A new global report from CEMS – the Global Alliance in Management Education – indicates that recent graduates are transforming the contemporary workplace. The report, titled “The Future-Forward Workforce,” highlights the evolving expectations of young professionals and the responses from leading employers.
Community and Office Life
Despite widespread assumptions, the report reveals that recent graduates still cherish office life, valuing it as a critical space for community building and professional development. They express a willingness to commit long-term to an employer, provided that certain conditions, such as challenging roles, growth opportunities, and a responsive company culture, are met.
Flexible Work Schedules
These young professionals are advocating for flexible work schedules, favouring fluidity based on demand rather than the traditional 9-5 routine. They are amenable to working outside standard office hours if their employers offer reciprocal flexibility.
Career as a Series of Stepping-Stones
The report notes that graduates view their careers as a series of stepping-stones rather than a rigid, predetermined path. This perspective reflects their understanding of the world’s fluid and unpredictable nature, focusing on the next decade instead of long-term plans.
Purpose and Impact
Graduates are increasingly seeking work that holds personal significance and impacts their communities positively. They desire a balance between professional and personal growth, underlining a holistic approach to their careers.
Adapting to Attract Talent
To attract and retain top talent, leading employers are modifying their practices. The report gathers insights from a quantitative survey of recent CEMS graduates and in-depth interviews with young professionals. It also includes perspectives from senior experts among the 70 CEMS Corporate Partners and 33 business school partners worldwide, discussing how they are adapting their practices to align with the expectations of the new workforce.
Industry Leaders’ Insights
Nicole de Fontaines, Executive Director of CEMS, remarked: “These insights from our CEMS graduates reveal a workforce ready to embrace change, driven by purpose, and eager to balance work with personal growth. While of course we cannot speak for every graduate, these perspectives can offer valuable guidance for companies aiming to recruit and retain top young talent.”
Susanne Iser, Director of Strategic Recruitment & Talent Acquisition at Beiersdorf AG, a CEMS Corporate Partner, added: “I have a super positive attitude to the new generation in the workplace. I think they bring a freshness and new and healthy ideas about the world of work. They have a more holistic work concept, looking at work as an integral part of life. They are courageous, they know what they want and can articulate it. They have trust in themselves and have worked hard to ensure they can make the most of their education. For companies, the learning is that we must listen to what they want; if we don’t, they will move on, with no hard feelings.”
Francesca Morichini, Chief HR Officer at Amplifon, echoed these sentiments: “Young people are clear they want to find purpose in their work and enjoy it. Having an impact on their community is very welcome and helps us know what we need to do to engage with them. However, it is important to balance needs and wants with an understanding of the requirements of the business. There are some actions, contents, or ways of working that are required to make the business work and perform.”
“The desire to be valued and heard is something we perceive very strongly in our young people, and it’s critical for us to build this into our culture. We value young people who want to share, speak up, and have an opinion independently of their seniority. Having a bold and empowered workforce can only help the organisation.”
Unlocking Potential through Open Exchange
Leonard Bussee, President of CEMS’ Student Board, stated: “I am proud to be a future CEMS graduate and, more so, take pride in the community I represent. What transpires from the report is that our programme manages to create transformational and emboldened leaders who look towards the future with clear vision. They recognise the changing work environment and emerge confidently without fear of what might come, but rather with unmatched excitement about their ability to shape workplaces suitable for themselves and their peers.
“As the report shows, our graduates present incredible potential to the companies that hire them. I am grateful for our Corporate Partners and all companies who realise said potential and challenge our young professionals to provide value for their organisations. The future of work is approaching at a rapid pace, and it takes an open exchange about desires and demands from all sides to unlock the full potential of what can be achieved.”
The CEMS report underscores the importance of adaptability and open dialogue between young professionals and employers to unlock the full potential of the future workforce.