This years graduates want to work flexibly & not in a ‘traditional’ 9-5 job

When starting work, this year’s crop has specific expectations of employers.  The research also threw up that access to technology is important, with nearly half expecting to be able to access email and work files remotely.
An additional 43% feel that access to networking sites such as Facebook or LinkedIn is key as they begin to build up their contact lists for their professional development. This was first revealed in the 2008 Network Citizens report from Orange, completed in conjunction with think tank Demos.
 
The findings also show that the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well among today’s students, with almost one in ten planning to start their own business straight after graduation.
This further reinforces research from Orange’s Entreprenation report, which highlighted Britain as a nation of entrepreneurs, with more than half of respondents having considered setting up or already established their own businesses.
 
Max Taylor, Director of Corporate Marketing at Orange, said, “Today’s graduates are far more digitally savvy than their counterparts of ten – or even five – years ago.  They expect to be able to work on the move and make use of tools like social media and the internet wherever they are. 
Enabling this type of working for the new generation of employees coming into the workplace can be a real asset to businesses.
They’re already fully conversant with the ins and outs of mobile technology, and should be able to adapt their previous experience to help them out when they start work, for example by doing some quick online research on the way to a meeting or finding a contact in their network who can help them get things done.”