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Generation Y Sought By Employers

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By LAURA FRAZIER, The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 17, 2007

BRANDON - Karry Edmonson and Ashlynn Tegreeny ambled through the hallways at Hillsborough Community College on Nov. 8, but they weren't lollygagging on their way to class.

The freshmen attended the Greater Brandon Chamber of Commerce Job Fair at the campus to fulfill an assignment in their career decision-making class.

About a dozen businesses pitched employment opportunities to a fluid crowd of 50 or more students at a time. Edmonson and Tegreeny stopped at each booth to collect leaflets and speak to employment recruiters.

"We're supposed to talk to the vendors about the pay and benefits, you know, the things we're interested in. Then we have to pick one job and write a report about it," Tegreeny said.

Edmonson, who is considering a nursing career, lingered at healthcare company DaVita's booth.

Linda Cullings, a registered nurse and administrator with DaVita, briefed students on career opportunities with the company, which operates 11 dialysis centers in Hillsborough County.

"We have quite a few patient care technician positions open, with no experience necessary and extensive training provided," Cullings said.

Under the supervision of registered nurses, care technicians take patients through the entire dialysis process, from weighing and monitoring the patient to monitoring equipment.

Although the company gets plenty of job applications, Cullings said, "It's a hard job that's not for everyone," resulting in high turnover.

Finding and retaining long-term employees is also a challenge for Molly McKinley and Mylitta McKnight, who staffed the Bright House Networks booth.

McKinley said the company receives a constant barrage of resumes and applications, but young candidates committed to a career in customer service are hard to find and harder to keep. She said companies across the board are brainstorming for ways to recruit and retain dedicated, long-term employees from Generation Y.

"We need to keep this generation of workers engaged and entertained," McKnight said. "We're learning that they get bored, and they expect us to be their cheerleaders and their spirit team. That's what we need to do to tap into this generation."

"We're constantly struggling to find the best of the best," McKinley added.

The annual job fair is sponsored by The Tampa Tribune and the Brandon News & Tribune.

Reporter Laura Frazier can be reached at (813) 657-4523 or lfrazier@tampatrib.com.

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