THIS YEAR’S CROP OF COLLEGE GRADS - WHERE ARE THEY NOW?
- Part-time work?
- Full-time in unrelated field?
- Unpaid internship? Grad school?
- Any job at any price?
What’s the right choice for this year’s graduating class?
For a generation raised on high expectations and an enormous sense of entitlement, the class of 2010 has had a rude awakening when it comes to the job search this summer.
“The grads who are willing to roll up their sleeves, park their egos at the door, take any job and make something out of it are the ones who are ultimately going to be the first to succeed.”
And according to Nadine Mockler, president of The Launching Pad, based here, many of this year’s graduating class are going to remain unemployed unless they “recalibrate their priorities and their expectations.
“The economy has forced of us all to go back to basics,” says Ms. Mockler. “Thirty years ago when baby boomers were graduating they understood they needed to embrace any job and make the most of it. That’s what this year’s class needs to understand.”
Ms. Mockler, who, along with her business partner Laurie Young, has for the past 20 years placed thousands of moms in flexible work arrangements through their innovative company, Flexible Resources, says today’s grads need to understand that passion and leadership are two key qualities employers want to see. In her new business, The Launching Pad, a natural ‘line-extension’ of Flexible Resources, she coaches recent grads on how to stand out in the job interview and make sure they get invited back.
“While they need to learn some important skills for job-hunting, they also need to change their priorities,” says Ms, Mocker.
“With the right approach they can land a job in their field of choice, but it likely won’t pay well. And even accepting a position outside their field of choice - these need to be seen as opportunities to learn and grow - to get their foot in the door - that’s what matters.
One of The Launching Pad’s “launch-ees” recently accepted a part-time temporary job with a major mutual funds company-that turned into a full-time position after a few short weeks.
“It was a true entry-level position but once they saw his willingness to do what it takes they offered him a full-time job,” says Ms. Mockler.
It all comes down to readjusting your priorities and your expectations. This is a generation raised with high expectations and a huge sense of entitlement. Those qualities are not serving these grads well in this economy.
Ms. Mockler, co-author of the book, “The End of Work As We Know It,” is an articulate spokesperson on helping young professionals enter the job market and has important advice on what to do - and not to do - to stand out in an interview.
To speak with her and or for any questions regarding The Launching Pad, contact Redbird Communications at 203-968-0786.
