Home Notifications Newsletters Next Share

Corporate America's advice to college grads: 'Choose your first employer wisely'https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/corporate-americaaposs-advice-to-college-grads-aposchoose-your-first-employer-wiselyapos/slidelist/91871499.cms2022-05-29T18:14:19+05:30

Corporate America's advice to college grads: 'Choose your first employer wisely'

Advertisement

Ebony Flake,Reed Alexander,Josée Rose,Tim ParadisMay 29, 2022, 18:14 IST

Corporate America's advice to college grads: 'Choose your first employer wisely' — C-suite executives advise new grads to consider more than earning potential when choosing their first role.Getty Images
Class of 2022 college graduates can expect more job options and higher pay.
C-suite executives advise grads to prioritize development over money when choosing their first job.
It's commencement time and college graduates are entering a competitive job market as US employers are hiring 31.6% more graduates compared with last year, and paying them 2.5% more than starting salaries for hires from the Class of 2021.
The market gives the Class of 2022 the advantage of a plethora of employment choices and a higher career-earning trajectory. However, C-suite executives advise new grads to consider more than just earning potential when choosing their first role.
Insider spoke with top leaders who shared career advice for new graduates. They said to prioritize development and relationships over money, and make sure graduates' values are aligned with their employers'.

Advertisement

Tim Ryan, US chairman and senior partner at PwC

Tim Ryan, US chairman and senior partner at PwC — "If someone is not happy at home, it's hard for them to be sustainably satisfied at work," Ryan said.PwC
PwC ranks as the second-largest professional services network in the world and is considered one of the Big Four accounting firms.
Align your values with your employer:
We know money matters, but look at the company's reputation, look at their culture, look at how they stand by people. How did they react to the financial crisis? How did they react to the pandemic? How are they reacting now?
Advice for long-term success:
I try to give advice, not only for today but 40 years from now. The first piece of advice is to treat people with respect. We all make those mistakes, including me, but when you make a mistake, say "sorry."
The second piece of advice is, don't just point out problems, but point out solutions and be part of the solution. It's easy to point out problems, and God knows there are plenty of them, but get involved in resolving them.
Don't forget your personal life:
And, the last one is to remember it starts at home. If someone is not happy at home, it's hard for them to be sustainably satisfied at work. So, therefore, the biggest job people have is at home.

Ravi Saligram, CEO and board member at Newell Brands

Ravi Saligram, CEO and board member at Newell Brands — "Make sure you have good chemistry with your hiring manager," Saligram said.Newell Brands
Newell Brands is a global manufacturer, marketer, and distributor of consumer and commercial products, with brands including Rubbermaid, Mr. Coffee, Marmot, Elmer's, and Yankee Candle.
Prioritize your development:
Make sure it's a place where you can learn. Don't worry about what they pay you or your title. If you have two or three offers, be courageous enough to reject the higher offer if you can learn more. Find a place you'll stay and learn and learn and learn — where they'll move you to different areas. Learning is so critical in those formative years. Don't be lured by who will pay you an extra buck.
Align your values with your employer:
Find a company that fits your ethos your values. Fit is pretty essential, especially in that first job. Those early formative years are so crucial to your career. Also, make sure you have good chemistry with your hiring manager.

Advertisement

Nancy Hauge, chief people experience officer at Automation Anywhere

Nancy Hauge, chief people experience officer at Automation Anywhere — "You have to seek a place that is going to share your values." Hauge said.Automation Anywhere
Automation Anywhere is a global software company that develops cloud automation services.
Choose the right company:
Some years ago, I read a study on the presidents of the United States. They've been asked through the ages: "Who's the most influential person in your life?" Of course, the number one answer is always their mother. The second one, though, is their first employer. And that's profound.
As a first employer, you think about what that responsibility is to young people as they start their careers. It's massive in terms of how you set the framework and expectations for how they will be treated in the workplace and what their potential could be in the workplace.
My advice to new grads is to choose their first employer really well. The first employer you have out of college helps define who you're going to be in the future. You have to seek a place that is going to share your values. Remember, you make the choice. They make an offer to you, and you get the final word about whether you'll take it. You have all the power in that relationship.

Richard B. Handler, CEO of Jefferies Financial Group

Richard B. Handler, CEO of Jefferies Financial Group — "Find a job that you genuinely have a passion for," Handler said.Courtesy of Richard Handler
Jefferies Financial Group is an investment bank based in New York City with more than 4,750 employees worldwide. The firm's asset-management division holds $39 billion in assets.
Find your passion:
Find a job that you genuinely have a passion for, and make sure the people you choose to work with will take a personal interest in you as a person.
Prioritize your development:
You want to work with people who will allow you to ask questions and make mistakes — expose you to the people and situations that will enable you to learn, and want you to have a career with them and not just a job.
Don't forget your personal life:
Force yourself to have some quality-of-life balance, build as many positive and real relationships as humanly possible, act like a long-term owner of your company even if you have only been there for a week, and remember that your reputation and integrity will always be your most valuable asset in life.

Advertisement

Next Story 3 entrepreneurs who built multibillion-dollar bra...

Advertisement

View All Latest

Advertisement

Copyright © 2024. Times Internet Limited. All rights reserved.For reprint rights. Times Syndication Service.