New Grads -- Want A Job? Learn How To Work First

By Hank Stringer

Had lunch with a frustrated exec this week I've known for years. He has hired new college grads for years, has seen the process through the past three decades and is concerned that today's grads don't know how to work.

I frowned at such a broad blanket statement and he agreed that it's not true of every new grad, but that overall he has seen a shift, a decline in the willingness to roll up the sleeves and work. Interestingly, he blames me, or at least my generation of Baby Boomers, the MeGen that spent the last 30 years pursuing the easiest paths to success. And for better or worse, we succeeded.