DO TODAY’S GRADUATES HAVE WHAT IT TAKESTO SUCCEED?

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THAN THEY THINKGRADS ARE MORE READY

THAN THEY THINK STUDENTS AND RECENT GRADS ARE

WORRIED THEY DON’T HAVE THE SKILLS

AND EXPERIENCE EMPLOYERS WANT.

EMPLOYERS SAY: STUDENTS, DON’T WORRY.

Three years ago, 54% of corporate recruiters and 59% of business decision makers gave recent college grads a “C” when it came to preparedness for their first job. Fast forward to today, and according to Bentley University’s most recent survey, 78% of employers feel that recent grads are prepared for pursuing a career after college.

WHAT’S CHANGED?

20162016

of employers feel that recent grads are prepared for pursuing a career after college

78%

20132013

59%of business decision makers gave recent college grads a “C”

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THE SHIFT?

WHAT CAUSEDTHE SHIFT? EDUCATORS ARE ADJUSTING THEIR TEACHING

METHODS TO KEEP PACE WITH CHANGES IN THE

COMPETITIVE WORKPLACE

91%of educators cite new emerging technologies as motivating factors

88%of educators say changes are due to job market trends

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& GROUP PROJECTS INTERNSHIPS, FIELD WORK

& GROUP PROJECTS EDUCATORS REPORT IN THE PAST 5 TO 10

YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A SHIFT IN

(AND OUT OF) THE CLASSROOM

THERE IS A GREATER EMPHASIS ON

TECHNOLOGY AND ENHANCING

JOB-SPECIFIC SKILLS

have seen a greater focus on outside of classroom learning such as fieldwork75%

have moved toward course offerings that include a combination of classroom learning and relevant fieldwork

focus on group projects, promoting teamwork and collaboration

73%

73%

are more focused on technology67%

are more focused on enhancing job-specific skills57%

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A NECESSITYSOFT SKILLS ARE A NECESSITYTHE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE IDEAS, WORK WELL AS PART OF A TEAM,

AND THINK CREATIVELY CANNOT BE OVERLOOKED

92%of employers rank critical thinking skills and the ability to analyze issues as important or very important to success

87%emphasize the importance of written and verbal communication and presentation skills

91%of employers want employees who can work collaboratively within a team

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It’s clear that employers want candidates with a strong mix of technical and soft skills. Educators have heard the call and are emphasizing fieldwork, internships and group projects to better prepare graduates for the realities of today’s workplace.

LEADS TO SUCCESSTHE RIGHT COMBINATION OF SKILLS LEADS TO SUCCESS