What Employers Want and Expect From College Graduates & What Students Want From Employers

1. What Employers Want and Expect From College Graduates & What Students Want From Employers Charlie Endicott Personal Career Planning

2. What Employers Want in College Grads • From a “MoneyWatch” survey of 318 employers • At least 25 employees • At least ¼ of hires have either a bachelor’s or associates degree

3. Key Findings • 93 percent of employers said that a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly and solve complex problems is more important than any other attributes the student can offer.

4. More Key Findings • 95 percent of employers say they prioritize hiring college graduates with skills that will help them contribute to innovation in the workplace.

5. Additional Findings • 80 percent of employers agree that regardless of their major, every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.

6. What Else Matters Most in College? • Strongly endorse such educational practices as collaborative problem-solving,internships, senior projects and community engagement. • More than four in five employers say that in evaluating applicants they find it helpful if job candidates have a digital portfolio, along with the usual resume and college transcripts. • Two in three employers believe most college graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in entry-level positions.

7. Survey Findings • What this survey of employers and others have suggested is that the major isn't nearly as important as what college students do in and out of the classroom.

9. What do Students Expect From Employers (NACE-2013)

10. NACE Information • More than two-thirds of students plan to enter the work force immediately upon graduation. • When choosing among potential employers, the most important factors students say they consider are the opportunity for personal growth, job security, and a good benefits package.

11. Students say they’d most like to work in: • Government • Human Services • Education

12. And when they consider a job, they look at: • Nature of the work • Compensation • Co-workers

13. When considering a job offer, new graduates look for: • Opportunity for personal growth • Job security • Friendly co-workers

14. When scoring one job offer against another, the benefits that matter most include: • Annual salary increases • 401(k) company match • Tuition reimbursement

15. First Year on the Job-12 Steps to Success • Adopt the right attitudes-be positive-work is different than college-earn respect • Adjust your expectations-expect to be surprised • Master breaking-in skills-OK to be new • Manage the impressions you make-be professional-first impressions are so important • Build effective relationships-find ways to “fit in.” Don’t try to change the culture • Become a good follower-learn the norms-watch others • Understand your organization’s culture-pay attention to the way things are done-figure out what is expected of you

16. Other Steps • Develop organizational savvy-rites of passage • Understand your new-hire role-don’t be frustrated • Listen to your supervisor-make her/him look good • Master the tasks of your job-be a good listener • Acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities you need-learn from others