For many people, the first images of
Earth sent from space in the late
1960s ushered in a global awareness that has only intensified with the advent
of TV, the Internet and cell phones.
Suddenly, the world has become smaller
and there’s a greater feeling that “we’re
all in this together.” The global economy
and global awareness have left many
businesses more conscious of the environment and the impact that individual
actions can have on the rest of the
world.
As a result, today’s employers are seeking employees who are more than just
“task-masters” — who are globally
aware and willing to give back to society
in some way, according to Sister Mary
Bookser, the coordinator of service
learning at the College of Mount St.
Joseph, and Liz Seager, the college’s
career development coordinator.
Smart Business spoke with Bookser
and Seager about the ways that colleges
are preparing students to work in the
global economy and how employers
benefit from this trend.
How can an employer benefit from hiring
employees who are more globally aware?
Seager: In order to function globally,
students need the skill sets that liberal
arts colleges offer, and employers have
started to value such an education.
Employers can teach employees the ins
and outs of their business, but employees who bring a global awareness and
skills such as the adaptability to
change, critical thinking, problem solving and recognition of the importance
of diversity generally make for successful employees.
Sister Bookser: Obviously, multinational companies benefit from hiring
employees who have an understanding
and appreciation of different cultures
and world views. These companies, in
particular, need employees who are
willing to travel, learn the culture, learn
simple greetings in the local language,
and possibly even live far away from
home.
How are colleges preparing students to
work in the global economy?
Sister Bookser: Many colleges have
seen the need for students to get out of
their own local way of thinking and get a
more global perspective through culture-and service-immersion courses where
students get experience with, and exposure to, other cultures. Some colleges
provide opportunities for students to
earn course credits while studying
abroad for a semester.
Seager: Colleges often include cultural
awareness and diversity as a part of their
mission, so that filters down into the curriculum. Whether you’re taking a psychology, a basic career development or even a
business class, each learning objective
will include a global component.
What should an employer that is seeking a
globally aware work force look for when
interviewing and hiring?
Seager: I recommend that employers
be on the lookout for a breadth and
depth of experience, including co-ops or
internships. Employers can also look for
students who have had an opportunity
to travel abroad or participate in an
alternative spring break, during which
they performed community service.
These experiences demonstrate adaptability, flexibility and a willingness to try
new things. When looking at volunteer
experience, employers should look for
those who were willing to push themselves out of their comfort zone by
working with groups of people who are
different from their peers.
Sister Bookser: It’s also important to
look for prospective employees who
have had some kind of service learning
experience where they had an opportunity to participate in a community-based
service that tied into their coursework.
This shows an awareness of the importance of civic engagement and a desire
to integrate life, their beliefs and values,
and their learning.
How can employers best use their globally
aware employees?
Sister Bookser: The desire to give
back to the community has become an
important part of many businesses,
whether or not they consider themselves
to be global companies, so hiring
employees who share this interest helps
them to further that part of their business mission. Many companies are recognizing that not only is it the right thing
to do, but it also makes good business
sense to be a good corporate citizen.
Seager: Globally aware employees are
looking for a lot of stimulation. Even
companies with a purely local customer
base should find out where their employees’ strengths are. And if they’re globally
aware, don’t chain them to their desks.
Give them service projects to coordinate.
The globally aware employee is constantly looking for the next challenge and the
next way to use his or her strengths. It’s
important to keep those employees
engaged and give them the opportunity to
try new things and be challenged.
SISTER MARY BOOKSER is the coordinator of service learning at the College of Mount St. Joseph. Reach her at (513) 244-4634 or [email protected].
LIZ SEAGER is the career development coordinator at the
College of Mount St. Joseph. Reach her at (513) 244-4484 or
[email protected].