Latest news with #ClassOf2025
Forbes
3 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Graduating Into Uncertainty: Why Skills-Based Hiring Matters
As organizations continue to face growing skills gaps, HR teams are starting to rethink what a 'qualified' candidate looks like. By Lara Albert, Chief Marketing Officer, SAP SuccessFactors Graduation season is here, and for the Class of 2025, the usual mix of excitement and anticipation comes with an added layer of anxiety. These grads are entering one of the toughest job markets in recent memory, marked by economic uncertainty, hiring slowdowns, and rising competition for junior roles as AI displaces entry-level positions at an accelerated rate. But uncertainty is nothing new for the Class of 2025. These students applied to colleges during a global pandemic, spent formative years learning in hybrid or remote classrooms, and are now witnessing AI reshape the future of work in real time. According to research, of the 57% of seniors who entered college with a 'dream job,' fewer than half have that same goal today, and more than half report feeling pessimistic about starting their careers in the current economy. This wave of uncertainty presents an opportunity for both employers and graduates to adapt. For HR teams, it's a chance to rethink how early talent is identified and supported, shifting the focus from traditional credentials to skills and long-term potential. For graduates, it means continuing to build new skills post-graduation, especially those that AI can't easily replicate, and staying agile in a fast-changing job market. As organizations continue to face growing skills gaps, HR teams are starting to rethink what a 'qualified' candidate looks like. Traditional markers like degrees, GPA, or prior experience don't always reflect someone's true potential and can unintentionally screen out capable candidates, especially those who've followed nontraditional paths. That's why leading organizations today, like Capgemini, Grundfos, Frit Ravich, and SAP are investing to adopt skills-based hiring. By evaluating candidates based on their capabilities—what they can do, not just what they have done—organizations can uncover hidden potential, expand their talent pools, and open doors for candidates who may not follow a conventional path but offer tremendous value. In turn, skills-based hiring helps organizations build a workforce that's resilient and future-ready. In fact, two-thirds (64.8%) of employers surveyed by NACE reported that they already use skills-based hiring practices for new entry-level hires. By focusing less on resumes and more on real-world potential, grads gain a better shot at landing roles where they can grow and thrive, and organizations benefit from employees who can adapt and drive ongoing innovation and business success. A skills-first approach creates a more equitable and effective way to identify talent —highlighting ability over background, and uncovering value both externally and within your existing workforce. Here's how to get started: Rethink job requirements: Start by identifying the core skills needed for success in open roles. Many job listings include degree or experience requirements that may unintentionally exclude qualified candidates. Focus on must-have skills that will drive performance. Use skills-based assessments: Integrate practices like case study exercises or skills assessments into interviews rather than relying solely on candidates' resumes, educational background, or screener interviews. Increase skills visibility: Equip hiring managers with technology that makes it easy to see the skills a candidate has and where they align with organizational needs at scale. This allows for faster and more strategic hiring decisions. If you're graduating this year, don't let uncertainty hold you back. You may be entering a shifting job market, but your resilience, adaptability, and fresh perspectives are skills and qualities employers value. Here are a few ways to stand out: Lead with transferable skills: Communication, critical thinking, adaptability, and collaboration are among the most valued and transferable skills. These skills are in high demand and are often hard for AI to replicate. Show, don't tell: Use internships, job assignments, or volunteer work to demonstrate real world applicability of your skills. Portfolios, personal websites, or even social media content can bring your experience to life and give employers a tangible sense of what you can do. Embrace life-long learning: Learning doesn't stop when you graduate. Show prospective employers you're committed to growth by taking advantage of free or low-cost courses that help you build valuable new skills. Be flexible: Your first job is a steppingstone, but it doesn't define your career path. Stay open to opportunities that help you gain experience, even if they don't perfectly align with your dream job aspirations. This year's graduates are entering a job market in flux, but with the right tools and mindset, both HR teams and early talent can turn uncertainty into opportunity. Discover how SAP SuccessFactors helps organizations adopt skills-based hiring strategies.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Jespersen: Grief, grace and goodbye
