Job Outlook 2011: Career Preparedness Now

1. Job Outlook 2011: Career Preparedness Now Austin Forum February 18, 2011 Beverly Amer, Northern Arizona University

2. Summary of Surveys & Reports

3. AAC&U Survey • Employers want: • Employees to use a broader set of skills • Colleges to help develop those skills AND in-depth skills/knowledge for a specific major or field • More 4-year college graduates • Employers support: • Assuring students are actually acquiring skills/knowledge • Using real-world settings to apply knowledge • Projects, active learning, research and evidence-based analysis • Emphasis on ethical decision-making

4. AAC&U Survey • How well are we doing in preparing graduates for the challenges of today’s global economy? Percentage of employers who say improvement is needed: 68%

5. AAC&U Survey • What employers suggest we do: 84%: Require a significant project before graduation that demonstrates: - depth of knowledge in major AND - acquisition of analytical, problem-solving & communication skill 81%: Have students complete an internship or community-based project to connect classroom to real world

6. AAC&U Survey, cont. 81%: Help develop skill to research issues and develop evidence-based analysis 73%: Set expectations for ethical behavior and support learning through debate of tough issues 60%: Challenge students to learn about cultural and ethnic diversity

7. Action Plan • What am I already doing well? • What needs attention? • Who has a great idea to share?

8. National Association of Colleges and Employers: Job Outlook 2011 • College Hiring Forecast: “GOOD” • Up 5%for 2011 grads over last year • Up 23.5% in West • Low Demand For: • International students and associate degree graduates – less than 19% plan to recruit

9. What Employers Are Looking For • Strong emphasis on GPA as an interview screen • 75%of employers use a GPA screen • On resume’ – choosing one candidate over another • Leadership position • Major • High GPA (3.0 +) • Extra-curricular activities • School attended • Volunteer work

10. What About Work Experience? • 72.4%prefer someone with relevant work experience • Internships count here

11. Skill Most In Demand? Communication • Students using on-campus practice interview services found positions ahead of those who didn’t • Other attributes near the top: • Strong work ethic • Initiative • Interpersonal skills • Problem-solving and analytical skills • Teamwork skills

12. Oddly Enough… • Attributes employers list as MOST LACKINGin college graduates? • Communication skill • Flexibility/adaptability • Initiative • Problem-solving and analytical skills • Teamwork skills • Strong work ethic • Note: technical and computer skills seem to be acceptable

13. Bureau of Labor Statistics: 2008-2018 • Of the projected increase in jobs, 96% will be in service industries • Largest in terms of growth: • Professional and business services • Health care and social assistance

14. Action Plan – part 2 What are my students getting? • Oral Communication Skill • Written Communication Skill • Problem Solving/Critical Thinking • Teamwork • Innovation/Creativity • Knowledge Acquisition • Quantitative & Statistical Analysis

15. Why I Teach Communication Skills • “I submitted the wrong one, i will attach it to this file, oh and i put average next to the average cause it didnt make sence not to, and im sorry if i was just meant to tell you and you would forget about that one but idont know if i will be here in the morning to check my email but yai will just attach it to this file, well see you tomorrow”

16. Cengage Resources • Visit the Interactive Learning Center • Ask your sales rep about: Portfolio Projects for Soft Skills 2e • Other titles in the Cengage family of products

17. Sources • AAC&U “Raising the Bar” • www.aacu.org/press_room/press_releases/2010/employersurvey.cfm • NACE “Job Outlook 2011” • www.nace.org (membership or fee required) • Bureau of Labor Statistics • www.bls.gov “Employment Projection: 2008-2018”