Why young professionals choose to grow their careers at Cintas
Today's workforce is rapidly evolving, with a significant portion made up of younger individuals. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 54% of the workforce in the U.S. is made up of Gen Z and millennial employees. Young professionals face many unique obstacles, and as the workforce continues to evolve, it's imperative that companies continue to adapt and make themselves a place where young professionals feel valued, can develop their careers and be a part of something meaningful.
At Cintas, they have been leading the way in this regard, and it hasn't gone unnoticed. This year, Cintas was named to Newsweek's America's Greatest Workplaces for Gen Z and Forbes' list of America's Best Employers for New Grads, awards that are earned from an extensive evaluation process, which involves interviews with current and former employee-partners and peers in the industry.
Hiring and meeting the needs of young professionals is vital to an organization's future, not to mention the new perspectives and fresh drive they can bring to an organization and its culture.
Beth Barney, vice president of talent acquisition at Cintas, knows this to be true, and she and her team are helping to lead the charge in drawing young professionals to Cintas.
'We keep growing as an organization, so we have to continue to hire all sorts of young talent,' said Barney. 'I believe as a company we need to have people who think differently, have different experiences, and have different viewpoints. Young professionals, especially, have new insights, new ideas, and different ways of thinking, and that is how we'll continue to be innovative.'
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The saying often goes, 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it,' but that doesn't mean a company shouldn't consider trying new methods or tactics. Young professionals who are just starting their careers often bring forward-thinking solutions and perspectives, entering with a clean slate.
'Some people have a pet peeve when they hear, 'Well, this is how we've always done it,'' said Barney. 'Young professionals don't have that lens. They're coming in with fresh ideas, enthusiasm, resiliency, and they're unbiased, if you will. They could be the ones to bring the next best idea.'
But what makes Cintas an excellent workplace for young professionals? Firstly, it provides guidance and resources to help them navigate their career, along with a variety of opportunities for growth.
'Cintas provides young professionals with development and guidance that I think is really helpful when you're new and starting out your career and need help understanding how to navigate a company,' said Barney. 'We also have such a variety of diverse opportunities for employee-partners to choose from, and if you decide you want to change paths, you can switch jobs completely without having to change companies. You can continue to build your brand without having to start over somewhere else.
'On top of that, we have tremendous benefits and very attractive total compensation. Those who are new to the workforce are looking to work for a company that they can trust and one that does things the right way, and that's at the core of our culture, that's our DNA. Do things with high morals and ethics.'
Development programs for young professionals
Along with mentorship and a career jungle gym, where you can move from various positions within the company, Cintas offers several different programs for young professionals, including its internship, Management Trainee (MT), and apprenticeship programs.
The internship program provides students who are beginning to think about their careers with hands-on experience and exposure to all facets of the business.
The MT program offers immersive, hands-on training across all company operations, supplying trainees with essential tools and resources for success. After finishing the MT program, trainees are prepared to leverage their strengths and enhance their career advancement.
The apprenticeship program is for those looking to work in maintenance positions at Cintas. It's a way for people with technical abilities who want to learn additional skills to enter and acquire those trade skills, allowing them to take on higher-level roles within the company.
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These programs and offerings have helped shape many of Cintas' current leaders and garnered recognition from publications like Newsweek and Forbes.
'When a third party like Newsweek and Forbes, expert resources in this area, acknowledge us for being a great place for young professionals, it's great because it lets them know they can trust us and that we have that credibility,' said Barney. 'It helps us tell our story and promote what we already believe and know about ourselves, which is that we are an employer of choice.'
The impact and scope of Cintas' programs go beyond the surface and are part of what make the company stand out as a place where young people want to start and grow their careers.
'It can be hard to explain to people everything Cintas does until you get here and see what we are all about,' said Barney. 'What we do is truly special. We help a million businesses every day. We help people have jobs, which allows them to live their lives. That's really meaningful. So, at first, people might think of our trucks and delivering things, but it's really much more than that.'
Investing in young professionals means not only supporting the culture and future of Cintas but also fostering the careers of those who uphold it.
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