Ot used to be that most recycling professionals were born into the business, working for their family's scrap company from the time they could push a wheelbarrow or alphabetize some files. It's a different story today. As the scrap recycling industry has grown and the family nature of the business has diminished, many industry firms must look to outsiders to fill management and trading positions. While some target experienced scrap professionals for these jobs, many see advantages to hiring those new to the industry, especially recent college graduates. For one thing, says Bob Toth, human resources manager for Annaco Inc. (Akron, Ohio), such newcomers "have not learned any bad habits yet, allowing us to mold and train them the way we want to." In addition, recent graduates tend to grasp the business quickly since they are accustomed to a learning environment. "An education-oriented person is still in the learning mode and is generally able to make a smooth transition to learning about the industry and the company," explains Toth. Add to this the fact that the starting salary for a trainee is likely to be lower than that for a seasoned scrap veteran, and it's even more clear why so many companies are increasingly appointing new executives with a veritable "clean slate."
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