Month/Year of Graduation

5-2025

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Department

Marketing and Management

First Advisor

Dr. Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles

Abstract

As the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic dwindles, companies that had leveraged Work from Home (WFH) flexibility are now implementing Return to Office (RTO) mandates. While 70% of employees prefer a hybrid work model, 61.4% are expected to work full-time in-office due to these mandates, leading to widespread employee discontent. This study investigates whether such dissatisfaction extends to new graduates entering the workforce. A pilot survey revealed that 68% of new graduates prefer a hybrid work modality, yet 52% stated that work modality would not significantly impact their job decision-making process, and 46% said they would be unlikely to leave a company due to an RTO mandate. These findings were supported by interviews with recruiters across various work environments, including one at a company with an RTO mandate, and a new graduate seeking full-time employment after experiencing different work modalities. The results suggest that while new graduates do prefer flexible work environments, other factors weigh more heavily in their career decisions. These insights offer valuable perspective for companies aiming to attract and retain new graduate talent in a post-pandemic landscape.

Download

Share

COinS