Empowering Young Professionals: Strategies for Engagement and Growth in Summer Jobs.
Nathalie Brodard
Entrepreneur l Board Member l Keynote Speaker l Forum des 100 Alumna
As we reach the end of July and summer is already well underway, many of you may have already hired some young professionals for summer jobs or are planning to do so before the summer ends. Navigating the unique dynamics of young professional employment requires expertise, patience, and a genuine commitment to mentorship. Success varies; sometimes it's great, other times average, but that's fine. We're all here to learn, right?
Do you remember when you were 16, 17, or 18? Did you work during the summer? I did. I used to work in a factory, waking up at 5:30 am to be there by 6:30 am. I recall one particular morning when I was staying at my boyfriend’s house. Knowing it would take me nearly two hours to get to work, I honestly didn’t want to go. I dreaded the factory’s smell, heat, and the monotonous nature of the job. I stayed in bed, hoping to remain unnoticed., but then my boyfriend’s father came into the room, gently but firmly insisted I get up, and sent me to work. At the time, I was furious, but looking back, I’m grateful he did. Finishing that job taught me persistence and responsibility. In addition to factory work, I cleaned schools, worked in shops, and babysat... Was I interested in these jobs? Not at all! But they provided me with money, resilience and a sense of freedom.
Summer jobs offer valuable opportunities for young professionals to gain experience, and develop skills. However, engaging teenagers can present unique challenges that require thoughtful consideration and proactive strategies. It's natural for young professionals to experience fluctuations in engagement as they explore new environments. Will they be fully committed? Not sure. Will they know what to do and how to do it? Not sure either. Will they communicate if they don’t know? Some will, others won’t, and that's okay!
It's crucial to remember that many young professionals have never worked in an office environment before; they may not be familiar with workplace norms. Creating a supportive environment is essential for their and your success.
"Employing young professionals requires more than just providing a job; it demands mentorship, patience, and a genuine commitment to their growth."
When it comes to summer jobs, several factors can influence their engagement:
Initial interest vs. reality: They may enter a job with initial curiosity or peer influence but may struggle to maintain enthusiasm when faced with the realities of the role.
Skill development: Some tasks may require skills that they are still developing, leading to frustration or uncertainty about their abilities.
Balancing responsibilities: Managing academic commitments, social activities, and personal interests alongside a summer job can pose challenges to consistent engagement.
What you can do as manager?
Foster Engagement:
Structured onboarding: Implement a structured onboarding process that introduces young professionals to the job environment, team dynamics, and specific tasks. This helps set clear expectations from the beginning.
Skill development opportunities: Offer training and skill development sessions tailored to the job requirements. Providing opportunities for growth and learning can increase their confidence and engagement.
Feedback and recognition: Provide regular feedback on their performance and acknowledge their achievements. Positive reinforcement encourages continued effort and improvement.
Flexibility and support: Recognise the need for flexibility in scheduling and tasks to accommodate their academic and personal commitments. Showing understanding and support fosters a positive work experience.
领英推荐
Handling Expectations:
If a young professional doesn't initially meet expectations:
Redirect Tasks: Assign them different tasks like analysis or assisting with administrative work. Keeping them engaged is crucial.
Maintain Engagement: Treat young professionals with humanity and kindness, regardless of initial performance.
By taking the opportunity to mentor and guide young professionals, you not only contribute to their personal and professional growth but also gain valuable insights yourself. Our experience at Brodard Executive Search with hosting summer interns has been profoundly rewarding for everyone involved.
What has your experience been with mentoring young professionals? Which strategies have you found effective in keeping them engaged and motivated? I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Happy Summer !
NB
?What's Next? Dates to be confirmed.
Fabulives
Ateliers HMIF
Hire Me I'm Fabulous
If my journey has inspired you, I'd love to hear your thoughts or questions or just click the "Subscribe" button for more insights and stories like this one.
EM Registrar with a background in Medical Leadership, Digital health and Finance. Passionate about tech innovation, startups and improving efficiencies in all walks of life. Views are my own.
4 个月Thank you for my first finance sector summer internship opportunity so many moons ago Nathalie Brodard ! Will never forget that - and clearly you were a great mentor as was Milena Jakupovic as am still in touch with you both after over 2 decades!
Brand and Customer Experience Strategist
4 个月Great article, Nathalie.
Sorted parcels at the post office between 8pm and 12am during my summer holidays, working night shifts because it paid twice as much as day time. Always had supper at the 1st McDo in ???? before going to work. Used my salary proceeds to pay for the engagement ring of my 1st wife.