Examines the various concepts of an entry-level job and presents some survey data on occupational entrants that provide some insight on this issue. A table gives total number of entrants, number without experience, and percentage without experience for more than 160 occupations. (JOW)

Ratings by two panels of southeastern U.S. business executives revealed the following: (1) communication ability was most important for business graduates; (2) practical knowledge was valued more than theory; (3) personal qualities were more valued than computer/math skills; and (4) total quality management was important, but globalization and…

Intensive care unit nurses formed a learning group led by an experienced nurse to develop skills and knowledge about trauma. Multiple strategies included lectures, demonstrations, literature review, audiotapes, and case studies. After 4 months, novices improved their ability to perform procedures and skills. (SK)

Informal learning among workers takes place continuously. Companies that want to capitalize on it should encourage communities of practice and mentoring and eliminate communication barriers. (SK)

The research reported in this paper examined the role of welfare reform in increasing the availability of entry-level workers to meet the rising demand for long-term care employees. Findings from national and statewide evaluations of welfare programs show mixed results in the extent to which beneficiaries could be shifted from welfare caseloads to…

The National Study of New Professionals in Student Affairs is a year-long study of the transition of 90 new professionals to their first full-time job in the field. Data collection for this qualitative study was conducted monthly through an online survey system. We report findings of the study that bear on graduate program curricula,…

In 1996, the Oregon University System (OUS) conducted the first systemwide survey of recent (1994-95) bachelor's degree recipients. Changes in Oregon's economy in the preceding decade led to concerns about the preparedness of college graduates as they entered the work force. The purpose of this study is to assess an OUS college experience from the…

Information technology auditing has become a career in high demand in recent years due to factors such as increasing compliance requirements with regards to information technology governance. Nonetheless, many information technology, management information systems, and accounting information systems educators may not have paid significant…

Employers' perceptions of beginning office workers' problems include lack of knowledge about the labor market, inability to assess personal qualifications and skills, unrealistic occupational aspirations, use of interview techniques, interpersonal relations and work attitudes, and lack of knowledge about those personal qualities and factors…

Describes a study to identify the writing criteria that will assist entry-level accountants in writing acceptable reports and memoranda. (JOW)

Responses from 181 accountants and 74 human resources professionals (14.2% response rate) identified areas in which they feel entry-level accountants are deficient: verification of computations by hand and the level of job and internship experience, especially with computers. (SK)

A study following five new nurses during the first 6 months of practice explored development of conceptual, theoretical, and practical knowledge. Participants had been educated in a behaviorist paradigm emphasizing task performance over critical thinking. Thus, they did not critically challenge assumptions or question theoretical constructs…

Survey responses from 255 of 800 human resource development managers identified 8 business understandings/competencies for new trainers: preparing presentations, writing business correspondence, using computers, understanding employee behavior, making speeches/presentations, knowing principles of group process and organizational behavior, and…

In a survey, 88 of 120 Iowa extension agents with fewer than 5 years' experience rated training in human behavior and program development/evaluation as most needed in orientation. Topics selected were meeting staff, time management, motivation, and teaching methods. More individualized and varied methods for training delivery were preferred. (SK)

Offers a list of 12 things that the author wishes beginning reporters knew. (SR)