I can’t tell you how frustrating it was my senior year of my undergraduate and everywhere I looked, companies were looking for someone with 5-7 years of professional experience. It felt like there was no middle ground between entry-level jobs for high school graduates and mid-level jobs for 30-something-year-olds. There I was, 21 years old, wondering how long it would take to get any use out of my degree.
OK, it’s understandable if when you’re looking to fill a position in your company, you’re looking for the candidate who would require the least amount of training. You want someone with experience – someone who won’t get in your hair and be a nuisance.
But consider this: hiring student employees or interns could actually benefit your company more than a seasoned employee. Don’t believe me? Consider these five benefits:
They’re more comfortable with technology
Is there any business alive today that doesn’t use the Internet for something? The great thing about students these days is that they know how to use whatever technology you might be using, and they can easily pick up on databases. They grew up on laptops, tablets and smartphones.
They have less to unlearn
OK, maybe their professors taught them something that you wish they would just erase from their mind. But how many times have you heard more experienced workers say this: “Why would I change something that’s worked for ages?” Students understand that they have more to learn, and they are eager for you to be their mentor in the beginning of their professional experience. Shape them as you will!
They know how to communicate
Millennials and generation Z get teased relentlessly about their inability to communicate face-to-face since the emergence of text messages and social media. But they’ve got it all wrong – students know how to communicate on all sorts of platforms because of the world of technology they grew up in. Communication comes easily for them – they can multitask and to you, clients, and other employees all at the same time on different levels.
They’re enthusiastic
When you hire a student, it’s likely that you’re one of the first companies to give them a real chance to pursue their passion outside of a classroom setting. These people are excited to work, and they’re excited to learn from you. Their energy and enthusiasm will translate into their work ethic and job performance.
They’re willing to do the grunt work
Don’t believe that generalization that the younger generations are entitled. When you hire students, they’re the employees who will be most willing to sweep the bottom of the barrell. They’re eager to learn and prove themselves to you!
When you give students the chance to chance to pursue their passion within your company, you’re moving your company forward in a modern direction.
by: Emily Brady
Emily Brady received her Bachelors at Brigham Young University Idaho where she majored in Communication Sciences with an emphasis in journalism and professional management. She has written for Scroll News and Deseret Digital Media and is currently a freelance writer. In her free time she enjoys hiking, reading and swinging in her hammock.
