12 tips for government agencies hiring students, recent grads into early career warehouse and logistics jobs

Mention warehouse and logistics jobs to a typical college or university student or recent graduate and they’re likely to conjure up images of vast warehouses run by organizations such as Amazon, United Parcel Service, FedEx, and others. Such an image is absolutely fair, as a lot of jobs — early career or requiring years of experience — in the occupational fields of warehouse and logistics do exist in facilities like those.

A lot of warehouse and logistics jobs, however, also exist in very different-looking facilities run by very different organizations. Government agencies, for example, have their own warehouses, often for documents but sometimes for consumer goods and even boats, cars, and planes. Sometimes, the warehouses are used to store property belonging to and to be used by the government agency itself, while other times the property is being held by the government, including for inspection at ports or for use as evidence in a criminal proceeding. And some of the jobs, such as those in logistics, don’t take place in warehouses at all but, instead, in traditional office environments with workers coordinating the movement of property.

In an effort to help government agencies recruit students, recent graduates, and other early career candidates into warehouse and logistics roles of all types, we gathered invaluable advice from a dozen human resource managers, CEOs, and other hiring experts. From offering graduate support and progression to creating competitive internship opportunities, here are their suggestions.

• Offer Graduate Support and Progression
• Highlight Technological Advancements
• Target Recruitment and Communicate Benefits
• Collaborate With Universities for Development
• Showcase Cutting-Edge Technology in Roles
• Emphasize Community Impact and Service
• Promote Career Growth and Technological Use
• Rebrand Warehouses as Tech-Forward Workplaces
• Demonstrate Work’s Societal Impact
• Provide Student-Loan Repayment Assistance
• Showcase Career Stability and Advancement
• Create Competitive Internship Opportunities

Offer Graduate Support and Progression

Be transparent with the level of support that you’re willing to give recent graduates in the role. 

For many graduates, this will be their first (or one of their first) jobs after leaving college and looking to start their career, and they need to know that they’re going to be supported both professionally and personally in regards to steady development. 

It helps to also show a defined progression path, particularly for those looking to work in logistics over the long term.

Wendy Makinson, HR Manager, Joloda Hydraroll

Highlight Technological Advancements

From a logistics expert’s perspective, one key piece of advice for a large governmental agency to attract college students and recent graduates for warehouse and logistics jobs would be to emphasize the technological advancements and innovation within the field. Many young professionals are drawn to careers that offer opportunities to work with cutting-edge technology and contribute to process improvements. 

Highlighting how modern warehouses and logistics operations utilize advanced software systems, robotics, automation, and data analytics can pique the interest of tech-savvy graduates. Also, showcasing how these roles contribute to larger supply chain efficiencies and have a tangible impact on national operations could appeal to those seeking meaningful work.

Adam Lenhart, Managing Partner, Optimum Supply Chain Recruiters

Target Recruitment and Communicate Benefits

I often hear from college students and recent graduates that they struggle to find meaningful job opportunities, especially in the warehouse and logistics industry. I have seen firsthand the value that young professionals bring to our organization. That’s why my advice to any large governmental agency looking to attract top talent in this sector is simple: prioritize your recruitment efforts to target college students and recent graduates.

You see, it’s important to understand the motivations and aspirations of this demographic. Many college students and recent graduates are eager for job opportunities that provide hands-on experience, growth potential, and a sense of purpose. They want to feel like they are making a difference and contributing to something bigger than themselves.

I recommend clearly communicating the benefits and opportunities your agency can offer them. Highlight any training or development programs, as well as the potential for career advancement within your organization. Emphasize the impact that their work will have on society and how it aligns with their personal values.

I have found it very effective to consider partnering with colleges and universities in the respective area to reach out directly to students. Offer internships or co-op programs to give them a taste of what it’s like to work for your agency. This provides valuable experience for the student and serves as a pipeline for potential full-time employees.

Daniel Cook, HR / Marketing Executive, Mullen and Mullen

Collaborate With Universities for Development

To attract college students and recent graduates to logistics jobs, a governmental agency should collaborate with universities and technical colleges, specifically targeting programs related to supply chain management and industrial engineering. It should develop an affiliate program that offers educational and professional development benefits instead of just financial incentives. This strategic partnership can funnel graduates directly into warehouse management roles.

Mohammed Kamal, Business Development Manager, Olavivo

Showcase Cutting-Edge Technology in Roles

To attract college students and recent graduates to warehouse and logistics jobs, a large governmental agency should highlight the technological advancements and innovation within these roles. Emphasizing how they incorporate cutting-edge tech, like AI and robotics, can pique the interest of tech-savvy young adults looking for dynamic careers. In my experience, showcasing the modern aspects of traditional roles significantly broadens their appeal to a younger, more diverse audience.

