Graduate Employability Report
Survey
May. 2021
Sample Size:
1,600
Demographics:
US adults
Topics:
Value
Accountability
Affordability
Career Readiness
Top Findings:
- One in five graduates surveyed say their college experience didn’t provide them with the skills they needed to perform their first job, meaning basic business acumen is missing from college course instruction for one in three (33%).
- Two in five graduates only occasionally or rarely use the skill they learned in school in their daily job.
- One in three say it took more than six months to find a job after graduation (BLS data show most Americans find employment within 1 month).
- Sixty-six percent of graduates want more real-world work experience, and believe colleges should prioritize: experiential learning and access to online licensing/certification programs, school-sponsored co-ops and internships, and mentorships and introductions to local business leaders.
- Half of recent graduates didn’t apply to jobs because they felt underqualified. While 4-year graduates were concerned they didn’t have the right skills, degree stigma contributed to 2-year graduates fear that their academic merit didn’t measure-up.
- Half didn’t apply to a job because they believed their colleagues have higher academic merit.
- With nearly one in three graduates choosing to attend their college because of its job placement rate, graduates have a lot of faith that the college they choose will help them successfully enter the workforce. Yet, two in five say their college didn’t play a role in helping them find a job.
- One in three graduates didn’t apply to a job because they were concerned they didn’t have all of the skills listed.
- Sixty percent believe that colleges should be held accountable for helping them find meaningful employment.
- Forty percent believe their college invests more in activities that don’t contribute to their future, such as campus beautification initiatives, athletic programs and non-academic events.
- Fifty-eight percent of recent grads aren’t convinced that employers should require a traditional degree to apply to most jobs.
- Two in five recommend future students pursue a 2-year degree and online certifications to acquire the skills needed in their field of work.
- Half are considering additional certifications or training courses to advance in their field.