Bridging the Gap

Happy May! Congratulations to all those who are graduating.  Since we are in the midst of graduation season, I thought it would be appropriate to discuss the expectations of employers and new graduates.  Typically, employers and recent graduates have different sets of expectations upon entering the work force.  Therefore, it is necessary to bridge the gap between what is expected from new graduates and what is expected from employers.

Leadership, initiative, time management, goal setting, and organization are qualities that employers and hiring managers expect from new hires.  However, these expectations may be overwhelming and far too generalized for recent graduates unless specifically communicated.  In order to clearly communicate expectations, a suggestion would be to create a mentor program to help guide them through this new set of expectations.  The suggested mentor program can establish a relationship between a new employee and a trusted mentor within the company.  This training tool ensures that a new employee is learning company expectations from a professional. 

Another way to bridge the gap of expectations between employers and new graduates is to create a friendly environment that makes recent graduates feel comfortable.  The first week in the office needs to be a welcoming experience that gently eases the new graduate in to their role without overwhelming them with expectations.   One great way to initiate the first week of a new job is to have a staff lunch.  A staff lunch creates a relaxed setting which allows the new graduate to meet with fellow employees on a personal level.  Recent graduates must feel their colleagues and bosses are approachable in order to communicate with them their ideas, questions and concerns.

Recent graduates can be a tremendous asset to a company.  While seasoned professionals may have their practiced routines, a new graduate brings a fresh perspective to a company.  Most importantly, recent graduates need guidance in order to understand the company’s expectations while incorporating their own diverse perspective into their role.  Managing expectations while laying a solid foundation for new graduates to grow upon will determine how successful they will be for the company.  I encourage you all to practice patience as they learn so that you can help foster their growth.  After all, they are our future leaders.