2017 Future Workforce Survey · challenges posed by my college/university courses Not well -I was...

©Copyright2017McGraw-HillEducation1

2017 Future Workforce SurveyPrepared by Hanover Research for McGraw-Hill EducationMay 2017

©Copyright2017McGraw-HillEducation

TableofContents

2

SectionI Introduction,Summary &KeyFindings p.3

SectionII CollegePreparedness,Satisfaction,andBeliefs p.9

SectionIIII College ReflectionsandEvaluation p.15

SectionIV CareerPreparedness andImpactofCollege p.21

SectionV CareerGoals andPlans p.31

SectionVI JobSearching,CareerPlanning,andCollegeResources p.43

SectionVII CareerPreferences, Desires,andConcerns p.52

SectionVIII Demographics p.60

Contact p.64


INTRODUCTION,SUMMARY &KEYFINDINGS


Introduction

4

This report presents findings from the 2017 Future Workforce Survey. The primary goal of thesurvey is to provide a picture of how prepared students feel about entering the workforce and thehopes and concerns students have about their post-graduation lives.

In order to qualify, respondents must have been current Freshmen-Second Year Seniors (1st Year-5th Year) or currently enrolled in a Masters or Doctorate program. After data cleaning, Hanoveranalyzed 5,354 completed survey responses.

This report primarily focuses on results from the 2017 iteration of the survey, but compares andcontrasts results from similar surveys conducted in 2016, 2015, and 2014 (when possible). Thereport also includes 2017 survey results segmented by collegiate status and institution type.

*When applicable, Hanover presents statistically significant differences between survey years 2014-2017 and between 2017 respondentsegments. Letters are used within graphs and tables to indicate groups with statistically significant differences at the 95% confidence interval.


ExecutiveSummary

5

Overall,studentsfeelatleastsomewhatpreparedfortheirprofessionalcareersandfeelthattheircollegeexperienceshavebeenatleastsomewhathelpfulinpreparingthemforthesecareers.Studentsfeelmostpreparedwithcommunication,criticalthinkingandteamworkskills,andlessconfidentregardingnetworkingandtechnicalskills.Theybelievethatadditionalinternshipsorprofessionalexperienceswhileincollegewouldbemostbeneficialforbuildingtheseskills.Inaddition,studentsindicatethatadditionalaccesstocareerpreparationtoolswouldmakethemfeelbetterpreparedforpost-graduationjobs.However,amajorityofrespondentsindicateneverorrarelyusingthecareerresourcesofferedbytheirinstitutions,suggestingadisconnectbetweendesireandexecution.

Moststudentshavealreadyidentifiedacareertheywanttopursueaftergraduation,anddesiretopursuecareersrelatedtotheirmajorsthatwillallowthemtolivewell-rounded,happylives.Responsessuggestthatstudentsconsciouslypickmajorstheyfeelareversatileandprovidethemwithmarketableskillsinordertomeettheircareergoals.Inadditiontotheirmajor,studentsbelievetheirgrades,workexperience,andinterpersonalskillsplaykeyrolesintheirjobcandidacyandattractiveness.

Studentsgenerallyfeelthattheywereadequatelypreparedforthedemandsofcollegeandaresatisfiedwiththeircollegeexperiences.Pre-college,studentsfeltthatcollegewouldimprovetheiremploymentopportunities,givethemagoodeducation,andsetthemupforfuturesuccess– allofwhichwereborneoutforamajorityofstudents.


KeyFindings

6

§ Fewerthanhalfofstudentssurveyedfeelveryorextremelypreparedfortheirprofessionalcareer.Thisisconsistentwithpreviousiterationsofthestudy.Olderstudentsandstudentsenrolledat4-yearprivateuniversitiesaresignificantlymorelikelythanotherstofeelpreparedfortheirprofessionalcareerandtohavefoundtheircollegeexperienceshelpfulinpreparingthemforacareer.

– Studentsfeelmostpreparedtouseteamwork,criticalthinking,andcommunicationintheircareers,andfeelleastpreparedfornetworking.Theyfeelthatadditionalinternships/professionalexperienceswouldhavemostpreparedthemfortheirpost-graduatecareers.