I had other plans for this column. Around this time each year, I usually write something to commemorate the end of another school year; a reflection of what teams around Gaylord have accomplished and a thank you to all that have made another year special (a 'thank you' you all still deserve). This one was going to be a little different, looking back on the first graduating class I had seen go from freshman when I first arrived in 2022 to high school graduates in 2025. This isn't that column. On Saturday, June 7, in-between the Gaylord softball regional games, I received a text that one of my best friend's younger brother, Patrick McElroy Govan, had tragically passed away at just 27-years-old. Through his older brother Bradley, I had my own relationship with Patrick, as throughout my trips to the Govan household, Pat had become almost like an adopted little brother to our high school friend group. This week, I watched his family have to say goodbye to him, a truly good man gone way too soon. Outside of dredging up dormant memories, reuniting with friends I haven't seen in years and the many, many tears shed for one of my best friends, this past week has put so much of life into perspective. Now, I need to say my goodbyes to the Class of 2025. Right now? Yeah, right now. Like I mentioned, I had other plans for this column; however, if I have to say goodbye right now, I think I need to add a little bit more. So, in lieu of my traditional 'goodbye', I'd like to leave my first freshman class with a bit of wisdom that, at least I think, Patrick would approve. When I first went to the Govan's household and met Patrick, the first thing I learned about him was this quirk that Bradley could not understand. "His favorite college? Michigan," said a young Brad Govan. "His second? Ohio State." Being the college sports fanatic I was, I spent much of our first meeting trying to explain why those are conflicting interests. Patrick didn't care. Patrick liked what Patrick liked. Years went by and we never changed his mind. What did change his mind? Eventually becoming a student at Michigan State, leaving both Michigan and Ohio State in the dust. It was quirks like that; his passion for Legos and K'nex, his love for EDM music and everything in between that made Patrick such a unique character. Those quirks that have filled the stories of Patrick's life this week, something small in each anecdote that makes you say 'yep, that's Patrick.' It's so easy to do the opposite; to hide those things that make you different, to become someone you're not in hopes of finding acceptance somewhere else. I implore you, and I think Patrick would as well, to leave that mindset in high school. Be yourself, and be proud of it. The memories you make and the people you attract will be that much better, more meaningful and more memorable. One of the things that has become very clear in the past few days is how easy it is to lose touch with people you truly care about. Unfortunately for many of my high school friends and I, we have been treated to the worst kind of high school reunion, having to catch up with so many people while dealing with the worst of circumstances. Many of you in the Class of 2025 are going your separate ways in less than two months. While social media allows us all to stay somewhat plugged in to each others lives, its no where near a substitute for real, face-to-face conversations, something that will become very difficult to have with even your closest friends soon enough, at least on a regular basis. So, as you feel it becoming easier and easier to skip a phone call, not text back and slip out of touch, don't; fight that urge to let things slip, even when it's inconvenient. Losing your little brother at 27 is something no older sibling deserves. While I watched my good friend deal with an unimaginable trauma, I've been truly impressed with how well he and his family seem to be holding up. And, while I know everyone handles grief differently, I can't help but think that the memories Patrick left with them have been helping to keep their emotions from overwhelming them. And man, its hard to fathom a 27-year-old making as many memories as I've heard shared over the past few days. And not just the mental memories; photos, videos, audio recordings, anything that the Govans have been able to share have been either laugh creating or tear jerking, all cherished and none lost. As the Class of 2025 goes out and joins the world, I want you all to remember that; take those pictures, those videos, keep them and keep them close. You never know when a random 15 minute clip is the last you'll ever have. Goodbyes are never easy. I think now, for the time being, I've said enough goodbyes. Contact GHT Sports Editor Dylan Jespersen at Djespersen@ Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @dylanjespersen, and Instagram, @dylanjespersen This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Jespersen: Grief, grace and goodbye
Daily Mail
14-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Celebrate your Class of 2025 Grad with keepsakes from Shutterfly: Cards, invites, & more!
