Transcript Optimistic About the Future, But How Well Prepared

Optimistic About the Future,
But How Well Prepared?
College Students’ Views on
College Learning and Career Success
Key findings from survey among 400 employers and 613 college students
conducted in November and December 2014
for The Association of American Colleges and Universities
by Hart Research Associates
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Methodology
 Online survey among 613 college students, all within a year of
obtaining a degree or, in the case of two-year students, transferring
to a four-year college
 Sample includes 304 students at four-year public colleges, 151
students at four-year private colleges, and 158 students at twoyear colleges
 Online survey among 400 executives at private-sector and nonprofit
organizations that have 25 or more employees
 Each reports that 25% or more of their new hires hold an
associate degree from a two-year college or a bachelor’s degree
from a four-year college
Doing well in college and getting a good job are students’
top current goals.
College is
helping a lot/
fair amount
in this area
Very important* goal for me today
(all students)
Doing well in college
85%
Getting a good job
82%
Friendships/social
connections
67%
Making a difference by
helping others
64%
Being informed about
news in the United States
53%
Making my community a
better place to live
52%
44%
Voting in elections
Being informed about
news outside the US
Being involved politically
41%
23%
78%
74%
61%
53%
43%
49%
35%
42%
32%
*8, 9, 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = very important
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Nearly two in three students are confident that they will be
able to get a job that fits with their interests.
(all students)
Job prospects for recent college graduates in today’s economy:
54%
Excellent/good Ex 10%
Poor/just fair Poor 13%
46%
Confidence that I will be able to get a job after I graduate from college:
73%
Very/fairly confident Very 34%
Not at all/just Not
somewhat confident 6%
27%
Confidence that I will be able to get a job that fits with my interests and
goals after I graduate from college:
65%
Very/fairly confident Very 28%
Not at all/just Not
somewhat confident 8%
35%
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More than three in five students believe that it takes BOTH
specific knowledge/skills and broad knowledge/skills to
achieve long-term career success.
Which is more important for recent college graduates to have who want to pursue advancement
and long-term career success when they enter the workforce?
(all students)
Range of knowledge and
skills that apply to a range
of fields or positions
Knowledge and skills
that apply to a specific
field or position
15%
22%
Students by type of college
Specific
Both
Range
Fouryear
public
13%
65%
22%
Fouryear
private
10%
71%
19%
Twoyear
25%
50%
25%
63%
Both field-specific and broad
range of knowledge and skills
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Students embrace a broad set of college learning goals,
especially learning how to solve problems with people of
different views.
(all students)
Strongly agree
Employers who
strongly/
somewhat
agree
Somewhat agree
All college students should have educational experiences that teach them how
to solve problems with people whose views are different from their own
94%
65%
All college students should gain intercultural skills and an understanding of
societies and countries outside the United States
44%
87%
96%
78%
Every college student should take courses that build the civic knowledge,
skills, and judgment essential for contributing to our democratic society
39%
86%
86%
All college students should gain an understanding of democratic institutions
and values
32%
85%
87%
Every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and
sciences
36%
83%
78%
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Large majorities of students deem broad, cross-cutting
outcomes as very important.
Proportions of students rating each skill/knowledge area as very important* for
recent college graduates to have in order to be successful in the workplace
Critical/analytical thinking
79%
Applying knowledge/
skills to real world
79%
Oral communication
78%
Working effectively with
others in teams
77%
Written communication
75%
Ethical judgment and
decision-making
Analyzing/solving complex
problems
Locating, organizing,
evaluating information
Analyzing/solving problems
with people from different
backgrounds
Being innovative/creative
74%
73%
73%
71%
69%
Staying current on
technologies
68%
*8, 9, 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = very important
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Fewer students rank other college learning outcomes
as important.
Proportions of students rating each skill/knowledge area as very important* for
recent college graduates to have in order to be successful in the workplace
Awareness of/experience
with diverse cultures within
the US
58%
Working with
numbers/statistics
55%
Staying current on global
developments, trends
49%
Staying current on
developments in science
49%
Awareness of/experience
with diverse cultures outside
of the US
Proficiency in language
other than English
46%
35%
*8, 9, 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = very important
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Students say their colleges have communicated with them
about expected learning outcomes, opportunities for applied
learning, and employer expectations.
Proportions of students saying their college has communicated with them about each
By type of college/university
All
students
Four-year
private
Four-year
public
Twoyear
Required courses outside their major,
distribution requirements
89%
91%
90%
84%
Specific skills/knowledge they are
expected to develop in their major
82%
89%
84%
72%
Educational aims/outcomes of distribution
requirements outside their major
81%
82%
82%
76%
Specific skills/knowledge the college aims
for every graduate to achieve
77%
83%
75%
75%
Opportunities to apply skills/knowledge in
real-world settings
76%
86%
74%
69%
Skills/knowledge employers are looking
for in recent graduates
69%
70%
72%
63%
How to effectively communicate your
knowledge/skills to potential employers
68%
74%
70%
58%
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Students recognize that employers are more likely to consider
hiring recent college graduates who have completed an applied
or project-based learning experience.
Proportions of students saying employers are much/somewhat more likely to consider hiring
a recent college graduate if they have had this experience, completed this course:
Internship/apprenticeship with
company/organization
95%
Much more likely 69%
(Four-year private 84%, four-year public 70%, two-year 53%)
Senior project demonstrating
problem-solving, knowledge,
research, communication
Field project in diverse
community with people from
different background/culture
Service-learning project with
community organization
Study abroad program
87%
38%
85%
31%
Research project done
collaboratively with peers
Multiple courses involving
significant writing
89%
46%
82%
36%
30%
23%
76%
71%
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Students’ participation in applied and project-based learning
experiences varies by the type of institution they attend.