– Studentsconsidergettingadegreeinamarketablefield,theirgrades,internshipexperience,andinterpersonalskillsasthepiecesoftheircollegecareerthatmakethemthebestjobcandidates.

§ Avastmajorityofstudentsarehappywiththeirmajor,believetheirmajorwillhelpthemfindajob,andplanongettingajobinthefieldtheymajoredin.Thisconfidencestemsfromstudentsbelievingthattheirmajorsareversatile,offerthemaccesstojobopportunitiesinavarietyoffields,andgivethemin-demandskills.

§ Three-quartersofstudentshaveidentifiedacareertheywanttopursue,withstudentsprioritizingjobsintheirfieldoverjobswiththegreatestfinancialpayout.Studentsmostoftenplanonworkinginbusinessorhealthcare.Studentsalsoprioritizelivingwell-rounded/happylivesandrewardingjobsoverwell-payingorsociallyresponsiblejobs.

– The“typical”respondentplansonworkingonefull-timejobaftergraduationandplanstostayatthisjobforuptothreeyears.Threeinfourstudentsalsoanticipatehavingajobthatalignswiththeircareergoalswithinayearofgraduating.

– Oneinfourstudentsdonotanticipatehavinganydebtwhentheygraduate,whileoverhalfofstudentsplantopayofftheirstudentdebtwithin10yearsofgraduating.


KeyFindings(cont.)

7

§ Oneinthreerespondentshavenotperformedanyjobsearchactivity,andjustover40percentarenotactivelysearchingforajob.Activejobseekersaremostlikelytosearchforjobsonlineandcreateprofilesonnetworkingsites.Studentswhoarecurrentlysearchingforajobgenerallyspendlessthan5hoursaweekonjobsearchactivities.

§ Jobfairs,careeradvisors,andresumesupportarethemostcommonlyavailablecareerresourcesforstudents.However,amajorityofstudentshaveneverusedoronlyrarelyuseanyavailableresource.Studentswhodousecareerresourcestendtousethemin-personratherthanonline.Studentsat4-yearprivateuniversitieshaveaccesstoalargervarietyofcareerresourcesthanstudentsat4-yearpublicuniversitiesor2-yearcommunitycolleges.

§ In general, students believe they were prepared for all aspects of college and are satisfied with their college experience.One in three students report being unprepared for the financial obligations of their college program, while one in fourstudents felt they did not have the required time management skills required for their college program.

– Students believed that their college experience would increase their employment opportunities, give them a goodeducation, and provide them with the resources that would set them up for future success. Respondents generallyagree that their college experiences confirmed these beliefs.

– Overtwo-thirdsofstudentsreportlearningcriticalthinking,communications,timemanagement,teamwork,andmulti-taskingskillswhileincollege.Networkingandpersonalfinancerelatedskillsaretheskillsmostoftenlackingamongcollegestudents.


KeyFindings(cont.)

8

§ Students are slightly more optimistic about their post-graduate lives overall compared to their post-graduate careers.Nearly all students have some concerns about their life after college, with making enough money to live comfortably andfinding a job that is fulfilling and enjoyable being the most common concerns. These two concerns also have a large impacton student career choice, as students prioritize jobs that will allow them to provide comfortable lives for their families andwork-life balance. Students view health insurance as most important benefit a company could provide them, followed byflexible vacation/time-off and retirement/pension plans.

§ Academics, cost, location, and value are the most important factors students consider when choosing which college toattend. Students at 2-year community colleges consider cost to be significantly more important when choosing whichcollege to attend as compared to students at 4-year private universities. A majority of students would not have altered theireducation pathways if they had they been offered two years of free community college after they graduated high school.


COLLEGEPREPAREDNESS,SATISFACTIONANDBELIEFS


CollegePreparedness

10Howpreparedwereyouforthefollowingaspectsofyourcollegeoruniversityprogram?Note:Samplesizevariesduetotheexclusionofrespondentswhoselected“NotApplicable.”

