(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Rebecca Cook, Indiana University and Eric D. Johnson, Indiana University

(THE CONVERSATION) Today's graduates start their job search with a belief that they should enter their company or industry of choice immediately after graduation. At least that's what we've observed in our experience advising thousands of college students over the years on how to launch their careers.

Research has shown that younger millennials and older Gen Zers – that is, those born between 1990 and 1998 – a...