments. Which one should I choose? Hmmm.... That got me 25% more enrollments than I would have had. Most of the ex-employees posting here sound as if they didn't care to do their job properly and didn't CARE enough about the people they were calling. I also cared enough about myself to resign gracefully, and not slam my sweet students on a public message board. Oh, and you might want to research Dr. Alan Drimmer's qualifications once again, so that you post correct information. They are stellar qualifications! Which reminds me, CEC has amazing benefits if one is able to remain employed there. I miss the benefits! Have a great day!