College Grads Feel ‘Uncertain’ About Their Careers

With fears of an incoming recession, recent college grads are expressing uncertainty over their job prospects and career “readiness.”

Cengage Group surveyed 1,000 graduates for its 2022 Graduate Employability Report, which examines how graduates of degree and non-degree programs feel about entering the job market, Forbes reports. Only 41% of college graduates believed their college education was a good indication of the skills they possessed. Additionally, 49% of recent graduates said they didn’t apply for entry level jobs because they felt underqualified. They survey includes responses from both graduates of traditional degree programs (associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s) and non-degree programs (vocational and certification programs).

“The result is that U.S. graduates are confused about how to make the best decisions for their employment goals and many regret their choices, skeptical that they have the skills they need but concerned about the stigma of forgoing a traditional degree,” the report reads.

STIGMA PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE

Views around the value of college education have shifted over the years. For older generations, a college degree still represents a proven path to a successful career. But younger generations are challenging that notion. Nearly 75% of Gen Z say there are other ways of getting a good education.

“Stigma is one of the key drivers of the current skills-to-employment gap and must be addressed across the market and culture,” the report reads. “There’s employer legacy bias of requiring candidates to have traditional degrees regardless of how relevant it is to the role. But there is also the cultural stigma of not having a traditional degree that is perpetuated by parents, educators – and graduates themselves. Even as 75% of Gen Z say there are other ways of getting a good education, the stigma of not following a traditional pathway continues to shape their choices, further amplifying the sense of regret and confusion.”

THE ECONOMY ISN’T HELPING

In addition to stigma, the general state of today’s economy also plays a factor in the uncertainty that recent college grads are feeling.

“Various economic circumstances – inflation spiking, job opportunities and resignations flourishing, and a potential recession looming – are pushing many graduates to question their education and career choices,” Michael E. Hansen, CEO of Cengage Group, tells Forbes. “On top of that, a growing focus on skills-based hiring juxtaposed with the stigma of non-degree programs are leaving graduates confused about what education pathways provide a good return on investment and best prepare them for the workforce.”

What can be done to change things? Well, for one, the skillset required of workers has always adapted. And, Hansen says, it’s time for employers to change how they hire.

“Employers today desperately need workers who possess the skills needed to perform specialized, modern day work, and we’re seeing many workers pursue shorter-term online training courses that allow them to acquire these skills more quickly and affordably,” Hansen tells Forbes. “With many graduates now pursuing non-traditional education paths, this is a huge talent opportunity for employers and we encourage businesses to re-think hiring procedures and remove the stigmas associated with non-traditional degrees.”

Sources: Forbes, The New York Times, Cengage Group

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