Express Employment Finds Over Three-Quarters of Grads Leave First Job in First Year

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most grads leave job in first year Franchised staffing company Express Employment Professionals has released survey findings that reveal how long recent college graduates stay in their first job after graduation.

More than three-quarters, 77 percent of franchises surveyed, said they expect a recent graduate to stay less than a year in his or her first job. Only 23 percent think the average graduate stays for more than a year.

“These survey results bring to mind a couple of trends that we’ve seen for years now. First, many in the Millennial generation are taking jobs that they are overqualified for and thus are eager to move on when something better appears. Second, we’ve seen a decrease in employees’ commitment to employers as a higher value is placed on personal advancement,” said Bob Funk, CEO of Express, and a former chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City.

“If employers want recent grads to stay on board long-term, they’re going to have to find ways to make their companies more attractive. It’s true that the ‘grass isn’t always greener,’” continued Funk, “but this generation seems plenty willing to go check out the grass on the other side. Employers, take note!”

When asked “In your opinion, how long does the average recent college graduate (graduating within the last 18 months) stay in their first career job following graduation?” employers responded:

2014 vs. 2013
Less than 3 months 4 percent vs. 0 percent
3 to 6 months 10 percent vs. 16 percent
7 months to 1 year 63 percent vs. 58 percent
More than 1 year 23 percent vs. 26 percent

By Joshua Bjerke