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“I caught myself comparing my trajectory with my friends’ in the years immediately after graduating. Especially in the choice to continue education and watching the separation of ‘starting life.’ If you are discontent, seek guidance; otherwise, celebrate others’ victories.”
Luis Herrera (’18), Eating Recovery Center, Primary Therapist in Denver, CO
If you currently work with or manage Gen Z employees, one of the best ways you can keep them engaged is through regular feedback.
Rather than waiting weeks or months to tell them that they need improvement or to do something different, Gen Z wants to know immediately! Specifically, they value feedback that’s timely, collaborative, empathetic, and balanced.
Read more in this latest piece from the Washington Post at the link in our bio or stories!
https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/04/10/gen-z-feedback-work/
How well do you handle ambiguity at work? 🤔🤷🏻♂️🙅🏽♀️😬
Ambiguity at work might include solving problems that don’t have a simple solution, working on complex tasks that are completely new to you, figuring out expectations or processes, and being an in-the-moment creative thinker.
A recent study found that while many Gen Z grads and young professionals believe that having the skills to manage ambiguity is important, many of them aren’t receiving the training or support to actually develop these skills at work.
How can managers support Gen Z employees in developing this critical skill? Through ongoing coaching and feedback. 🔄
How can companies support the development of this skill? By training and coaching managers on how to support their employees more effectively, and providing mentorship and supportive developmental relationships for young/new employees. 🤝
Gen Z, how can you improve your skill set around managing ambiguity? ⬇️
▪️Ask for the information that you need while also taking the initiative to solve problems and come up with solutions
▪️Challenge yourself by taking on tasks or projects outside of your comfort zone
▪️Seek out the feedback that you need at work (from managers, colleagues, mentors)
▪️Build relationships with mentors, advisers, and colleagues who can provide advice, support, and help you navigate ambiguity at work
Read more on this topic in an article written by Michelle King for Fortune at the link in our bio or stories!
At some point in your life after Wake, you have asked or will ask yourself if you should go to graduate school. 🎓📚
Before taking the leap, consider whether or not a graduate or professional school degree is the right choice for you! 💡
Here’s what we often tell @wfualumni to think about:
💵 Your current financial situation.
⚖️ Whether or not a specialized degree is needed or required for the next step in your career (advancing in your current path or for changing careers completely).
📌 If you’ll need to work (full-time or part-time) while pursuing another degree, or if quitting your job completely is possible for you.
🏢 Are the graduate programs you’re interested in offered remotely, part-time, full-time, and what situation works best for you.
💻 Is a graduate degree the only way to increase your skill set and expertise – or are there alternatives through trainings, certificates, or online courses?
We love this recent article from BetterUp that offers a detailed list of things to consider and questions to ask yourself before pursuing graduate school. Read the full article at the link in our bio or stories!
https://www.betterup.com/blog/is-a-masters-degree-worth-it
This past week our team enjoyed participating in 🎩Pro Humanitate Days🎩 volunteer projects, including building beds in collaboration with “A Bed and A Book” organization, a clean-up at Odd Fellows Cemetery, and trash pick-up at Shaffner Park in Winston-Salem.
Whether you participated in a specific Pro Humanitate Days project or not, we hope you’ll continue to engage in meaningful opportunities to give back to your community!🌎
Many thanks to our wonderful colleagues in @wfualumni Office of Alumni Engagement for organizing practical volunteer opportunities across the country (and world) for fellow Deacs to give back! 👏👏👏
#goodwearsblack🎩 #prohumanitatedays
Miss last month’s Wednesday Webinar on salary negotiation with @wfualumni Austin Belcak (‘13) of @cultivatedculture? It was fantastic, and packed with practical strategies for getting the salary (and other perks) you want. 💰💸
Check out this quick clip and then hop over to the link in our bio or stories to watch the full webinar recording! 📲
The first few months in any new job role are a critical time for figuring out what you should be working on, what’s expected of you, and how to be successful. 👩🏻💻💼💻💡📝📌
So where should you begin? A great tool to help you do this work is a 30-60-90 day mindset! 🧠
Whether you’re a new employee or onboarding a new hire, adopting this goal-oriented mindset is a great place to start.
Learn more about how to start work well in this piece for Psychology Today written by our Assistant VP and @wfualumni Allison McWilliams (‘95) at the link in our bio or stories.
https://alumni.opcd.wfu.edu/2024/03/adopting-a-30-60-90-day-mindset/
In Gallup’s most recent data on U.S. employee engagement, they found that younger generations in the workplace (specifically Millennials and Gen Z) are more disengaged than older generations. 📉
So how do organizations and managers engage young professionals in a post-pandemic workplace that is often remote and/or hybrid?
Read the full article at the 🔗 in our bio and stories, and ➡️ keep swiping through this post to see Gallup’s latest recommendations for inspiring and keeping younger workers in your organization.
https://www.gallup.com/workplace/610856/new-challenge-engaging-younger-workers.aspx
We know that most jobs are landed through WHO you know and not just applying for roles online. So what is the most effective way to build networking connections with recruiters and employers at organizations of interest to you?
Check out this short Wednesday Webinar recording featuring WFU alumna Katie Hooper (‘14) and get insight directly on how to do this well from an executive recruiter.
Watch the recording at the link in our bio or stories.
It’s unlikely that your first job is ever your dream job. However, each work experience is an opportunity to learn more about your strengths, interests, and values.
In this past Wednesday Webinar, career expert and WFU alumna Chelsea Keen (‘12) offered up strategies for turning your strengths into your next job and doing more of what you love at work.
Watch the recording at the link in our bio or stories.