A veteran edtech leader who hires shares his inside look and why he’s hopeful.

GUEST COLUMN | by Jason Wilmot 

Current college seniors have certainly faced a challenging journey. They enrolled in higher education during the pandemic, just after their high school years were abruptly interrupted by school shutdowns. They likely spent a significant portion of their college experience engaging in remote learning. Now, they are getting ready to step into the professional world in a time of deep uncertainty. Alongside worries about the economy, the impending influence of artificial intelligence on numerous sectors raises questions about the future of work and job security.

However, there is reason for optimism. I’ve been an edtech leader for two decades and frequently hire candidates who are early in their career. I believe that recent college graduates may be much better prepared for the workforce than they think they are.

‘However, there is reason for optimism. I’ve been an edtech leader for two decades and frequently hire candidates who are early in their career. I believe that recent college graduates may be much better prepared for the workforce than they think they are.‘

Yes, the professional landscape is changing quickly. However, the experiences that these soon-to-be college graduates have had, while challenging, may not necessarily be a disadvantage. If they embrace the positives of those experiences and commit to learning and working hard, they can still find success. Here are some of the characteristics I look for when hiring:

Structured Independence. The ability to operate independently is a huge strength and a key trait that recent graduates bring to the table. They’re entering the professional world with a wealth of experience in remote work. They’ve shown the capacity to maintain motivation and complete tasks without immediate supervision. They’ve tackled problems in a structured way, independently and in collaborative groups. Staying on task, managing school projects, engaging in group assignments and presentations, they’ve collaborated using technology to complete a task. All these experiences hold significant value in the professional realm.

I also appreciate candidates who have a diverse set of passions and interests that they pursue independently. I believe that broad experiences and knowledge lead to stronger teams and better ideas. It’s easy to think that the best way to prepare for a role in tech is to focus narrowly on internships and other experiences in the industry. These certainly can help, but great candidates who exhibit a more holistic range of experiences can often be more successful. Did you learn a new programming language during the pandemic lockdown? Do you volunteer with a local organization? Did you start a club? Do you play sports? Did you drive a hot dog-shaped truck around the country as part of a job for a meat company, as one of my recent new hires did? Don’t overlook the value of those experiences on your communication and collaboration skills.

Curiosity. A common question I get asked is whether I consider proficiency in AI skills as a prerequisite for hiring. The reality is, right now, there’s no definitive measure of AI proficiency. The technology is evolving at such a rapid pace that we’re all in a constant state of learning and adapting.

However, it’s a huge positive when a candidate has used AI tools. It demonstrates curiosity. When working in tech, it’s important to stay on the cutting edge – but that doesn’t always mean formal courses or training. Instead, I want to hire folks who are genuinely curious about new technology and see its potential. How can it make me more efficient? How can it improve the quality of my work? How can it help me prioritize and stay organized? Especially for recent graduates, I’m more interested in their mindset than their skills. After all, when it comes to technologies like AI, we’re all still students.

Visual Communication. In a visual world where so much of our communication happens remotely, the ability to present your ideas in a compelling and creative way is increasingly crucial. At Canva, the final step in our hiring process involves candidates completing a project and presenting it. We’re on the lookout for creativity and authenticity; we encourage you to take risks and let your personality shine. Animations, videos, and engaging graphics to tell a story with data are all welcome.

Recent graduates are in a prime position to excel in this area. They are constantly communicating through visuals – not only in their classes, but also through social media platforms like LinkedIn, TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram. If they can intentionally refine their design skills and enhance their visual communication abilities, it’s a significant advantage.

The process of applying for that first job after college can seem daunting. However, recent graduates should not be disheartened. Their experiences and the challenges they’ve overcome have helped them to develop many skills that are extremely valuable in tech. If they lean into those skills while still being open to learning and adapting, they will find that they are not just ready, but well-prepared to make their mark in the tech world.

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Jason Wilmot is Canva’s Head of Education. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn.

The post College Students, Don’t Despair: You May Be Better Prepared for the Workforce Than You Think appeared first on EdTech Digest.