What Do you Mean, I have no experience?

I am disgusted! Somehow I received this preconceived notion that once I graduate college with my Bachelor’s degree, I would be able to obtain a career that would lead to advancement opportunities. Of course I understood that my degree in Psychology would probably have to be advanced, but until then I started looking for something to start me along the career path.

What I found was a lot of road blocks. Sure you can send your resume out to many businesses but the one criterion that was on everyone’s list was experience. Not just an internship experience either. They wanted three or more years experience in the field. Which I would have no problem with, except how was I supposed to gain experience if no one would hire me for lack of it.

There are too many newly graduated college students working in retail and food service. Too many times they are looked over for jobs they are more than qualified for due to the fact that someone does not want to take the risk of employing a different type of employee. STATS

Besides that how much better of an employee will it really make me if I have worked under someone else for a couple of years and know how they wanted me to operate. What if your company operates differently and I am hesitant to change my ways? Could there be a possibility that I am burnt out of the profession but I thought that changing companies would help? How I did at the other company cannot truly reflect my ability to work for my new employer.

Sure I understand why it is necessary, and that perhaps it might make the employer’s task a little easier training-wise. However, what I see is that they are missing out on a valuable opportunity to train “fresh meat.” To teach someone the basics and not have to un-teach them things from their other job.

Ideally these new employees, without or with minimal experience, would be newly graduated. Students right out of college are also typically more driven and career oriented. They do not require a huge pay scale, although if you offer they are very appreciative. There is a lot of fresh book knowledge and new ideas they can bring to the table. Plus many are very flexible because they have not been engrained to monotonous responsibilities people gain over a life-time.

I believe employers are losing out on this opportunity and overlooking the fact that these “inexperienced” perspective employees are the future. Sure eventually someone will give them their break, but why let them get the advantage in the future when you can take advantage now. Talk to and interview them, you might be surprised at how much they do know despite having a full resume’. Take on the challenge of trying someone new, more than likely you won’t be disappointed with the product. I urge you to do your part in contributing to the career advancement of the younger generation and creating a new and improved workforce for the future.