washington business
In Their Words
Dan Schawbel , best-selling author , entrepreneur , media personality and consultant , was this year ’ s luncheon keynote speaker at the Association of Washington Business ’ annual Policy Summit Sept . 13-15 . He is also a well-respected career and workplace expert and start-up advisor . Staff writer Bobbi Cussins asked him to offer his thoughts to current employers by shedding light on the fastest growing population entering the workforce — millennials — and what they expect that is different from past generations , and share his advice on what they , and the colleges they attend , can do to prepare the millennial generation for success in the workplace .
“ Companies and colleges need to better align their own interests for the good of students and their growth .”
Millennials are entering the workforce at levels that will exceed the baby boomer generation . What do today ’ s employers need to know about this generation of employees ?
As of 2015 , millennials displaced “ boomers ” as the highest percentage of the workforce and about a third already have management titles , with more managing teams of older workers every day . What makes this generation unique is that they grew up in times of uncertainty , and with the mantra to “ follow your dreams ,” so their work behavior and expectations are different than older generations . They want to do meaningful work , they don ’ t believe in a traditional 9-to-5 workday and they believe that all institutions should align themselves with charities . While this generation is different , they still have the same basic need to communicate in-person , to be compensated fairly and to be treated with respect by their manager .
In keeping with your thoughts on the growing millennial workforce , many employers would like to know what this new generation of workers expect from an employer that perhaps is out of step with previous generations ?
After interviewing thousands of millennials globally , we have discovered that after fair compensation , they demand more flexibility at work and healthcare coverage . Flexibility , including flexible hours and telecommuting , will become even more important as we enter the next big baby boom in the upcoming years . To earn their trust , leaders have to be transparent and have a high level of integrity . One way companies can do this is to involve them more in high-level meetings that they would normally not have access to .
“ After interviewing thousands of millennials globally , we have discovered that after fair compensation , they demand more flexibility at work and healthcare coverage .”
In your book “ Promote Yourself — the new rules for career success ,” you discuss how academic departments need better communication with employers on the skills they need for their workforce — essentially to ensure graduates leave college with the hard skills they need to build a resume and land a job . Why do you think that communication isn ’ t as robust as it needs to be ? And , what are some solutions to improve it ?
Companies and colleges need to better align their own interests for the good of students and their growth . The president of a college should be sitting down with the CEO of a company that typically recruits there to discuss how to evolve their curriculum so that students get the skills that lead to jobs . Companies should start having much more influence over course offerings because that ’ s the only way our country will close our current skills gap and that ’ s good for everyone . It ’ s good for college placement rates , companies who strive to fill positions and students who desire to become financially independent .
18 association of washington business