High pay isn’t the top priority for students who are evaluating potential employers
Higher pay may not necessarily attract students to working for a company, according to a recent survey by KPMG International. Students ranked an organization’s values and vision for the future as top considerations when evaluating potential employers.
More than 8 in 10 (84%) said they would not work for a company whose values did not align with their own. Some 92% also said that in choosing their first employer, it is important for the organization to have an “exciting” vision.
“Values and purpose are major drivers of employment consideration and engagement. Students today expect flexible career paths -- whether that means working in multiple countries or across different parts of an organization. They are seeking careers with meaning and purpose and they are prepared to go where the opportunities take them,” said Rachel Campbell, global head of people with KPMG International.
Results included opinions of 4,165 business and STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) students across the world.
Students still placed competitive pay and benefits as one of the top factors in choosing an employer – but 79% said working for an organization with a strong sense of purpose was more important than earning the highest salary possible.
Results also showed a global mindset – more than half (65%) expect to work in between two and four countries in their career, while another 27% anticipate working in more than four countries.
“The survey reinforces that millennials are especially motivated to do work that benefits society and to be part of an organization that they feel is making a positive impact in the world. This is very much coupled with an ambition to learn, master skills and gain experience rapidly so that they can progress their careers,” said Iain McLaughlin, head of global resourcing, KPMG International.
