There’s multiple roads on this one. My experience is many new college grads don’t have the personality profiles for operations. Edison Mission used personally profiles as a large part of their hiring to filter out people that would cave under the pressure of real time operations. They had more than one episode of an engineer turned operator curled up under the console at 0200 when all **** breaks loose & the lights go off & steam starts blowing out the safeties. I’ve personally ran into several newbies that were intelligent but FAR too sensitive for the position.
Personally, I tend to get along with grumpy old codgers (I’m 46 but grew up on the farm raised by WW2 vet). I also do well with most anyone that gives an honest effort & can take a bit of constructive criticism. I’ve seen these kids nowadays start crying during constructive criticism & not even a review or actual trouble. Then they tuned right around & tried to boss people around the next week.
My employees range from early 40’s to mid/late 60’s. I’d gladly hire a youngster if I could but I’ve never once seen one last, or even be reliable(under 35 at least). From what I’ve experienced, once accountability is placed they run. If a willing to learn, thick skinned, calm & intelligent young person applied for these positions, they’d be a VP of Operations by 45.