The Class of 2023 Spills the Tea 🍵

This is MISSION, a weekly newsletter for those who don’t just point out problems—they build solutions.

ORIGINAL RESEARCH

What New Grads Want From Employers

There's a common misconception about young workers. Recent college grads are taking flak from older generations for being coddled, headstrong, and unwilling to make sacrifices for their work.

If this critique sounds familiar—and possibly mistaken—it’s because we heard the same complaints two decades ago against Gen X “slackers” and a decade ago against Millennials, the generation that literally invented “hustle culture.”

We wanted to find out what was really going on, so we partnered with Pollfish to survey 500 students about to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree and begin their professional lives.

We sought to understand what they expect from their future employers, what matters to them when deciding on jobs, and how they rank their priorities—information that will be incredibly important for companies attempting to attract young talent.

The most important factor when picking a job? The option to work remote–but not all the time

Soon-to-be college grads said having the option to work remote was the most important factor in their job search—33% said it was their top concern, above “alignment with personal values and interests” (25%) and salary (21%).

Most college grads plan to pursue a side hustle that will turn into a full-time job

If millennials created hustle culture a decade ago, this class of college grads may be launching side-hustle culture, as 75% of respondents plan to pursue a side hustle alongside their full-time job.

Side hustles provide an opportunity to pursue passions and develop new skills, but for many, the goal extends further. Sixty-one percent hope to become entrepreneurs and eventually turn their side hustle into the main hustle—aka their primary source of income.

They want work-life balance—and a 4-day work week

According to the findings of a recent poll by Gartner, almost two-thirds of employees stated that the pandemic had made them question the role work should play in their lives. Priorities have shifted, and more than one out of every five students surveyed expressed work-life balance as their top concern.

And with 76% of soon-to-be-grads endorsing a four-day work week, we might be seeing a future where a more balanced work-life becomes the norm.

College grads search for jobs on social media—as well as job search platforms

Most companies would never think to use TikTok and Instagram to advertise their jobs, but those platforms are where most college grads are searching. Fifty eight percent are using TikTok in their job search, while 66% are using Instagram.

While these channels still rank below tried and true options such as Google (81%), job search platforms like LinkedIn (74%), and gig platforms like Monster (80%), it still reveals a hidden channel that most companies may not think of.

Read the Full Report

A.TEAM EVENTS

Sign Up for Our Generative AI Summit

Tickets are now open to join us live on Monday, May 8th for our Generative AI Summit!

Hosted in sponsorship with industry legends, OpenAI, Cooley LLP, and Baseten, we're bringing together the top VCs, founders, and innovation leaders driving the AI revolution to explore the incredible promise—and uncertain future—of generative AI.

We'll be coming to you live from A.Team's NYC Clubhouse as we gather the best minds in AI for expert panels and a special hackathon showcase—featuring generative AI prototypes built in partnership between A.Teams and enterprise advisors from Fortune 500 leaders, including JP Morgan, AIG, WestRock, and Prudential.

RSVP here for priority access to the livestream.

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PARTING MEME

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