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It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success: Overview and Key Findings A 2013 Na�onal Survey of Business and Non Profit Leaders See 2015 Employer Survey Data

Especially since the recent economic downturn and in light of the increasingly compe��ve global economy, employers express concerns about whether the U.S. is producing enough college graduates and whether they have the skills, knowledge, and personal responsibility to contribute to a changing workplace and help companies and organiza�ons succeed and grow. This report provides a detailed analysis of employers’ priori�es for the kinds of learning today’s college students need to succeed in this innova�on-fueled economy. It also reports on changes in educa�onal and assessment prac�ces that employers recommend.

This report is part of a series on surveys and focus groups that the Associa�on of American Colleges and Universi�es (AAC&U) has commissioned since 2005, when it began its na�onal ini�a�ve, Liberal Educa�on and America’s Promise (LEAP). These employer and civic leader studies have informed the work of hundreds of colleges and universi�es and state systems as they seek to develop strong curricula and educa�onal prac�ces that will be�er prepare today’s students for success as workers and ci�zens in the 21 century.

Innova�on a Priority

Nearly all employers surveyed (95 percent) say they give hiring preference to college graduates with skills that will enable them to contribute to innova�on in the workplace.

92 percent agree that “innova�on is essen�al” to their organiza�on’s con�nued success.

Cross-Cu�ng Capaci�es vs. Choice of Undergraduate Major

Nearly all those surveyed (93 percent) say that “a demonstrated capacity to think cri�cally, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than [a candidate’s] undergraduate major.”

More than 9 in 10 of those surveyed say it is important that those they hire demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for con�nued new learning.

More than 75% of employers say they want more emphasis on 5 key areas including: cri�cal thinking, complex problem-solving, wri�en and oral communica�on, and applied knowledge in real-world se�ngs.

Employers endorse several educa�onal prac�ces as poten�ally helpful in preparing college students for workplace success. These include prac�ces that require students to a) conduct research and use evidence-based analysis; b) gain in-depth knowledge in the major and analy�c, problem solving and communica�on skills; and c) apply their learning in real-world se�ngs.

Con�nued Importance of Liberal Educa�on and the Liberal Arts

The majority of employers agree that having both field-specific knowledge and skills and a broad range of skills and knowledge is most important for recent college graduates to achieve long-term career success. Few think that having field-specific knowledge and skills alone is what is most needed for individuals’ career success.

80 percent of employers agree that, regardless of their major, all college students should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.

When read a descrip�on of a 21 -century liberal educa�on*, a large majority of employers recognize its importance; 74 percent would recommend this kind of educa�on to a young person they know as the best way to prepare for success in today’s global economy.

Assessment of Prepara�on for Entry-Level Posi�ons and for Advancement

A majority of employers (56 percent) express sa�sfac�on with the job colleges and universi�es are doing to prepare graduates for success in the workplace, but more than two in five indicate room for improvement.

Two in three employers believe most college graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in entry-level posi�ons, but only 44 percent believe they have what is required for advancement and promo�on to higher levels.

A Blended Model of Liberal and Applied Learning

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8/20/2018 It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success: Overview and Key Findings | Association of A…

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Across many areas tested, employers strongly endorse educa�onal prac�ces that involve students in ac�ve, effor�ul work—prac�ces including collabora�ve problem-solving, internships, senior projects, and community engagements. Employers consistently rank outcomes and prac�ces that involve applica�on of skills over acquisi�on of discrete bodies of knowledge. Employers also strongly endorse prac�ces that require students to demonstrate both acquisi�on of knowledge and its applica�on.

E-por�olios and Partnerships to Ensure College Graduates’ Successful Transi�on to the Workplace

In addi�on to a resume or college transcript, more than 4 in 5 employers say an electronic por�olio would be useful to them in ensuring that job applicants have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their company or organiza�on.

Business and non-profit leaders are highly interested in partnering with colleges and universi�es to provide more hands-on learning opportuni�es and to help college students successfully make the transi�on from college into the workplace.

*Defini�on of liberal educa�on provided in this survey: “This approach to a college educa�on provides both broad knowledge in a variety of areas of study and knowledge in a specific major or field of interest. It also helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as intellectual and prac�cal skills that span all areas of study, such as communica�on, analy�cal, and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world se�ngs.

Methodology

From January 9 to 13, 2013, Hart Research Associates conducted an online survey among 318 employers whose organiza�ons have at least 25 employees and report that 25% or more of their new hires hold either an associate degree from a two-year college or a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college. Respondents are execu�ves at private sector and nonprofit organiza�ons, including owners, CEOs, presidents, C-suite level execu�ves, and vice presidents.

Download the Key Findings

Source: It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priori�es for College Learning and Student Success. 2013. Washington, DC: Associa�on of American Colleges and Universi�es and Hart Research Associates.

8/20/2018 It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success: Overview and Key Findings | Association of A…

https://www.aacu.org/leap/presidentstrust/compact/2013SurveySummary 3/3

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