Executives to new grads: Shape up!

cnn ^ | February 1, 2012 | Anne Fisher

[george76]

Most senior managers are unimpressed with the entry-level job applicants they're seeing, reports a new survey...

Note to recent college grads and the Class of 2012: You may not be as ready for the working world as you think you are...

a 65% majority of business leaders say young people applying for jobs at their companies right out of college are only "somewhat" prepared for success in business, with 40% of C-suite executives saying they are "not prepared at all." Not only that, but even those who get hired anyway may not rise very far. Almost half (47%) of C-suite executives believe that fewer than one-quarter (21%) of new grads have the skills they'll need to advance past entry-level jobs.

And what skills might those be? The most sought-after are problem-solving (49% ranked it No. 1), collaboration (43%), and critical thinking (36%). Also in demand is the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing (31%).

...

And whose fault is it if most college grads haven't got what it takes to get ahead? The executives surveyed overwhelmingly believe that academia has failed to keep up with the breakneck pace of change in the business world: More than three-quarters (77%) blame educators for new grads' lack of readiness.

[Nervous Tick]

“C-suite executive”? WTH is that?

[FlingWingFlyer]

And what skills might those be? The most sought-after are problem-solving (49% ranked it No. 1), collaboration (43%), and critical thinking (36%). Also in demand is the ability to communicate clearly and persuasively in writing (31%).

Weird. I don't see anything there about having the ability to sit at a desk playing with a "smart phone" for 8 hours a day.

[umgud]

Our college system is not about educating students. It’s a self-serving racket with the only purpose to keep that racket going.

[wally_bert]

I see many people playing with their phones almost all day and doing little else in places I visit and do tech service work for.

[nascarnation]

Some places it seems like the whole friggin’ populace has their nose in a mobile phone.

What the hell are they doing?

[ClearCase_guy]

Angry Birds

[stubernx98]

The word “work” has been replaced by “party”. The companies I ran I hired a lot of folks in their 50’s, they appreciated having a job and understood that effort was required. The #1 indicator of success is their track record(not school, grades or references). I miss Cain, he would have been a great President.

[LostInBayport]

Some places it seems like the whole friggin’ populace has their nose in a mobile phone.

I spent most of today sitting in the waiting area of an emergency room. Yes, I received and sent a few texts to family members with any news about what was going on (and, okay, I checked FR once), but mostly I (tried to) read a hardcover book I brought.

Everyone else there was constantly and unceasingly glued to their mobile devices. With the sound on, watching video, playing games...and these were all adults. One guy took a few seconds to close/finish/end his game after his obviously painstricken lady friend's name was called to go inside. Then he got up and helped her in.

[Flavius]

Ha that’s interesting I’m not that impressed with senior managers .

[Puckster]

“And whose fault is it if most college grads haven't got what it takes to get ahead? The executives surveyed overwhelmingly believe that academia has failed to keep up with the breakneck pace of change in the business world: More than three-quarters (77%) blame educators for new grads’ lack of readiness.”

Academia have been to busy “radicalizing” the young students.

At almost 60, without even an AS degree, I can out compete the vast majority of graduates spanning about the last 15-20 years for positions like “Field Engineer”.

[RightOnline]

“C-suite executive”....much more commonly referred to as C-level.

CEO - Chief Executive Officer
COO - Chief Operating Officer
CFO - Chief Financial Officer
CTO - Chief Technical Officer

...etc., etc., etc....hence the “C-level” designation.

[tanknetter]

they appreciated having a job and understood that effort was required.

Here's the issue: the up/coming generation ("Y"/Millenials) are going to demand that the standard for effort-required changes.

And they're going to have that demand met. Here's why - it all comes down to numbers.

There are approximately 80 million Baby Boomers. There are approximately 40 million GenXers. There are approximately 80 million Millenials (showing why they are often also called the "Boomer Echo").

There aren't enough Xers to make up for the losses that are going to be seen in the workforce as Boomers retire or die (more likely the latter, thanks to Obama). That leaves the Millenials in an incredibly powerful position to exert leverage over the work environment. They WILL change it, simply because they will be so desperately needed and there won't be anyone standing in their way. And from what I'm already seeing, the change won't be good.

[mia]

There are many top level academic colleges in this country that have very high standards and are excellent universities. Perhaps these students are snapped right up after graduation, but it’s hard to believe that they are the minority.

[LouAvul]

More than three-quarters (77%) blame educators for new grads' lack of readiness.

And 100% of the educators are immune from repercussions from their laziness and stupidity because a) they have tenure and b) school administrators and school boards are so ignorant as to not be aware of any problems.

[freedomfiter2]

Note to recent college grads and the Class of 2012: You may not be as ready for the working world as you think you are...

Well then get off your lazy duffs and train employees the way you want them. Or you could always use a little of that critical thinking you claim that you value and hire employees based on what you want and forget about the college degrees.

[freedomfiter2]

I miss Cain, he would have been a great President.

Why did he quit again? Was it because he might have been unfaithful to the wife he is still married to?

[wally_bert]

From what I hear (and don’t want to), they be talkin to dey hoes and bros, and others to about junior and how their junior is better than the other juniors. It is endless.

The last thing I did swapping out bank equipment in evenings, everyone was surgically attached to those phones.

[Neanderthal]

“C-suite executive”? WTH is that?

Corner office?

[Cato in PA]

“The most sought-after are problem-solving (49% ranked it No. 1), collaboration (43%), and critical thinking (36%).”

I’m willing to bet that 100% of these so-called executives can’t even define what they’re looking for without using generic catchphrases and business jargon. The inarticulate, egotistical executives say that the illiterate Lesbian French Ice Sculpture majors lack basic skills like communication? Pot, meet kettle.

Stories like this strike a nerve with me. There’s a real problem with our colleges, but it’s also not right to have unrealistic expectations of graduates.