On Campus
Recently, I’ve been out and about working with lots of law schools and business school students. While doing so, I’ve seen some important emerging trends:
1. Employment opportunities have improved. One contact reported that all of their students who worked as summer associates throughout this year’s summer months have received offers for employment. However, business students remain concerned as Wall Street and some of the big banks continue to announce lay-offs. Today's financial interns are less than certain position will await them when they're ready to start work.
2. Students are stepping up to the plate when it comes to their attire. Years ago I encountered students whose interpretation of “business attire” ranged from suits and ties to jeans and tee-shirts. In the past two months, virtually all of the students who attended one of my presentations appeared wearing business-appropriate attire. It’s almost as if an entire generation has suddenly gotten the message that in tough economic times, those who want to get hired dress seriously.
3. I’ve never encountered groups of students more interested in acquiring every attribute that might give them a leg-up in the hiring process. Attendance has increased at all of my facilitated business etiquette dinners, and student attendees have asked questions galore. One program was scheduled to end at 9:00 p.m. I stayed until 9:30 p.m. responding to students one-on-one.
Two years ago, many students seem to have adopted an attitude: It doesn’t matter what I do, I’m not going to land a job. Today’s students portray a very different demeanor. They are serious about doing whatever it takes to land the jobs they expect will exist when they graduate.
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