Gen Z Rising: 2017 U.S. College Graduate Employment Study

U.S. GRADS ARE BEGINNING TO

As the Class of 2017 – the first crop

of GENERATION Z grads – enters

the workforce, we see an uptick

in grads wanting to work for a

LARGE COMPANY

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A TAKEON TRADITIONAL VALUES

Gen Z resembles its parent generation, Gen X, more than its

Millennial/Gen Y predecessors. U.S. graduates are prepared, willing

to commit and ready to roll up their sleeves. In return they want an

employee experience that is tailored for them.

Large employers are better positioned than their smaller counterparts to

provide the complete package: A strong career path with mentoring,

training and competitive compensation.

78%completed an internship or apprenticeship

84%expect their first employer to provide formal training


IS MAKING A COMEBACK

Employers will see a refreshing practicality in new grads. U.S. Gen Z

grads are showing a willingness to work not just for—but with— their

new employer on many issues.

75%are willing to relocate to another state for a job offer

58%consider it acceptable to work evenings or weekends


GEN Z SWIMS WELL IN

U.S. Gen Z grads bring a valuable digital mindset, having grown up with

a device in hand. These true digital natives are comfortable working

alongside machines and artificial intelligence (AI) and realize keeping

up with technology requires ongoing learning.

66%believe AI and other advanced technologies will enhance their work experience

73%have taken digital or computer science related courses before their first job


DIGITAL NATIVES CRAVE THE

It is not surprising that these digital natives are less worried about their

competency with emerging technologies. At the same time U.S.

graduates understand the value of the human touch and importance

of the softer skills in a world of robotics and artificial intelligence.

78%believe their college prepared them for the digital workforce

42%prefer in-person meetings

WHAT CONCERNS GEN Z?UNDEREMPLOYMENT IS ON THE RISE

U.S. Gen Z grads see a majority of their predecessors feeling

underemployed, working in jobs that don’t require their college degree,

and want to avoid that fate.

More than half of recent graduates consider themselves underemployed.


GIVE THEM CHALLENGING, MEANINGFUL WORK

Training and development plans become increasingly important for Gen Z workers, and can be the difference between retaining and losing digital talent.

Companies that reward graduates' practicality with a personalized, challenging employee experience that takes full advantage of their college degrees will reap the benefits.

more likely to commit to their employer for 5+ years if they feel their skills are fully utilized with challenging, meaningful work, according to recent 2015/16 grads in the workforce.

U.S. graduates are



CHECKLIST FOR LARGE EMPLOYERS

Large employers have an opportunity to attract U.S. Gen Z grads by

capitalizing on the match between what they can offer and what new

talent is asking for.

DIGITIZE RECRUITING

Disrupt recruiting norms by using

technology to reach new talent pools at

low cost.


CROSS-TRAIN

Create a boundaryless

project assignment and

staffing model internally,

one that breaks down

organizational and

functional barriers and

allows newer workers the

opportunity to learn across

multiple areas of the

company.

CONNECT THE DOTS

Match each employee's

total rewards to the value

system of the new

generation. Show each

employee how his or her

contributions support the

organization’s purpose

and objectives.




PLAN FOR GROWTH

Develop an individualized

skills and career plan for

new hires showing them

your company invests in

their advancement by

providing multiple,

different experiences

early in their career.

COACH FOR SUCCESS

Formalize the process

of assigning incoming

employees coaches to help

leverage their strengths,

guide career paths and

provide a personal

touchpoint beyond

their team lead.

To attract and retain U.S. GEN Z grads for your FUTURE WORKFORCE, make the most of the match between their values and the EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE your company offers.


Learn more about how you can attract and retain U.S. Gen Z college grads with our full report:

GEN Z RISING: U.S. EDITION

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Gen Z Rising: 2017 U.S. College Graduate Employment Study