Proportions of students saying they have done/are doing each before getting their degree
By type of college/university
Four-year
private
Four-year
public
Two-year
Collaborative research project with other
students
72%
65%
39%
Internship/apprenticeship with company or
organization
61%
42%
21%
Advanced, comprehensive senior project that
requires demonstrated depth of knowledge in
major and acquisition of research, problemsolving, and communication skills
56%
42%
27%
Community-based or service-learning project
with community organization
56%
41%
23%
Field-based project in diverse community
setting with people of different
culture/background
39%
27%
19%
Study abroad program for semester/longer
21%
15%
15%
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When we include those who plan to participate in applied/
project-based learning before graduation, differences are
minimal.
Proportions of students saying they have done/are doing or plan to do each before getting their degree
By type of college/university
Four-year
private
Four-year
public
Two-year
Advanced, comprehensive senior project that
requires demonstrated depth of knowledge in
major and acquisition of research, problemsolving, and communication skills
86%
78%
76%
Collaborative research project with other
students
85%
83%
79%
Internship/apprenticeship with company or
organization
81%
76%
84%
Community-based or service-learning project
with community organization
72%
63%
72%
Field-based project in diverse community
setting with people of different
culture/background
58%
50%
64%
Study-abroad program for semester/longer
31%
31%
52%
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Most students think their college is doing a good job ensuring
that graduates gain the skills/knowledge needed for success.
How well is your college/university doing in ensuring that graduates possess the full set of skills and
knowledge that they will need for success in this?
Entry-level positions after graduating
Advancement/promotion in the workforce
74%
64%
36%
26%
Minor 10%
Minor 6%
Moderate
20%
Moderate
16%
Major 4%
Doing
good job
Improvements
are needed
Major 6%
Doing
good job
Improvements
are needed
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Majorities of students feel their college prepared them well
in 11 of the 17 learning outcomes tested.
Proportions of students rating themselves as having been well prepared* by
their college in each skill/knowledge area
66%
Critical/analytical thinking
65%
Written communication
Working effectively with
others in teams
Locating, organizing,
evaluating information
64%
64%
Oral communication
62%
Ethical judgment and
decision-making
Applying knowledge/
skills to real world
Analyzing/solving
complex problems
62%
Being innovative/creative
Ability to work with
numbers/statistics
Analyzing/solving problems with people from
different backgrounds
59%
59%
57%
55%
55%
*8, 9, 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = very well prepared
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Fewer students feel their colleges prepared them well in the
six remaining areas.
Proportions of students rating themselves as having been well prepared* by
their college in each skill/knowledge area
Awareness of/experience
with diverse cultures
within the US
48%
Staying current on
technologies
46%
Staying current on
developments in science
44%
Staying current on global
developments, trends
43%
Awareness of/experience
with diverse cultures
outside of the US
Proficiency in language
other than English
42%
34%
*8, 9, 10 ratings on zero-to-10 scale, 10 = very well prepared
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Some notable variations in students’ evaluation of their
preparedness emerge by type of institution.
Proportions of students rating themselves as having been well prepared (8-10 on zero-to-ten scale)
by their college in each skill/knowledge area
Four-year
Four-year
Two-year
private college public college college
78%
66%
56%
Critical/analytical thinking
73%
66%
58%
Written communication
70%
65%
55%
Working effectively with others in teams
77%
65%
52%
Locating, organizing, evaluating information
70%
61%
56%
Oral communication
69%
66%
50%
Ethical judgment and decision-making
66%
59%
51%
Applying knowledge/skills to real world
67%
59%
53%
Analyzing/solving complex problems
62%
57%
53%
Being innovative/creative
53%
57%
56%
Ability to work with numbers/statistics
55%
48%
Analyzing/solving problems with people from different backgrounds 63%
55%
48%
39%
Awareness of/experience with diverse cultures within the US
46%
51%
40%
Staying current on technologies
43%
46%
41%
Staying current on developments in science
44%
44%
38%
Staying current on global developments, trends
45%
43%
36%
Awareness of/experience with diverse cultures outside of the US
37%
34%
31%
Proficiency in language other than English
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Employers give college graduates lower scores for preparedness
across learning outcomes than current students give themselves.
Proportions who believe they/recent college graduates are well prepared in each area*
Employers
Working effectively with
others in teams
Staying current on
technologies
Ethical judgment and
decisionmaking
Locating, organizing,
evaluating information
Oral communication
Working with numbers/
statistics
37%
64%
37%
46%
30%
62%
29%
64%
28%
62%
28%
55%
Written communication
27%
Critical/analytical thinking
26%
Being innovative/creative
Students
65%
66%
25%
57%
*8-10 ratings on zero-to-ten scale
(continued)
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Employers give college graduates lower scores for preparedness
across learning outcomes than current students give themselves.
Proportions who believe they/recent college graduates are well prepared in each area*
Employers
Students
(continued)
Analyzing/solving
complex problems
Applying knowledge/
skills to real world
Awareness of/experience
with diverse cultures/
communities in the US
Staying current on
developments in science
Working with people from
different backgrounds
Staying current on global
developments/trends
Proficient in other language
24%
59%
23%
59%
21%
48%
21%
44%
18%
55%
18%
43%
16%
34%
Awareness of/experience
with diverse cultures
outside the US
15%
42%
*8-10 ratings on zero-to-ten scale
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