“What’s missing in this young recruit’s career?” I asked.

“I don’t know,” Arlene replied. “All she seemed interested in was how many vacation days she is going to get.”

“Why do you think she is focused on her vacation days? What’s missing? What was missing in her work before she came to your company two months ago? And perhaps is still missing in her work?”

“I don’t know,” admitted Arlene. “It is pretty basic, entry level work. Perhaps there really isn’t that much to focus on, except how much vacation comes with the job.”

“You might be right be right about the job,” I agreed. “But what about the work?”

When guiding a young recruit, it’s important to help them see beyond the basic duties of their role and understand the bigger picture.

Often, employees new to the workforce can become fixated on the immediate rewards—like vacation days—without recognizing the deeper value of the work itself.

This is where solid mentorship comes into play. Instead of simply filling a position, the recruit should be encouraged to find meaning in the tasks, build a sense of purpose, and connect their efforts to the overall mission of the organization.

At Teresa Duke Consulting, we’ve found that employees thrive when they’re encouraged to engage in continuous learning and development.

Helping new hires understand how their role contributes to the company’s goals fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.

This kind of guidance isn’t about offering perks or taking shortcuts. It’s about nurturing the mindset of growth, where the work itself becomes a pathway to both professional success and personal fulfillment.