And the Loneliest and Most Miserable Americans Are...
Chiefs Fan Melts Down and Blames Trump for Blowout Loss at Super Bowl
So, That's Why Two People Got Shot at the Eagles Super Bowl Parade
Is This Why Biden Failed?
James Carville: Cavalry Isn't Coming to Stop Trump
New Jersey's Racially Biased Permitting Scheme Worse Than Originally Thought
Trump Once Again Deserves the Nobel Peace Prize
Three More Hostages Freed, But Hamas Delivers Cruel Message to Families
Here Are the Top DOGE Takedowns So Far
Trump, Elon Musk Shut Down Media's Efforts to Drive Them Apart
Trump Puts the Squeeze on Iran
Can We Shake Welfare Dependency in Time to Avoid Fiscal Collapse?
Skip 'Captain America: Brave New World,' Rewatch 'Clear and Present Danger'
The FTC Must Return to Supporting Startups and Small Business by Challenging Harmful...
The Future of Clean Energy Looks Increasingly Nuclear
Tipsheet

New Report: Grads Not Only Unprepared for Workplace, But Unaware of How Unprepared They Are

Inside Higher Ed reported on the findings of a new survey that shows just how flawed the education system is in America today. Half of college students say they are prepared for the workplace, but hiring managers completely disagree.

Advertisement

It is sad enough that only 50% of college students think they are prepared for the workplace, but the fact that only 39% of employers say that the students are prepared is even more worrisome. 77% of students, but only 50% of hiring managers believed that students were capable of "prioritizing" - an extremely basic job skill. 70% of students, but only 44% of managers believed they could communicate with authority figures/clients. 52% of students believed they were prepared to create a budget or financial goal, but only 30% of employers agreed - making that the lowest ranked skill overall.

The study, titled "Bridge That Gap," included responses from 1,000 hiring managers and 2,001 college students. Students overestimated themselves on literally every single tested skill by at least ten percentage points. There were certain skills that even a majority of the overconfident students did not think they could do, including managing a meeting and making a decision without having all the facts.

"Bridge That Gap"'s findings support the need for student professional development prior to graduation:

  • 93% of hiring managers want to see that the graduates they hire have demonstrated the initiative to lead.
  • 91% of hiring managers hope to see that applicants they hire have participated in extracurricular activities related to their field of study.
  • 82% think the recent graduates they hire should have completed a formal internship before graduating from college.
Advertisement

And it is readily apparent that professional development is still lacking in most students' college experiences:

Outside of schoolwork, the activity that college students identify spending the most time doing is socializing with friends (49%). This was followed by:

  • Working at a job not related to their field of study (31%)
  • Working out (29%)
  • Extracurricular activities not related to their field of study (22%)
  • Volunteering (15%)
  • Working at a job related to their field of study (14%)
  • Extracurricular activities related to their field of study (11%)
  • Working in an internship related to their field of study (8%)
  • Attending networking events (2%)
  • Working in an internship not related to their field of study (1%)
  • Other (4%)

Experts have been arguing for the complete integration of career services into higher education for some time. More studies like "Bridge That Gap" could provide the impetus for action.

Join the conversation as a VIP Member

Recommended

Trending on Townhall Videos

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement