Many employers and HR managers often face a question of whether they should hire students. What would be the benefits of such employees for the company? Will there be any problems? In this post, there will be some answers to these questions. So, let's get straight to the pros and cons of hiring a student.
Advantages
1. It is easier to "create" a perfect employee from scratch
Whether you want it or not, but all the people drag their professional background to their new job; all the work habits, norms and rules that were present at their previous work, will be present at your office, as well. For example, if a person worked with a strict schedule for several years, it will be hard for them to adjust to the flexible schedule and organize work in the optimal way. Or, their previous bosses might not like any initiative and people got used to do only as said and offer no suggestions.
Without doubt it is much easier to make your own specialist out of a student than to retrain people with clear professional views.
2. Student is a source of new ideas
What do the ordinary workers' days look like? That's right: home-work-home. Their days consist of different routines. If they live in a big city, add long way from home to work and back. Most of people have one desire when they get home - to rest and not to think of work.
Students' life has another schedule. They have classes, constant interactions with professors and other students, conferences, exhibitions and other things that provoke creative thoughts. They are light on their feet; their views are less conservative and they are more curious about everything.
3. They ask for less money
Naturally, you can pay students less as they have no working experience and they usually are too modest to ask for more. Besides, they may have classes and work part time, which means you can pay them even less.
4. Additional benefits
- If you create some product and your target audience are young people, having a student working for you can be very helpful. They know what young people want and need.
- Hiring a students, you can feel good about yourself as you've helped a young person to start their career path.
Disadvantages
1. Absence of practical experience
The first point in Advantages can also be seen as a disadvantage. Students with no experience will find it harder to deal with tasks. Everything will be new to them. They may be not used to serious commitment and responsibility.
2. Big risk of missing deadlines
There are different kinds of working students. Some of them study and have an unimportant job and some have a job and study to be better for it. If you get the first kind of student, who values college more than your job, you probably won't be able to avoid missing deadlines.
3. Business trips are unlikely
An average employee sees a business trip as kind of a vacation - you can change your surroundings and rest from office routine. Students may be not as excited, especially if they have exams during the time of this business trip.
So, these were the possible pros and cons of having a student as your employee. The choice is yours, though. There are many side factors that can influence your decision. Take them all into account and good luck with your searches.