Josh Ladick, President, GSA Focus

Emphasize Community Impact and Service

Emphasize the public-service aspect and community impact of the agency’s warehouse and logistics operations. Many young candidates are seeking roles that allow them to contribute to the greater good. Highlight how the agency’s supply chain and distribution efforts directly support critical public programs and services. Explain how employees are vital in ensuring efficient resource allocation and timely delivery of essential goods and services to underserved populations. This sense of purpose can be a powerful draw for purpose-driven candidates.

Josh Qian, COO and Co-Founder, Best Online Cabinets

Promote Career Growth and Technological Use

Highlight the career growth and stability. Create a clear path for advancement, starting with entry-level positions and leading to managerial roles. Share success stories of employees who’ve climbed the ladder. Offer internships, paid training programs, and showcase innovative technology used in the field to also attract tech-savvy grads. Emphasize the role of logistics in keeping everything running smoothly, making it an exciting and essential career choice.

Tornike Asatiani, CEO, Edumentors

Rebrand Warehouses as Tech-Forward Workplaces

Here at Keyzoo, we deal with a lot of young, tech-savvy folks who might not exactly be chomping at the bit for a physical warehouse job. So, if a big government agency wants to grab the attention of that crowd, they’ve got to get creative.

First, it’s essential to move away from the antiquated, unappealing image of warehouses. These environments are now filled with advanced technology—from robots to automation systems, and even data analysis capabilities—making them almost like the command centers of today’s supply chain! Government agencies should highlight this aspect in their outreach efforts. They can collaborate with local colleges renowned for their robotics or logistics programs, and even establish internship opportunities for students to experience the real thing. Imagine a college project where students design a warehouse optimization program—that’s gold!

Second, millennials and Gen Z are increasingly seeking a sense of purpose in their work. Government agencies have a distinct advantage in this regard. They can highlight the positive societal impact of warehouse jobs. For instance, if an agency contributes to disaster relief efforts or delivers critical medical supplies, this should be prominently featured. Showing young people how their contributions directly benefit others can be a powerful motivator.

Going beyond the conventional, agencies should consider offering flexible schedules, competitive wages, and well-defined career progression paths. These warehouse jobs can be a springboard to management positions, logistics coordination roles, even cybersecurity—if they have the interest. Government agencies are recognized for their stability and benefits, so this should be actively embraced. Market these positions not just as job opportunities but as launching pads for secure, rewarding careers.

By showcasing the advanced technology, emphasizing the social impact, and providing clear career advancement opportunities, government agencies can attract a new generation to their warehouse operations.

Eli Itzhaki, CEO, Keyzoo

Demonstrate Work’s Societal Impact

You can make warehouse and logistics jobs more engaging to college students by showing them the genuine effect of their work. Envision explaining how your daily tasks keep supply chains running smoothly, ensuring individuals get the things they need. Effective logistics are the backbone of businesses and even crisis response during disasters.

Also, for those who care about sustainability, you can highlight how your warehouses are using eco-friendly packaging, reducing waste, and optimizing transportation. It’s all about showing how their commitment makes a real difference.

David Magnani, Managing Partner, M&A Executive Search

Provide Student-Loan Repayment Assistance

Offer student loan repayment assistance as part of the benefits package. In my experience, attracting young talent often hinges on addressing their financial concerns. By easing the burden of student loans, you’ll attract college students and recent graduates and demonstrate a commitment to their future, making your agency an appealing, forward-thinking place to build their careers.

David Zhang, CEO, Kate Backdrops

Showcase Career Stability and Advancement

College students and recent graduates interested in warehouse and logistics jobs worry about the stability of jobs in this industry due to rapid technological advancement. A government agency looking to attract these candidates should highlight the numerous opportunities for career advancement in this field and the stability it offers.

Such an agency should showcase success stories of current employees who started with entry-level jobs or internships and advanced their careers to higher positions in the organization. A career path with a natural progression could help entice college students and recent graduates to warehouse and logistics jobs.

It is also worth noting that the current generation of employees is fascinated by continuous learning opportunities that ensure they can stay ahead of technological disruptions in their industries. Highlighting training and development programs that help them achieve this could help attract them to these jobs.

Clooney Wang, CEO, TrackingMore

Create Competitive Internship Opportunities

If you want fresh blood in your warehouses, show students that you’ve got some hustle. Every summer, our warehouse turns into a playground for ambitious interns because we don’t just offer a paycheck; we offer a launchpad.

Make sure your pay is competitive and serve up a smorgasbord of perks, such as flexible schedules that don’t interfere with summer shenanigans, mentorship programs that’ll make their LinkedIn profiles pop, and recommendation letters that will open doors in the field. Then, you can have a pipeline of energized talent that keeps your operations humming and your innovation fresh.

Dennis Sanders, Founder, Burning Daily