#12: Onboarding New Talent: From University to Industry

Two industry experts share their views and advice on bridging Academia and Industry.

In this episode of The Learning Curve, Kenny is joined not by one but by two guests: Prof. Peter Konhäusner, VP of Gisma University, and Jeffery Lovejoy, Talent Acquisition Team lead at GotPhoto. During the interview, they help us to understand the challenges for new talent when going from the University to the Industry . Their insights are invaluable to both new talent and L&D professionals.

Key Take-aways:

Evolving Curriculums:

• T-shaped skills (broad foundational knowledge + deep expertise) are essential for today's workforce.
• Digitalization and face-to-face interactions must coexist for optimal learning.

Recruitment Challenges:

• Over-reliance on AI-generated applications can hinder authenticity.
• Cultural fit, emotional intelligence, and collaboration skills are as vital as technical expertise.

Partnerships Between Academia and Industry:

• Collaborations with companies (e.g., Google, Zalando) include hackathons, workshops, and guest lectures.
• Universities benefit from feedback to refine curriculums, while companies gain early access to talent.

Advice for Students:

• Focus on developing soft skills: empathy, communication, and time management.
• Gain familiarity with data analytics, emotional intelligence, and hybrid work collaboration.

Advice for HR Professionals:

• Invest in junior talent to ensure a sustainable and innovative workforce.
• Build relationships with universities to align academic programs with industry needs.

💬 About the guests:

Prof. Peter Konhäusner is the VP of the Gisma University of Applied Science and Jeffery Lovejoy is a passionate Talent acquisition Lead. Both Peter and Jeffery have collaborated in the past to address the gap of new talent going from University to Industry. Both are striving to close the gap by critical questioning existing processes and offering new and innovative solutions.