Andrew from Resourcing Strategies wrote this a while back in September of 2006, but then again, I’m about that far behind on my reading. Why do I get excited about where a great place to work and “launch a career” would be for a new grad? Because it gets down to the core of your employer brand (or as Andrew would say your employee value proposition EVP).
The best place to launch a career is distinctly different from the top 100 best places to work lists. For one thing, what works for a new grad may not always work for an mid career or senior professional. For one thing, new grads are hopefully looking for quick learning opportunities and perhaps some fast career growth and promotion opportunities. Great learning opportunities for a new grad may not be the same as great collaborative opportunities and innovative thinking for a seasoned worker. While these are not mutually exclusive, an organization needs to be aware that they are different and cultivate the types of employer brands differently and simultaneously.
If one thing sets apart the Top 50 employers in the BusinessWeek ranking, which spotlights not only companies but also government agencies and nonprofits, it’s their ability to give entry-level employees new opportunities early and often. Among the highest-ranked 25, for example, 21 provide extensive training programs that will hone workers’ skills and help advance their careers. “The issue for younger people thinking about their careers is whether [an employer is] an organization that’s going to develop them and provide a platform for other opportunities,” says Tom Tierney, the former CEO of No. 17 Bain & Co. who now runs Bridgespan Group, a consultancy for nonprofits. ((Newsweek. September 18, 2006. “The Best Places To Launch A Career.” Retrieved from newsweek.com on December 28, 2006.))
Interestingly enough, what seems to come through on the list is (from my valuation of the companies) is that great work seems to conquer all. Great work (Google comes to mind) that people get excited and engaged with is as or more important that career growth, learning or other drivers of engagement because it in and of itself is engaging.
Take a look at the Newsweek survey and read what young workers are looking for. It’s quite enlightening.
A note about Andrew Marritt: Andrew is one of my favorite bloggers. I think I have a special place in my heart for those that I consider to have been in the first couple of waves of HR bloggers, and Andrew was certainly one of the early adopters of the technology. The post referenced was the last one on the blog, and I sincerely hope to see him writing again soon.
5 responses to “The Best Places to Launch a Career”
“selling ads” or “writing code.” No, they’re on a quest “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” That’s from the actual mission statement, by the way, which employees can and do cite with cloying frequency. Systematic HR has this comment on Best places to launch career.
“selling ads” or “writing code.” No, they’re on a quest “to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful.” That’s from the actual mission statement, by the way, which employees can and do cite with cloying frequency. Systematic HR has this comment on Best places to launch career.
Thanks again. Now the hard part – to think of something worthy of writing about.
[…] Systematic HR: The Best Places to Launch a Career “The best place to launch a career is distinctly different from the top 100 best places to work lists. For one thing, what works for a new grad may not always work for an mid career or senior professional. For one thing, new grads are hopefully looking for quick learning opportunities and perhaps some fast career growth and promotion opportunities. Great learning opportunities for a new grad may not be the same as great collaborative opportunities and innovative thinking for a seasoned worker.” […]
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