The Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U) released a report Falling Short? College Learning and Careers Success, conducted by Hart Research Associates summarizes key findings of two national surveys. The key findings of the report are:
- Employers greatest competencies when hiring recent college graduates are
- 85% oral communication
- 82% written communication
- 83% teamwork
- 81% ethical decision-making
- 81% critical thinking
- 80% apply knowledge to real-world settings
- 90% employers responded that “a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly and solve complex problems is more important than a candidates undergraduate major”
- 58% of employers stated that graduates need to be better prepared for entry-level positions
- 66% of employers stated that improvements are need to prepare college student for advancement and promotion.
- 25% of employers stated that recent college graduates are well-prepared in critical thinking and analytic reasoning, written and oral communication, complex problem-solving, innovation and creativity and applying knowledge and skills to real-world settings.
- 30% of employers said that college graduates are well-prepare in the area of ethical judgment and decision making.
- 37% of employers said they were well-prepared in teamwork skills.
- 60% of students rated themselves well-prepared in the above competencies.
- 96% of employers surveyed stated that all students should have educational experiences that teach them how to solve problems with people whose views are different from their own.
- 80% of employers stated that it would be useful to be able to see an electronic portfolio of the students’ work that summarizes and demonstrates the student’s accomplishments in key skill and knowledge areas.
The bottom line findings from this report is both employers and educators have a vested interest in the success of college graduates. We all need to work on developing these competencies in our students and employees.