„The survey confirmed huge demand in companies, for example, for electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, or transportation fields—and of course also IT. Those who graduate in such fields, whether from secondary or university studies, don’t have to worry about finding a job and can look forward to a very decent starting salary, according to the HR professionals surveyed,“ said Radek Schich, director of GTS Alive.

Graduates of technical fields can soon move into attractive positions shortly after training, such as nuclear power plant operators, specialists in European railway signaling systems, or experts in banking cybersecurity. This is largely because there is a shortage of these professionals. For example, last year, two of the most prestigious Czech schools in electrical engineering and energy produced only six graduates in one highly sought-after field—power engineers—who could then choose among attractive employers nationwide.

However, opportunities are also opening up for graduates outside technical fields. For instance, Komerční banka hires graduates for positions such as banking advisors or in their contact centers, and McDonald’s Czech Republic hires not only for restaurants but also for its headquarters. Similarly, the HP Tronic holding, which includes brands like Datart and ETA, offers fresh graduates positions in stores, gastronomy operations, warehouses, or at the headquarters. Although about 70 percent of jobs at ČEZ are technical positions, graduates with backgrounds in law, economics, business, accounting, and other fields also have opportunities.

Most HR professionals agree that the expectations, demands, and needs of young graduates have changed in recent years. While previously salary and career growth played key roles, today graduates are more concerned about when they will be home to build their private lives. They also want to work on projects that make sense to them and where they can make a concrete difference. Sustainability is important to many, so companies that have bumblebee habitats on their roofs, use electric cars, and offer vegan company cafeterias are highly appealing.

HR professionals appreciate today’s graduates for their innovative problem-solving, enthusiasm, eagerness to learn new things, straightforwardness, openness, efficiency, and ability to ask important questions that longtime employees may no longer consider.

On the other hand, some graduates struggle with excessive demands and a lack of humility. According to HR professionals, some expect salaries and conditions immediately comparable to experienced employees who have dedicated ten or more years to the company. Some graduates closely guard their rights and entitlements and choose only what benefits them, showing less willingness to go beyond their duties. They may also place too much emphasis on their free time, even when projects are urgent. Some employers also notice specific negative impacts of COVID-19 shutdowns and remote learning on graduates’ knowledge.

Work is no longer the center of life for graduates. They don’t want to work overtime—even if well paid—and prefer to travel and have flexibility and freedom. Compared to previous generations, they prefer a more individualized approach and need enough space for independent decision-making.

Since graduates—especially in technical fields—are in short supply today, large companies organize many activities to connect with them during their studies, such as lectures, seminars, excursions, and paid or unpaid internships.

For example, McDonald’s Czech Republic currently has interns in Learning & Development and IT departments at its headquarters. The Railway Administration organizes a technical workshop for 20 university students from partner faculties, eight of whom will be selected for a special three-month paid internship program, culminating in job offers. ČEZ annually takes 300 secondary school students for three days and 60 university students for two weeks at a nuclear power plant. Similar programs for students are organized by Komerční banka and many other companies.

Starting salaries for graduates vary by tens of thousands of crowns depending on the position. For university graduates, salaries in large companies typically range from around 25,000 CZK up to 50,000 CZK for very specialized niche positions. Very rarely do graduates start at more than 60,000 CZK including all allowances and benefits, mainly in specific fields like IT. Generally, HR professionals say that graduates today are more confident than before, aware of their value in the job market, and often unafraid to ask for higher pay.

Notes for editors:

The company GTS Alive s.r.o. issues and manages student cards ISIC and pupil cards ISIC Školák (ISIC Scholar), teacher cards ITIC, and occasionally other cards in the Czech Republic. The company was established in August 2000. Its predecessor in the Czech Republic was GTS International. GTS Alive s.r.o. is part of the international group GTS Alive Group, headquartered in Prague, with branches in seventeen countries across four continents.

Through the chip identification system ISIC PORT, GTS Alive also provides a number of primary and secondary schools with access security to their buildings and an electronic attendance system. The company also mediates travel or accident insurance for students, among other services.

For more information contact:

• Jan Šimral, media representative of GTS Alive
• Phone: +420 737 944 370
• E-mail: info@jansimral.com