Recently graduated Masters in International Management are particularly interested in employers who value community and don't see people solely as employees. Young professionals appreciate the sense of belonging and support for professional development that comes with working in close proximity at the office. They also commit to an employer for a longer period of time, as long as they are given challenging tasks and opportunities for development. Instead of seeing their career as a predetermined path, recent graduates view it as a series of interesting stepping stones.
Flexible working hours, determined more by necessity than tradition, are important to recent graduates. They are willing to be flexible themselves, working outside traditional office hours when necessary, as long as the employer reciprocates this flexibility when needed.
This information comes from the recent report The Future-Forward Workforce, which reveals what young professionals want from the new world of work. The report is based on a survey of 200 recent Master's graduates from the international CEMS Master's program, along with in-depth interviews. The research participants represent an international group that transitioned to the workforce without experience of the work norms prevalent before COVID-19. Of the respondents, 6% graduated from the Aalto University School of Business, and a total of 18.5% graduated from Nordic CEMS business schools, which include the Aalto University School of Business, Stockholm School of Economics in Sweden, Copenhagen Business School in Denmark, and Norwegian School of Economics in Norway.
Flexibility benefits both the employer and the employee
Future Finnish CEMS alumni recognize the findings of the report.
'Our generation is looking for employers and work practices that carry meaning. Commitment to a company requires not only a solid foundation but also strong values that are reflected in daily life. The reasonableness of working hours and practices is important - the requirement to work in the office loses its meaning if teams do not allocate time for mutual counseling and discussion', says Silja Abildsten, a soon-to-be graduate of the Global Management Master's program.
Similar thoughts are echoed by another soon-to-be graduate student, Anna Song.
'As long as I complete my tasks within the given schedule, it should not matter to my employer how long I stay in the office on any given day. The end result and the outcomes of the work are what matters. I believe that flexibility benefits both me as an employee and my employer, as it enhances employees' autonomy and, thus, motivation', says Song and continues:
'It's great that nowadays there's the possibility of working remotely, as it brings flexibility to life. However, I consider it important to have a physical workplace where I can meet colleagues and establish stronger bonds with both colleagues and the company. As for career plans, I don't have a very clear goal, but rather a vague idea of what I want to do. Each of my jobs has provided me with new knowledge and skills that have opened up new opportunities for me,' Song says.
The academic director of CEMS at Aalto University, Professor Sarianna Lundan, recognizes the students' thoughts.
'The goal of the CEMS program is to prepare responsible leaders who promote a more open, sustainable, and inclusive world. Valuing community and reciprocity reflects this kind of new generation of leadership that we also aim for.'
Aalto University School of Business is the only university in Finland offering the CEMS Master in Management (MIM) programme, which can be completed at Aalto as part of the two-year Master's Programme in Global Management or as a one-year MIM program alongside a master's programme in business as well as in arts or technology.
The link to the full report:
CEMS Future Forward Workforce
