Your Next Call Could Shape the Future: The Power of Mentorship and Networking for College Seniors
Hey, Subscribers!
The school year is officially underway again. For some, itâs their first time entering middle or high school, worrying about making new friends, juggling classes, and fitting in. For others, however, itâs senior year in collegeâ¦their last year with the safety net of school. This got me thinking about my own final year of college: entering the workforce âfor real,â facing a weak economy and no LinkedIn or professional network.
Savvy students use this time to lock in internships and final work experiences and build professional relationships before launching their âofficialâ career search. (Fortunately for me, one of my professors suggested Enterprise Rent-A-Car as a great place to start a business career, and I ended up working there for over five years!) As a business leader in the human capital industry, Iâve seen firsthand the struggles young professionals face entering todayâs tough job market. Despite the impressive March BLS jobs figures, recent data tells a worrying story: recent graduates face a 4.8% unemployment rate and a whopping 40.3% underemployment rate.
Think about all these college seniors have had to deal with since high school â not having had an actual graduation, a global pandemic, the move from 10% of the workforce working from home to nearly 80% in a matter of days, the January 6th riots, social unrest, global supply chain issues, the rapid rise in inflation and interest rates, the opening up of mental health conversations, the explosion of housing costs, the âGreat Resignationâ, Russiaâs invasion of Ukraine, the Isreal/Hamas war, tech layoffs, and the rise of AI! Itâs exhausting just thinking about it.
But donât despairâWE, as employers and leaders, can do something to help these wide-eyed yet overwhelmed 22-year-olds! Just like my professor did for me.
A simple conversation can be transformative. By making ourselves available for informational interviews, we can offer insights, clarity, and confidence to these young adults trying to find their way. Itâs easy to tell ourselves weâre âtoo busyâ to talk to a 22-year-old. I challenge YOU to avoid this cynicism and the trap of âbusynessâ to extend a hand to these young professionals. When they send us a cold email, a request to connect on LinkedIn or ask to talk to us at a networking event, our response needs to be, âSure, Iâd be happy to spend some time with youâ.
And thereâs even more we can do:
ð Mentorship Programs: Guide the next generation with your experience.
ð Internships & Entry-Level Roles: Provide essential hands-on learning.
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ð Continuous Learning: Invest in their growth and adaptability.
ð¤ Inclusive Hiring: Embrace diverse talents for richer perspectives.
Itâs not just about opening doors; itâs about empowering young professionals to walk through them confidently. Our actions today will shape the leaders of tomorrow. Together, we can pave the way for a brighter future.
Speaking of focusing on the futureâ¦
Check out our latest Recruiter Rant: Is Your Succession Plan a Recipe for Disaster? With just 35% of organizations having a formal plan, most leadership transitions are a high-stakes game of hot potato. Get ready for a no-holds-barred look at why every position has an expiration date, how failing to plan could throw your shareholders into a panic, and why fostering a culture of continuous learning and diversity might be your ticket to avoiding chaos when change comes knocking.
Global Vice President Human Resources â Trusted Business Partner â Strategic Planning and Execution â M&A â Innovation â Growth â Transformation â Results Driven
3wThank you for sharing. Imagine the impact we could all have on the future business leaders of tomorrow if we took the time to mentor and coach today. A very worthwhile opportunity with tremendous rewards for us, them and the greater good.
Board Member, Business Strategy, Market Research & Analysis, Marketing, Product Management, Business Development & Growth
3wTo me, mentoring college students is a true joy. In a way, they keep me young at heart, and they can be inspiring in so many ways. And yes, I agree with you about graduating seniors who entered college during the pandemic. My son is one of them, and unfortunately he didn't get hands-on engineering internship opportunities like pre-pandemic students experienced. While he is still in search of a full-time mechanical engineering role, I truly appreciate those who have opened up their schedules to make time to help him get a jumpstart on his career.
Managing Director, Affinity Creative Group
3wWell said, Ken Schmitt. Important to âgive back.â Mentorship is a great way to do so.
Business Advisor - GIEM | Business Advisor - Hardware/Software Product Portfolio Manager | Soft Skills Instructor | Executive in Residence - NCSU TEC
3wKen, so very true. Just started my 6th year mentoring at NCSU TEC program for Graduate students. Students accuracy support professions who have ideas an develop business plans.
Wharton Instructor, Executive and Communication Advisor/ Keynote Speaker/ Support Executives, Leaders, & their teams to uplevel communication and performanceâ to a level even higher than they thought possible
3wKen- I don't teach undergrads but I do teach communiation to first year MBA students (in my 15th year at Wharton). I offer them the opportunity to connect with me anytime during their two years in our program and beyond. I love when I get letters from students as they are graduating and going out into the workforce. I still hear from students whom I had in class over a decade ago and that makes my day. Investing time in students is a joy for me as I never know the impact it may make, now and in the future.