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Rowan University

Public relations 'tech'niques: vocational school recruitment

Abstract

dc:description.abstract

The problem is that the large majority of high school graduates pursue four-year college degrees when there are not enough professional jobs that require four-year degrees but rather require workers to have job-specific skills. These skills are taught by vocational schools at both the high school and the post-secondary levels. The purpose of this study was to determine what public relations techniques vocational schools use and how they can improve on these techniques to increase enrollment. Six in-depth interviews were conducted with PR/marketing practitioners at vocational schools to find out what techniques and channels their school uses to attract students. Practitioners were also asked about trends in enrollment, why they believe students do not attend vocational schools and what they believe are factors that affect enrollment. Additionally, this researcher conducted 120 student intercept survey to determine how satisfied students are with particular aspects of their school. Students were also asked to give two recommendations to better their school and list the two best aspects of their school. Research determined the majority of vocational students were satisfied with their school and would recommend it to others. Students listed the quality of education and teachers as the best aspects of their school. The majority of students heard about their school through word-of-mouth, from family and friends, teachers or school counselors.

Degree

thesis:*
Name thesis:degree_name
M.A. Public Relations
Level thesis:degree_level
Thesis
Discipline thesis:degree_discipline
Public Relations/Advertising
Year dc:date.available
2012

Author and committee

dc:creator, dc:contributor.*
Author dc:creator
  • Graeff, Rachel
Contributors dc:contributor
  • FitzGerald, Suzanne

Subjects

dc:subject × 2

Identifiers

dc:identifier.*
Repository record dc:identifier
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/220
OAI identifier oai:identifier
oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1219

Chain of custody

source
Harvested from
Rowan University
Base URL
rdw.rowan.edu/do/oai/
Last updated
2026-07-24
Source record
OAI-PMH GetRecord
citation

Graeff, Rachel. Public relations 'tech'niques: vocational school recruitment. Thesis thesis, 2012. https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/220