Got a Class of 2025 Grad in your life? If so, this is for you! When it comes to celebrating life's milestones, from birthdays to graduations, making memories last is a top priority. That's why Shutterfly makes keepsakes that last a lifetime. Shutterfly Make this graduation season shine with customized printed goods from Shutterfly! The trusted destination for all things photo is bringing the fun this season with invites, decor, thank you notes, and beyond all ready for your personalized touch. Explore their vast catalog today and order quick while there is still time to celebrate the Grad's in your life! Explore More Shop Whether you are in the market for one-of-a-kind invitations, thank-you cards, or paper-based decor — Shutterfly is one of the biggest leaders in customizable printed goods. This graduation season, make your loved one shine with personalized pieces starting at as low as $1! ANNOUNCEMENTS Basic Namesake Graduation Announcement If you are looking for a simple but chic announcement this one is it! With big block letters and a stunning front photo, this is the perfect cost effective way to let everyone important to you know that you have a 2025 grad. This option is especially great for high school graduates who have taken senior photos! Starting at $1.03 Shop Shining Style Graduation Announcement Graduation should be all about fun and future — and these announcements totally are! Send off your grad with a bang when you order these completely personalized cards that include not one but three photos, names, dates, and more. If you are looking to really highlight senior photos, we highly suggest this pick! Starting at $2.03 Shop INVITATIONS Swaying Tassel Graduation Invitation Let the party begin! This year you can celebrate your grad by sending out tailor made invitations to their party. We love this simple but fun tassel design that is a popular pick on Shutterfly. Add your seniors photo, name, and more! Starting at $1.03 Shop Party Cap Graduation Invitation Looking for something simple but effective? These customizable but relatively basic invites are a great option for saving money while still sending out a classy invite. You can change the wording, add dates, times, and much more to make your invites unique to you! Starting at $1.03 Shop KEEPSAKES Photo Strip Landscape Desktop Plaque Have a kiddo graduating this year? We know it can be an exciting but emotional time for parents as graduation rolls around which is why we recommend this desktop plaque! Remember your kids special day forever with dates, photos, and even customizable phrases all starting at just $28. $28 Shop DECOR Classic Class Showcase Yard Sign Many participate in the grad tradition of throwing a big bash in honor of the recent grad. If you find yourself planning a party for a grad this season we can not stress enough how FUN this outdoor sign is! Customize the date, the photos, the names, and more to make the perfect party decor that will make any grad feel honored. $25 Shop
Al Bawaba
13-06-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Abu Dhabi University Celebrates Graduation of 18th Cohort Across Five Colleges
Abu Dhabi University (ADU) proudly celebrated the achievements of its 18th cohort of students from the Class of 2025, including a distinguished group of graduates recognized for their outstanding academic achievements . The milestone event honored students from five colleges and more than 50 majors, reflecting ADU's over two-decade journey of shaping future-ready leaders from across the world. This year's diverse class included graduates from over 100 countries, reinforcing the university's role as a global hub for inclusive, high-quality education that supports the UAE's vision for a knowledge-based, innovation-driven society. The ceremony was attended by Professor Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, along with university leadership, college deans, and members of the academic and administrative Ghassan Aouad, Chancellor of Abu Dhabi University, said: 'This year's graduation is not just a celebration of academic achievement, it is a celebration of diversity, resilience, and future potential. Our graduates have not only excelled in their fields but have done so during a transformative time for education, both globally and locally. Their success reflects ADU's strategic focus on equipping students with the multidisciplinary skills needed to lead in a rapidly evolving world. As the UAE continues to position itself as a global hub for innovation and education, we are proud to contribute by developing the next generation of thinkers, creators, and changemakers.'In a speech addressed to the graduates, Prof. Ghassan said: 'ADU is proud of you, just as your families are. As graduates of one of the top 200 universities globally and the second-ranked university in the Arab world, according to the Times Higher Education Rankings 2025, you are exceptionally well-positioned for success. This academic milestone opens doors to exciting opportunities both here in the UAE and internationally.'Reflecting on the milestone, the graduates said during their speech said: 'We are walking into the future shaped by challenges but also filled with possibility. ADU has not only given us knowledge but also the courage to lead, to question, and to create. Today, we don't just celebrate our academic success, we carry forward the values of integrity, innovation, and community that will guide us in building a better world.'They added: 'Our journey at ADU will forever remain in our hearts. This university opened windows of knowledge and creativity for each of us in our respective fields, nurtured our talents, and enriched our experiences. We take great pride in the education and knowledge we have received at the university, and we extend our heartfelt thanks to the faculty and administrative staff, our parents, and everyone who contributed to this journey.'Degrees were conferred across undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels in disciplines including engineering, business, administration, law, health sciences, and arts and sciences. The celebration also comes as ADU expands its academic portfolio with 20 new future-focused programs launching in Fall 2025, designed to prepare students for careers in emerging fields like artificial intelligence, digital transformation, public health, and 2003, ADU has proudly graduated over 32,000 students, many of whom now serve in influential roles across a wide range of industries both in the UAE and around the world. Through its multicultural academic community and future-forward programs, ADU continues to support the UAE's strategic goals in education, inclusion, and sustainable development, while fostering a culture of academic excellence and innovation.
