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College Grads Entering the Workforce
Training & Organizational Development
College Grads Entering the Workforce
A forum for exchanging ideas about skills training, leadership training, management training, compliance training, e-learning, as well as organizational development and effectiveness.
Generally speaking, it seems the majority of college grads we hire have a predisposed sense of entitlement. Many think that because they have a degree and "paid their dues", they deserve a corner offi
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 2/20/2008 3:24 PM EST
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Posts: 3
First: 2/20/2008 Last: 2/20/2008 |
Generally speaking, it seems the majority of college grads we hire have a predisposed sense of entitlement. Many think that because they have a degree and "paid their dues", they deserve a corner office, special treatment and a six-figure salary!
I'm sure many others have experienced this same dilemma. It seems to me that what these grads need is some training in corporate reality-like applied skills training. Does anyone have any suggestions, or used any programs, on how to deal with this growing problem? Richard Girard When will this all end? www.FlyingBlueTigers.com |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 2/26/2008 2:31 AM EST
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Posts: 148
First: 9/30/2004 Last: 12/12/2008 |
We call it new employee orientation, where we provide begin with our values and culture. Then we offer management and leadership training to help our energetic and ambitious employees learn what they need to know to get ahead. The attitudes drop once they start learning what they were never taught in college.
When will it end? When these new employees get a taste of the real work place, mentoring, and training. Reframe this issue. What can you do to help new hires integrate into your culture? Best, vivlin |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 2/27/2008 7:20 PM EST
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Posts: 108
First: 4/15/2007 Last: 8/17/2009 |
Just say No.
Les Allan Author: Managing Change in the Workplace Business Performance Pty Ltd http://www.businessperform.com |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 4/28/2008 6:50 AM EDT
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Posts: 3
First: 5/10/2007 Last: 4/28/2008 |
Seek out a Registered Apprenticeship program that will incorporate your organization's particular mission, vision, and core values, not to mention key competencies that are inherent to your organization and the occupation(s) your filling. Once you have a structure in place for passing on the companys core values, with a visible end point and goal, things (attitudes) should get better... |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 5/6/2008 8:51 AM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 5/6/2008 Last: 5/6/2008 |
I suggest having new hires paired with seasoned employees. The seasoned employees could be trained in mentoring and coaching for maximum effectivity.
NEO does not get it for us, the info is too general and diffuse. The reality can be conveyed through the senior employee. I am a boomer who is learning about Gen Y'r attitudes and beliefs. And yes, they have a feeling of entitlement and they change jobs a lot. They find out the hard way that life for many is a long slow climb. Others get what they want, a fast track into 60 hour work week. Good luck to us all. Dr. G Max |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 5/18/2008 6:16 PM EDT
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Posts: 1
First: 5/18/2008 Last: 5/18/2008 |
When I've run into that, I get permission to institute a sort of 'boot camp.' I've had new MBA's doing every menial job in the organization. The rationale? If you are going to lead these people some day, you need to know what it takes to answer the phones, stuff envelopes, stock shelves, sort through purchasing requests, sort mail, run errands, type contracts and letters, etc. It ain't glamorous, but it's the guts of any organization.
I had one young'un actually storm my office and accuse me of embezzling money from the company- LOL - because I'd taken FICA and FWT etc out of his first paycheck!! You'd be surprised how many of your problem children have never worked even at Micky Dees! This guy was a finance grad from (sorry) Wharton! Not only that -- Some of the best students out there have been treated like gods, and some professors don't help. They have to be turned into human beings or they will fail miserably. Be strong. You are saving their lives, along with the company's bottom line. If it's any consolation, I've been in Management and Training for 30 years, and it hasn't really changed all that much. There IS a generational issue, but high IQ and high ambition have always created a certain number of prima donnas who need to have a 'come to reality" meeting. Take a deep breath. If you meet this challenge with a plan for a solid orientation, pair them with a trusted, seasoned pro, and remember you may be their first reality check... you might make it. All the best! Beth Terry,CSP BethTerry.com |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 6/17/2008 7:18 AM EDT
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Posts: 2
First: 6/17/2008 Last: 10/20/2009 |
Dear Flying Tiger:
If you are attending the SHRM conference in Chicago, come to my workshop; "Stop Global Whining: The art and science of creating a culture of accountability." Unfortunately the workplace has become the venue for teaching real world life skills. The workplace today is probably the first time graduates have heard "no." There are many wonderful things about this new generation of young people. The problem is, parents and secondary education didn't do a good job of bridging the gap between "you're a winner and can be anything you like" and "here's what success looks like in the real world." As a business you must identify/define the BEHAVIORS that are necessary for success in your organization. Success is two things. What you do and How you do it. Convert "opinions" about success into measurable performance expectations. Those "success behaviors" become your culture shaping valuses. Use those values in your branding, recruiting materials, on-boarding, 30-60-90 day review and performance evaluations. It's not easy I know. However, if you can channel their talent, energy and ambition in the direction that says "success" in your company, it will be well worth your time. pamela.bezona@performanceesource.com |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 6/17/2008 8:52 AM EDT
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Posts: 4
First: 9/28/2006 Last: 6/17/2008 |
Maybe it's time to reevaluate your selection process. Lot's of MBAs have the seat time in the classroom, but no practical experience on the outside. Mommy and Daddy have taken care of these people for many years without requiring anything in return but respectable grades.
One of my first questions in the selection process is "Tell me about any job(s) you held in high school and what did you learn from them." One often hears "I didn't work in high school." Then ask "Tell me about any school activities or leadership positions you were involved in when you were in high school." Have they been involved in decision-making, meeting deadlines, having to work as a team member, or have they taken any risks? Likewise, ask the same questions about their time spent in college. If you find an applicant that has never worked or engaged in school activities, how can you expect them to have any awareness of the disciplines necessary to succeed if they are selected for a position with your company? Get your recruiters involved in changing the way they approach the selection process. Additionally, train the hiring managers on how to approach candidates that have the qualities necessary to succeed. After all, it's not about 'likeability' it's about getting these people to learn and perform in your culture. Good Luck! |
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College Grads Entering the Workforce
posted at 6/17/2008 9:21 AM EDT
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Posts: 36
First: 4/4/2006 Last: 1/27/2009 |
It doesn't matter how much education a new employee has...if their previous related work experience is little to none, THEY ARE A NEWBIE. They need to be treated and trained like a Newbie. You may even have to come out and tell them, "hey, you're o.k. but you're just a Newbie". Frustrating as it may be for them, they need to learn that doing it in the workplace isn't as tidy and predicatible as the classroom because people (coworkers, customers, suppliers)have their own, competing interests.
Sometimes the best mentors for Newbies are not your veteran employees but recent graduates from the Newbie class. Closer in age and values, they still speak the same language and can share their reality-orientation experiences. |
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