Dive Brief:

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is high school and college students' top "dream employer," according to the National Society of High School Scholars' (NSHSS) 2018 Career Interest Survey. The employer edged out Google for the top spot this year, while local hospitals, Amazon and the Walt Disney Company rounded out the top five.
• NSHSS is an academic honor society for high-achieving high school and college students. Survey respondents were members of the Gen Z and millennial generations, and the 11th annual survey showed a higher interest in healthcare than in previous years, according to the group: St. Jude was among six other healthcare organizations chosen. Survey responses also showed strong interest in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
• "Through the 2018 Career Interest Survey, we see that Generation Z has high expectations of themselves, as well as their employers," said NHSS president James W. Lewis in a statement. "We noticed four distinct themes throughout this survey focused on economic security, STEM, politics and purpose, as well as expectations for their career path. They are digital natives looking for security, purpose, a meaningful career, and work-life balance when trying to find their place. Companies should take notice when pursuing this talented generation."

Dive Insight:

Employee expectations are shifting, and it's not only Gen Zers and millennials making these demands. When PwC’s millennial employees were leaving in droves because of a lack of flexibility, the company conducted an internal survey. It found that "millennials want more flexibility, the opportunity to shift hours — to start their work days later, for example, or put in time at night, if necessary. But so do non-millennials, in equal numbers."

Likewise, meaningful work topped employee wishlists in a Globoforce-IBM study released last fall. Other studies show that employees value organizations that share their passion for doing good. Workplaces that demonstrate such passion through corporate social responsibility initiatives can attract like-minded workers. Providing volunteer opportunities for employees can serve as a retention tool also.

HR leaders who can spearhead the creation of a culture offering what employees value most will most likely come out on top in the competition for talent.