Fast Company
10-06-2025
- Business
- Fast Company
Seven strategies to help the class of 2025 succeed in the AI workplace
If you're a member of the Class of 2025, you're entering a workplace unlike any before you. While your predecessors had to adapt to email, social media, and cloud computing, you're stepping directly into the age of artificial intelligence. This isn't just another technological shift. It's a fundamental reimagining of how work gets done. Instead of being a victim of disruption, you have the opportunity to position yourself as an architect of an AI-powered future. Several recent studies indicate that companies effectively integrating AI achieve productivity gains of up to 40%. However, many organizations struggle with implementation, not because the technology isn't ready, but because of a lack of a workforce skilled in leveraging it. This presents an unprecedented opportunity for you as a digital native who views AI not as a threat to manage but as a tool to master. Focus on Partnership, Not Replacement Start by recognizing that AI isn't coming for jobs per se. It's automating a wide range of tasks. While AI will automate certain functions, it will simultaneously create new opportunities and roles. Instead of fearing AI as a job-stealing technology, you should see it as a valuable partner that can help you work smarter and more efficiently. To succeed, you need to identify routine tasks within your role that AI can handle. This could include drafting initial reports, analyzing data patterns, or researching industry trends. Your goal is to employ AI to eliminate time-consuming work and invest that saved time in high-value activities like strategic thinking, relationship building, and creative problem-solving. As soon as you start your new job, audit your responsibilities and ask: 'Which of these could be automated or AI-assisted?' Then experiment with the available tools in your organization. Most importantly, communicate your AI-enhanced productivity to your supervisors—they need to see that you're not just working faster, but delivering higher-quality strategic thinking. Invest in Continuous Upskilling Then you need to commit to continuous learning. The half-life of technical skills is shrinking rapidly. What you learned in your senior year may already be outdated by the time you've been in your first job for just a few months. As futurist Alvin Toffler predicted decades ago, 'The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.' You're living this reality in real-time. You must treat your first job as an extension of your education, not its conclusion. The most effective approach is to create a structured learning plan: Dedicate time weekly to exploring new AI tools relevant to your industry, enroll in online courses that build both technical understanding and business application skills, and seek out internal projects where you can experiment with AI solutions. Don't wait for your company to provide AI training—take the initiative. Join professional associations focused on AI in your field, attend virtual conferences, and connect with other professionals who are successfully integrating AI into their work. Document your experiments and insights; this portfolio of AI experience becomes increasingly valuable as your career progresses. Become the Translator Perhaps the most valuable role you can play is serving as an interpreter between AI capabilities and business needs. Many senior executives understand AI's potential in theory but struggle to see practical applications for their specific challenges. Meanwhile, technical teams can build sophisticated AI systems but may miss crucial business context. You're uniquely positioned to bridge this gap. To capitalize on this opportunity, develop the skill of translating technical capabilities into business language. When you encounter AI tools or capabilities, practice explaining them in terms of business outcomes: cost savings, revenue generation, risk reduction, or customer satisfaction improvements. Position yourself as someone who can identify automation opportunities that others might overlook. Look for repetitive processes, data analysis tasks, or pattern recognition challenges within your organization. Then propose AI solutions in terms that resonate with decision-makers: 'This could save us X hours per week' or 'This could improve accuracy by Y percent.' Your ability to recognize and communicate these opportunities makes you indispensable. Embrace Your Ethical Responsibility With great power comes great responsibility, and you're inheriting both. As AI becomes more prevalent, your generation of business leaders will shape how it's deployed. This isn't just about efficiency gains—it's about ensuring AI serves humanity rather than replacing it. You should already be grappling with these ethical dimensions. Make yourself valuable by understanding both the opportunities and risks of AI implementation. Learn to ask the right questions: How might this AI system impact different user groups? What data privacy concerns does this raise? How do we ensure transparency in automated decision-making? Develop expertise in responsible AI practices. This means understanding bias detection, fairness metrics, and explainability requirements. Companies increasingly need employees who can implement AI solutions that meet not just performance criteria, but also ethical and regulatory standards. Position yourself as someone who thinks holistically about AI deployment. Amplify Innovation Through AI Your most exciting opportunities lie not in using AI to perform existing work more quickly, but in envisioning entirely new possibilities. You're not burdened by 'that's not how we've always done it' thinking, which makes you a natural innovator in this space. Consider AI-powered customer service that provides genuinely helpful support, or predictive analytics that identify market opportunities before competitors spot them. The applications are limited only by your imagination and execution. You should see AI not just as a productivity tool, but as a creativity amplifier. Leverage Your Fast Fish Advantage Klaus Schwab's warning rings especially true for your generation: 'In the new world, it is not the big fish which eats the small fish, it's the fast fish which eats the slow fish.' You have a natural speed advantage—you're not slowed down by outdated assumptions or resistance to change. Your success will depend on combining velocity with wisdom, embracing AI's potential while thoughtfully considering its implications. You're the one asking not just 'what can AI do?' but 'what should AI do?' Grasp the Opportunity As artificial intelligence reshapes the business landscape, you stand at a unique inflection point. You can choose to be a passive observer of technological change, or an active architect of an AI-powered future that benefits everyone. The early evidence suggests your generation is choosing the latter—and that choice will define not just your career, but the future of work itself. The AI revolution isn't coming—for you, it's already here. The question isn't whether you'll adapt; it's how quickly you'll lead. Your generation doesn't just have the opportunity to ride this wave of change—you have the responsibility to shape it. The time to act is now.
