Insights

With campus recruiting going virtual, students may be overwhelmed with emails, social media posts, and overall “Zoom fatigue.” On top of that, employers who are competing for top college talent will likely all be facing the same limitations in terms of technology, and many are still encountering a steep learning curve as they try to create engaging online presentations.

Spring 2020 was an unprecedented time in higher education. Thousands of campuses across the country took their classes online to adhere to social distancing measures, policies which persisted for the remainder of the semester and culminated in virtual graduations for the Class of 2020.

Internships are a great way to introduce promising students to your company while also providing valuable work experience, and this remains true for remote internships. In addition to day-to-day tasks, part of the internship experience is a range of engagement opportunities for the interns. Beyond the standard summer outings and after-work social hours which are now all being done virtually, the opportunity for interns to meet and hear from company leaders is one of the most important parts of any internship – and students know that. In fact, research from RippleMatch found that one of the top concerns of students taking part in remote internships is that there won’t be opportunities to forge strong connections with senior leaders. To mitigate these concerns and provide interns with a valuable and fulfilling summer experience, it’s important to go the extra mile to connect interns and senior leaders. Looking for ideas? Here are six:

As we enter the fourth month of coronavirus lockdown, Pride is looking a little different this year: parades, marches, parties, volunteer events – all cancelled. If your company typically has a full slate of activities planned throughout June to celebrate Pride Month, you might be scratching your head, wondering how to show collective support for your LGBTQ+ employees and broader community without in-person gatherings.

The death of yet another unarmed Black man – George Floyd – at the hands of a white police officer has sparked national outrage. As protests continue nationwide, millions of Americans are affirming that Black lives matter and are demanding change. Companies are also adding their voice to the conversation by releasing public statements that they stand with the Black community and are committed to contributing to meaningful change.

Since the novel coronavirus began its spread throughout the U.S., many folks, including neurodiverse and disabled employees, have been advised to work from home. For many first-time remote employees and managers, there’s been an adjustment period to adapt to group video calls and altered meeting structures. With the spike in remote work, there’s no shortage of tips on how to maximize the productivity and success of remote work. But just like in the office, managers should be proactive about ensuring the working environment is inclusive for all employees.

Most college students have spent the last few months of the semester finishing their classes online. Now, many of them will be launching their careers from behind a computer screen, too. According to the Navigating Entry-level Jobs & Internships During COVID-19 report released by RippleMatch last month, 46% of students said that their entry-level job or internship would be starting remotely. For most students, the switch to a remote work environment has not had a significant impact on their excitement about a new job.

COVID-19 has dramatically shifted college students’ summer plans, especially those who were planning to embark on internship programs. In early April, RippleMatch conducted a survey of 2,210 college students to learn the status of internship programs and entry-level positions that were slated to begin at the end of the academic year. Of the respondents who had secured an internship, 12% reported that their program had been canceled. However, most of these students had a nuanced take on the situation, especially how the change in plans affected their opinions of their would-be employers.

College students who, a few months ago, had secured a job or summer internship are now faced with a vastly changed world. The advent of COVID-19 means that students are beginning their careers with delayed start dates, remote work, or the disappointment of having their programs canceled. RippleMatch recently surveyed 2,210 college students to learn not only how their professional plans have changed, but also to understand the impact of how Gen Z now perceives their future or would-be employers based on the decisions companies made regarding commitments to jobs and summer internships.