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In light of a recent study, it's evident that around 52% of college graduates end up in jobs that don’t require their degrees, which significantly impacts their earnings and career trajectories. This finding, based on the analysis of over 10 million individuals entering the job market in the past decade, underscores the pivotal role of the first job after graduation. In the research, internships emerge as a crucial factor determining the ability of recent grads to find roles that  align with their degree. These insights fuel the ongoing debate on the value of a college education amidst soaring costs and the alignment of university education with employer needs. #CareerTrajectory #HigherEducation #EmploymentTrends #RecruitmentInsights https://lnkd.in/gzbRFk5n

Half of college graduates ending up in jobs that don't require their degrees, what steps can universities, employers, and students themselves take to better align education with career pathways? The WSJ highlights how factors like choice of major and internship experience play a big role in landing a 'college-level' job after graduation. For those hiring recent college graduates, what skills or experiences do you prioritize? https://lnkd.in/g_PzYbaP

https://lnkd.in/gm7zNbp5 A worrying article about the value of college. What stood out from the article was the immense value see from getting on-the-job experience through internships. I believe getting hands on experience in your industry of interest is crucial, but I say why wait until one is in college and sacked with debt to pursue these opportunities. companies need to be offering apprentice programs for junior and seniors in highschool so they can begin to build real world work experience and get a better understanding for what they may want to major in if one decides to go to college. Plus many highschool students have incredible skills that are valuable to companies, building this talent pipeline prior to college will (1) develop relevant skills for future employees with real world experience. (2) provide further clarity to young adults about the type of work they may be interested in, prior to entering college. (3) help reduce the underemployment problem outlined in the article.

This is an important read based on a new study that tracked more than 10 million people over the past decade who entered the job market. 52% of those tracked who graduated college ended up in jobs where degrees aren’t needed. Moreover, your first job really matters after graduation since that often dictates your trajectory with lasting implications on earnings and career paths. From the article: “More than any other factor analyzed—including race, gender and choice of university—what a person studies determines their odds of getting on a college-level career track. Internships are also critical.” Seems to me that community colleges, apprenticeships, internships and continual learning opportunities really need to be expanded once high school ends. And folks really need to look closely at cost/benefit of institutions they attend since the debt incurred may be an albatross for many future life plans.

This is why career exploration is so important prior to college. Is a degree needed for your career choice? If so, when choosing a major, what career comes from that major? And most importantly… work experiences- internships, co-ops, apprenticeships- whatever you call them are imperative and need to be required. Colleges should be offering a full semester of credits for paid internships, as part of every degree. “Securing even one internship during college significantly improves the odds of landing a college-level job upon graduation, according to the study. For humanities and psychology majors, the rate of underemployment five years after college dropped by a quarter with an internship. Among social-sciences majors, it fell by 40%.”

Article from WSJ: Half of College Grads Are Working Jobs That Don’t Use Their Degrees Some excerpts: "More than any other factor analyzed—including race, gender and choice of university—what a person studies determines their odds of getting on a college-level career track. Internships are also critical." "Of the graduates in non-college-level jobs a year after leaving college, the vast majority remained underemployed a decade later, according to researchers at labor analytics firm Burning Glass Institute and nonprofit Strada Education Foundation, which analyzed the résumés of workers who graduated between 2012 and 2021." "Nearly half of people who majored in biology and biomedical sciences—47%—remained underemployed five years after graduating. Likewise, business majors less focused on quantitative skills, such as marketing and human resources, were twice as likely to be underemployed than those with math-intensive business degrees, such as accounting or finance." “We all need to be thinking of that first post-college job as a high-stakes milestone, and give it the attention it deserves,” said Stephen Moret, Strada’s president and chief executive." Link to free article:

Some key passages from The Wall Street Journal's article about career paths, academic majors, and internships that every college student should consider: "Roughly half of college graduates end up in jobs where their degrees aren’t needed, and that underemployment has lasting implications for workers’ earnings and career paths.... More than any other factor analyzed—including race, gender and choice of university—what a person studies determines their odds of getting on a college-level career track. Internships are also critical... Once a graduate’s first two or three jobs are clustered around one industry or set of tasks—say, an aspiring marketing strategist who takes a couple of food-service supervisor roles to pay the bills—it’s harder to hop onto another career lane... Likewise, business majors less focused on quantitative skills, such as marketing and human resources, were twice as likely to be underemployed than those with math-intensive business degrees, such as accounting or finance... “We all need to be thinking of that first post-college job as a high-stakes milestone, and give it the attention it deserves,” said Stephen Moret, Strada’s president and chief executive... Securing even one internship during college significantly improves the odds of landing a college-level job upon graduation, according to the study..." https://lnkd.in/eJnPhb-u

Check out this new report from Strada Education Foundation and The Burning Glass Institute, which highlights some key issues with underemployment post-college: 😅 Underemployment is a large and persistent problem. 1️⃣ The first job after graduation is critical. 🍯 Underemployment is sticky. 💵 Underemployment carries a heavy financial cost. 👨🏫 Underemployment rates vary greatly by college major. 👩🔬 STEM is not a silver bullet.  💼 College-level employment rates are higher for those who complete an internship. 📊 Institution type, race/ethnicity, gender, and geography matter with respect to post-graduation employment outcomes, but typically not as much as college major or internships. All this underscores previous research on the importance of majors and internships, and the nuanced interplay of both in supporting the successful career launch of college students. At Thrive Scholars, we work with our Scholars from their senior year of high school through college graduation and beyond in order to make sure they can achieve their dreams and thrive in economic mobility! Check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/eNywqFge WSJ covered the report here: https://lnkd.in/enjEd5gT #educationresearch #educationalequity #careersuccess #internships #economicmobility #thrivescholars

Choice of major, internships and getting the right first job after graduation are critical to career paths, new data show….. This article is well worth the read!

Half of college graduates end up in jobs that don't align with their degrees Recent findings from The Burning Glass Institute and Strada Education Foundation indicate that approximately half of college graduates find themselves in occupations that are not directly related to their field of study. This matters because the first job out of college significantly impacts long-term career trajectory, earnings potential, and overall satisfaction. Based on my experience, I believe that internships and guidance from mentors can ultimately pave the way for success among college graduates. Internships: As someone who has spearheaded and nurtured internship programs at Protis Global and ace Talent Curators, I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of internships. Internships serve as a crucial "test drive" for students, allowing them to explore various industries and roles before committing to a career path. They provide invaluable hands-on experience, networking opportunities, and insight into potential career trajectories. Investing in internships can significantly increase the likelihood of securing a college-level job post-graduation. Mentorship: Alongside internships, mentorship plays a pivotal role in navigating the transition from college to career. Seeking guidance from experienced professionals in your desired field can provide invaluable advice, support, and perspective. Mentors can offer insights into industry trends, and career development strategies, and help bridge the gap between academic knowledge and real-world application. Leveraging mentorship can be just as important as gaining practical experience through internships when it comes to securing your first post-college job. Let's empower the next generation of professionals to make informed career choices and maximize their potential for success!