College to Career

New Survey Shows the Next Generation Embraces Remote Work for College to Career Transition

09 June 2022

DENVER, June 9, 2022 —

  • 7 out of 10 U.S. college-aged adults are likely to consider an entirely remote job

  • 1 out of 4 never expect to hold a traditional 9-to-5 office job, and 85% see themselves holding a side gig

  • 9 out of 10 express anxiety about entering the workforce

A survey released today by Velocity Global, the leading provider of global talent solutions, shows that U.S. college-aged adults embrace remote work in their career transition plans. The College to Career Survey examined 1,000 college-aged respondents’ attitudes on remote work and their work-life balance expectations as they prepare to transition into the workforce.

“The next generation wants to work remotely, balance their ‘personal’ and ‘work’ lives, and prioritize flexibility and mental well-being. Companies should take notice: The old way of doing business is over,” said Sarah Fern, chief people officer at Velocity Global. “Put simply, students want the flexibility to work with anyone, anywhere, anytime, and they expect employers to meet them where they are.”

7 out of 10 college-aged adults likely to consider an entirely remote job

Key findings on remote work:

  • 69% of respondents are somewhat or extremely likely to consider a job that is entirely remote
  • 80% of students would consider taking less money for their job if it allowed a remote option
  • The majority (57%) say being remote increases their productivity
  • Nine out of ten respondents report work-life balance as being either the most important factor (53%) or a somewhat important factor (37%) in selecting a career
  • Fewer than 1 in 5 (18%) say they prefer to work from an office five days per week
  • Fewer than half (44%) of respondents plan to have a traditional (Monday-Friday, 9-to-5) in-person job, and 1 out of 4 (23%) never expect to hold a traditional office job

Impacts on emotional well-being:

The survey also found a large impact on the emotional well-being of respondents as a result of the move to remote work and learning over the last several years.

  • 56% of respondents acknowledged remote work/study negatively impacted their mental health “a lot” (14%) or “somewhat” (42%)
  • 86% reported a high level of stress or anxiety about entering the workforce, including 35% who indicated they are “very” anxious about entering the workforce, and an additional 51% said they are “somewhat” anxious about doing so

Participation in the gig economy:

An overwhelming majority of students intend to supplement their primary job with a side gig.

  • 85% of respondents said they either definitely (27%) or possibly (58%) expect to have a side gig in addition to their primary job

“That number is staggering, and the C-suite needs to harness the possibilities of tomorrow’s workforce who have varied interests, skills, and allegiances,” said Fern. “Talent is telling us how they will succeed, and it includes full-time, part-time, contract, and freelance work - and sometimes a combination of these. It is entirely possible for you to get the best from your talent while they also pursue other interests. It works for both of you.”

International results:

The survey also gathered input from 500 students and recent graduates in the United Kingdom (U.K.) and 500 in Brazil, with very similar results.

  • 72% in the U.K. said they would consider an entirely remote position, and a staggering 85% in Brazil say the same
  • 84% of respondents in the U.K. and 82% in Brazil said they would be willing to consider a position that paid less money if it offered the flexibility to work from anywhere

“These trends with college students and recent graduates in the U.S. are mirrored in other parts of the world, highlighting the accessibility of a global workforce. In the U.K. and Brazil — where Velocity Global clients increasingly seek supported talent — work flexibility is seen as one of the most compelling factors considered when entering the job market,” said Fern.

Methodology:

This survey was conducted on behalf of Velocity Global by Rep Data. All selected samples were subjected to stringent quality control standards, including technological controls such as automatic geographical IP detection, tracking and deduplication, open-end pre-screening, and re-captchas. Rep Data sourced multiple suppliers to ensure a representative sample, each supplier possessing its own unique recruitment model and incentive structure, which increased sample source diversity and quality.

About Velocity Global

Velocity Global accelerates the future of work for anyone, anywhere, anyhow. Its Global Work PlatformTM simplifies the employer and talent experience through its proprietary cloud-based talent management technology, backed by personalized expertise and unmatched global scale. The platform offers a full suite of talent solutions, including global Employer of Record and Contractor Management, to help companies onboard, manage, and pay talent in more than 185 countries and all 50 United States. Thousands of brands rely on Velocity Global to build international teams without the cost or complexity of setting up foreign legal entities or state registrations. Velocity Global was named a "Leader" in Global Employer of Record Services by prominent analyst firm NelsonHall. Founded in 2014, the company has hundreds of employees across six continents. For more information, visit velocityglobal.com.

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