Navigating the move from campus life to the corporate world can pose considerable difficulties for freshers. Nevertheless, organizations hold the key to facilitating a smooth transition. Below are key approaches through which organizations can offer valuable support to freshers during this pivotal period:
1. Encouraging Freshers to Voice Their Ideas:
As a recent graduate embarking on my corporate journey, I started my role as an HR Management Trainee with Elastik Teams. In the initial stages, I found myself hesitating to share my ideas and opinions during corporate meetings. I believed that my primary focus should be on listening and learning from my seniors. This is how we are wired right? From the very first time we take admission in school, we are taught to listen. However, as time went on, I realized the importance of actively contributing and expressing my own ideas and opinions. I understood that by sharing my thoughts, I could gain insights into whether my thinking aligned with the right direction. This realization marked a shift in my perspective, highlighting the significance of encouraging freshers to confidently voice their ideas.
2. Help them get over their fears:
When a fresher enters corporate, they have a lot of fears in their minds. For Example, the fear of not being able to perform well, the fear of not meeting the expectations of the superiors, fear of not being able to fit in, fear of deadlines, fear of making mistakes, etc. Here, the most important role is that of the Reporting manager and the HR. They need to ensure that they are creating a supportive and nurturing environment. Create a culture that emphasizes the importance of collaboration, teamwork, and supporting one another. Encourage employees to actively participate in assisting and mentoring freshers, fostering an inclusive and nurturing environment where freshers feel at ease seeking guidance and support.
3. Onboarding: Crafting an Impactful Introduction
As a well-known saying goes, first impression is the best impression, onboarding is where we as an organisation can win hearts and minds of employees. Onboarding sets the tone for the future relationship with the employee. This is where an employee develops a perspective about the organisation which is then carried forward. Consequently, it is imperative for HR professionals to execute the onboarding process with seamless organization and meticulous attention to detail.
Here are the key elements to consider during the onboarding journey:
4. Appreciating their efforts:
Demonstrate genuine appreciation and acknowledgement for the hard work and accomplishments of freshers. By recognizing their efforts, you can boost their confidence, cultivate a positive work environment, and inspire them to excel further.
5. Providing timely and constructive feedback:
Regularly offer feedback to freshers on their performance. This feedback should be specific, constructive, and aimed at helping them improve. Regular check-ins and performance discussions will enable them to gauge their progress and understand if they are on the right track.
6. Harnessing the Energies of Freshers: Channelling Enthusiasm Productively:
The younger generation is known for their vibrant energy and eagerness to embrace both enjoyment and challenges. Speaking from my own experience as a fresher, we have a strong inclination towards extracurricular activities. Therefore, if freshers have enough bandwidth, these bundles of energy can collaborate with the HR department to plan and organize events such as treks, workcations, team lunches, outings, and more. By engaging in these initiatives, freshers can not only contribute their unique perspectives but also foster a stronger sense of connection and involvement within the organization.
7. Fostering Healthy Competition: Empowering Freshers
At Elastik Teams, we believe in nurturing a culture of healthy competition to drive excellence and raise performance standards. This year, we are thrilled to have a highly enthusiastic batch of 9 Software Development Interns who will be joining us permanently next month.
To set the bar high and challenge their abilities right from the start, we have been introducing various competitions along their journey. One such event was the “App in a Week Challenge,” where the interns were tasked with developing a fully functional app within a week. This intense challenge not only tested their technical skills but also fostered teamwork and time management.
Additionally, we organized “AI Prayojana,” an organization-wide competition that invited participation from all employees at Elastik Teams. The freshers eagerly participated and exhibited their innovative ideas and real-world applications of Artificial Intelligence. One of the winning teams consisted of our talented freshers, showcasing their exceptional skills and creativity.
By engaging in such challenges, the freshers can develop a competitive spirit, gain confidence, and elevate their performance levels right from the beginning of their professional journey.
Therefore, considering the aforementioned factors, organizations have the ability to facilitate a seamless transition for employees as they move from an academic campus environment to a corporate setting.
