College students looking for a job after graduation have changedthe way they look at potential employers, according to a recentstudy.
A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employersrevealed that students rank integrity and stability among the mostimportant traits in an employer.
"These criteria were ranked similarly in last year's surveyresults," Marilyn Mackes, NACE executive director, said in aprepared statement. "However, in the 2002 and 2001 surveys,integrity rated seventh, stability eighth and ethical businesspractices ninth."
Companies lacking in these qualities could be destined for themausoleum of past corporate entities.
"If a company has good leadership, employees can follow that andreflect the same values," said Brandi Leatherwood, senior musicbusiness major. "If a company doesn't, there's no example tofollow."
Karen S. Hayes, director of Career and Employment Services atThe U of M, urges students to gain as much knowledge as possibleabout employers to find a company whose standards measure up totheir own.
"(Students) want to work for a reputable company that hasintegrity and is going to be around for a while," Hayes said.
Loyal employees who work for companies that don't practiceresponsible and ethical business techniques could end up gettingfinancially wounded in the long run if company business isn'thandled properly.
Enron was once the seventh largest firm in the nation. Butinequities surfaced after only 15 years, when inflated profits andthe alleged bribery of tax officials ultimately alienated bothemployees and investors
"I usually don't go for the Internet companies or the companiesthat have just started. I like to go for companies that have beenin business for a long time and have a good reputation," saidLeatherwood. "They (Internet companies, etc.) come in fast and goout fast, too."
Other criteria students were asked to rank, along withintegrity, stability and ethical business practices, includedopportunity for advancement, good benefits package, job duties,continuing education and training opportunities, co-workers,starting salary offer and geographic location.
