UH grads making good impressions in the work force

It’s a good time to be a new college graduate. Companies across the Houston area are seeking the knowledge and enthusiasm recent college graduates offer.

“Most companies look for a willingness to work hard — that energy that comes when you’re out on the job market for the first time,” said Rebecca Rutledge, University of Houston career counselor for internship and pre-law students.

Many local companies find just what they’re looking for in UH graduates. Thanks to the campus’ diverse population, its graduates provide a unique pool of job candidates.

“A lot of our students have jobs while going to school, and this is attractive to prospective employers,” Rutledge said.

Another benefit gained from hiring young professionals is that they often are willing to relocate. Rutledge said that because many of them don’t yet have spouses or children, they are more “mobile” than prospective employees with more established lives.

There are drawbacks, however, to hiring recent college graduates.

“Many of these students don’t have a sense of work ethic yet,” Rutledge said. “They also aren’t used to getting up every morning, and there is a tendency to do more socializing on the job.”

One of the most common mistakes made by young professionals, she said, is that they don’t ask for more work when they finish one project.

“This is an area where University of Houston students thrive,” Rutledge said. “Since many of them have been working for years while completing their degrees, they have the experience other new employees lack.”

Among the top recruiters seeking UH graduates for entry-level positions are Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Schlumberger and the U.S. Census Bureau. According to David Small, assistant vice president for student services, these companies and others have praised the job performance of UH graduates.

“Companies are pleased with our students because their maturity level is often higher than students from other universities,” Small said. “We have a lot of older graduates who have juggled their education with jobs. Companies appreciate that they have some real-world experience under their belt.”

Each year, Small surveys more than 200 companies that have hired UH graduates.

Companies are asked questions regarding any changes in curriculum they propose and how well the students were prepared for the job, among others.

Karleen Barron, regional recruiting manager for Enterprise, said many UH graduates hired by the company had completed internships before landing a full-time job, making the transition after graduation a smooth one.

“So many UH students have had part-time and full-time jobs while they were completing their degree,” Barron said. “When they come here, they already have the work ethic and are ready to do their jobs.”

Leticia Vasquez, Editor
lvasque5@central.uh.edu