It’s hardly surprising that entry-level rotational programs (often called management trainee or leadership development programs) are so enticing to college grads. A rare opportunity to dabble in a variety of departments, they appeal to those who have chosen an industry, but haven’t pinpointed their specific career niche quite yet. What used to be limited to engineers-in-training has broadened to a smattering of industries and fields. The point is to offer employees three-dimensional insight into the company-at-large. And at the end, armed with a wide breadth of knowledge, employees must decide where they wish to spearhead their professional careers.
The length of rotational programs is both company and industry-specific—anywhere from 4 months to 2 years. Managers must determine how long it’ll take new employees to grasp each department’s job functions, as well as acquire the skills necessary to join full-time.
Many employees enter rotational programs with some idea of where they’ll wind up. I’ve heard friends begrudge months in less “exciting” departments, eager to lend their professional juices to the area they'd most prefer to work. But after exposure to various rotations, there’s always the chance you shy away from your original plan in favor of a less-expected sector. And that’s okay! The whole point of the rotational program is to learn--in the thrilling heat of it all---what a department entails, and whether or not it resonates with your skills and interests. For the most rewarding end-result, it’s important to fairly weigh every opportunity and be perpetually open-minded.
The length of rotational programs is both company and industry-specific—anywhere from 4 months to 2 years. Managers must determine how long it’ll take new employees to grasp each department’s job functions, as well as acquire the skills necessary to join full-time.
Many employees enter rotational programs with some idea of where they’ll wind up. I’ve heard friends begrudge months in less “exciting” departments, eager to lend their professional juices to the area they'd most prefer to work. But after exposure to various rotations, there’s always the chance you shy away from your original plan in favor of a less-expected sector. And that’s okay! The whole point of the rotational program is to learn--in the thrilling heat of it all---what a department entails, and whether or not it resonates with your skills and interests. For the most rewarding end-result, it’s important to fairly weigh every opportunity and be perpetually open-minded.
Rotations are also appealing to those in the dark about their professional fortes. For all those with still-hazy aspirations, what could be better than an alternative to the stress of deciding right away? This is all good and true, but there’s also the slight fear that diversifying could be, in a sense, dizzying. With all these experiences under your belt, it might be hard to choose your next job move by the time the program ends.
While being open to the new and unexplored, it’s wise to enter the program with some sort of defined focus. Develop a set of markers for evaluating each rotation and determining its long-term career potential. From there, consider which aspects of the experience resonated with your blossoming interests and which felt less appealing. Do the perks outweigh the less-favorable tag-alongs? And don’t hesitate to raise those all-too-important questions that need to be honestly addressed. Were you excited to plop into your cozy cubicle and revisit yesterday's work, or were you subconsciously ticking off the days until the rotation ended? If it falls somewhere in-between, can you see yourself doing this full-time, without a designated endpoint?
As for me? I was pleasantly surprised to learn that rotational programs aren’t just limited to financial institutions and engineering conglomerates. In fact, they exist across a range of industries, including publishing. Simon and Schuster, one of the nation’s most prominent publishing houses, offers a 12-18 month Associates entry-level rotational program, which offers grads the opportunity to contribute to its various branches: editorial, managing editorial, marketing & publicity, sales, and contracts. My prime publishing experience (as I explored in my last post) lies in editorial---the meticulous reworking of the vibrant literature itself. But given my own evolving interests, and my open-mindedness when it comes to the job hunt, I realize that it might not in my best interest to settle on one specific branch quite yet. Publishing, as I’ve learned, isn’t a simple one-way relationship between editor and author, but an amalgamation of different creative forces, each integral to the production of that next bestseller. I’m realizing more and more that I’m eager to experience the ins and outs of the whole entire process.
And this isn’t just true of publishing. Within just about any field, having an eye for what other branches do cultivates a greater understanding of the entire company, allowing you to best contribute to your individual sector. Thus, rotational programs work in two ways. While funneling your interests into one specific path, this panoramic exposure to a company grants you the versatility and knowledge to create a solid foundation for any future career.
Interested in learning more about rotational programs? Read this article on how to succeed in a rotational program, get the scoop from the Vault College Career Bible, and then come hear a panel of employer reps talk about programs including HR, finance, technology, and more at Tips from Employers: Leadership Development/Rotational Programs, Tuesday, October 4th, 7:00-8:30pm in Dowling 745.
While being open to the new and unexplored, it’s wise to enter the program with some sort of defined focus. Develop a set of markers for evaluating each rotation and determining its long-term career potential. From there, consider which aspects of the experience resonated with your blossoming interests and which felt less appealing. Do the perks outweigh the less-favorable tag-alongs? And don’t hesitate to raise those all-too-important questions that need to be honestly addressed. Were you excited to plop into your cozy cubicle and revisit yesterday's work, or were you subconsciously ticking off the days until the rotation ended? If it falls somewhere in-between, can you see yourself doing this full-time, without a designated endpoint?
As for me? I was pleasantly surprised to learn that rotational programs aren’t just limited to financial institutions and engineering conglomerates. In fact, they exist across a range of industries, including publishing. Simon and Schuster, one of the nation’s most prominent publishing houses, offers a 12-18 month Associates entry-level rotational program, which offers grads the opportunity to contribute to its various branches: editorial, managing editorial, marketing & publicity, sales, and contracts. My prime publishing experience (as I explored in my last post) lies in editorial---the meticulous reworking of the vibrant literature itself. But given my own evolving interests, and my open-mindedness when it comes to the job hunt, I realize that it might not in my best interest to settle on one specific branch quite yet. Publishing, as I’ve learned, isn’t a simple one-way relationship between editor and author, but an amalgamation of different creative forces, each integral to the production of that next bestseller. I’m realizing more and more that I’m eager to experience the ins and outs of the whole entire process.
And this isn’t just true of publishing. Within just about any field, having an eye for what other branches do cultivates a greater understanding of the entire company, allowing you to best contribute to your individual sector. Thus, rotational programs work in two ways. While funneling your interests into one specific path, this panoramic exposure to a company grants you the versatility and knowledge to create a solid foundation for any future career.
Interested in learning more about rotational programs? Read this article on how to succeed in a rotational program, get the scoop from the Vault College Career Bible, and then come hear a panel of employer reps talk about programs including HR, finance, technology, and more at Tips from Employers: Leadership Development/Rotational Programs, Tuesday, October 4th, 7:00-8:30pm in Dowling 745.
1. Buttering the bread: oh, such a thorny one. When I see fresh, hot rolls plopped on a table, my first instinct is to grab one, slab on mounds of butter, and devour it in three bites. Tempting? Yes. Attractive to an employer? Not quite. To master the messy realms of the bread roll, break it apart in small pieces, butter ONLY one piece at a time, and eat slowly and in small bites. Also--a tidbit I didn’t know. When you pick up the bread-basket, the polite thing to do is offer it to your dining companion before you lunge for it yourself.