7% 11%

8%

6%

6%

6%

5%

15%

13%

11%

11%

11%

10%

27%

27%

25%

26%

27%

25%

29%

34%

40%

41%

40%

41%

12%

15%

15%

14%

14%

17%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Financialobligations(n=5,278)

Timemanagement(n=5,344)

Sociallife(n=5,153)

Courseload(n=5,346)

Facultyinteractions(n=5,295)

Academicrigor(n=5,331)

ExtremelyUnprepared Unprepared SomewhatUnprepared SomewhatPrepared Prepared ExtremelyPrepared

• Overall, students indicate being prepared for all queried aspects of their college program. They are most likely to have beenunprepared for the financial obligations and time management requirements of their programs.


CollegePreparednessOverTime

11Howpreparedwereyouforthefollowingaspectsofyourcollegeoruniversityprogram?Note:2017resultssummarizedandaveragedfromoptionsonpreviousslide.

5%

6%

24%

65%

7%

6%

25%

61%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Notapplicable

Notatall- Iwascompletelyunpreparedtomeetthechallengesposedbymycollege/universitycourses

Notwell- Iwasnotadequatelypreparedtomeetthechallengesposedbymycollege/university

courses

Well- Iwasadequatelypreparedtomeetthechallengesposedbymycollege/universitycourses

2016&2015

2016 (n=1,360) 2015 (n=983)

3%

7%

12%

26%

37%

15%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

ExtremelyUnprepared

Unprepared

SomewhatUnprepared

SomewhatPrepared

Prepared

ExtremelyPrepared

2017

• A vast majority of students believe they were at least somewhat prepared for any given aspect of their college program. This isgenerally consistent compared to results from previous studies.


CollegeSatisfaction

12n=5,354;Overall,howsatisfiedareyouwiththefollowingaspectsofyourcollegeexperience?

9%

11%

8%

7%

5%

29%

25%

22%

16%

9%

37%

34%

36%

44%

46%

21%

26%

31%

32%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

JobProspects

SocialLife

CampusCommunity

Technology

Learning/Education

VeryDissatisfied SomewhatDissatisfied NeitherSatisfiednorDissatisfied SomewhatSatisfied VerySatisfied

• A majority of students are satisfied with any given aspect of their college experience. Satisfaction is highest withlearning/education and technology experiences, and is lower regarding social life and job prospects.


Pre-CollegeBeliefs

13n=5,354;Pleaseselectuptothreethatapplytothefollowingstatement:BeforeIstartedcollege/university,Ibelieveditwould…

1%

26%

34%

37%

56%

57%

66%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneofthese

allowmetoexploredifferenteducationopportunities

allowmetoexploredifferentemploymentopportunities

helpmetodowellfinancially

providemewithresourcestosetmeupforsuccess

givemeagoodeducation

increasemyemploymentopportunities

BeforeIstartedcollege/university,Ibelieveditwould…

• Two in three students believed that attending college/university would increase their employment opportunities, while over halfbelieved that their college/university experience would give them a good education and provide them with resources that wouldset them up for success.


Pre-CollegeBeliefConfirmation

14Towhatdegreedidyourcollege/universityexperienceconfirmthebeliefsyouhadpriortostarting?BeforeIstartedcollege/university,Ibelieveditwould…

7%

5%

26%

15%

17%

11%

11%

6%

33%

41%

35%

40%

42%

38%

31%

36%

42%

43%

42%

53%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

helpmetodowellfinancially(n=1,997)

allowmetoexploredifferentemploymentopportunities(n=1,798)

increasemyemploymentopportunities(n=3,558)

allowmetoexploredifferenteducationopportunities(n=1,381)

providemewithresourcestosetmeupforsuccess(n=3,019)

givemeagoodeducation(n=3,052)

BeforeIstartedcollege/university,Ibelieveditwould…

StronglyDisproved SomewhatDisproved NeitherDisprovednorConfirmed SomewhatConfirmed StronglyConfirmed

• Overall, students indicate that their college experiences confirmed their pre-college beliefs. Students indicate the strongestconfirmation with programs providing a good education, setting them up for success, and providing different educationalopportunities.


COLLEGEREFLECTIONSANDEVALUATION


ImportantFactorsWhenChoosingACollege

16n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingfactorswasimportanttoyouwhenchoosingacollegetoattend?Pleaserankindescendingorder,with“1”asmostimportant,“2”assecondmostimportant,etc.

8.44

7.73

6.88

6.78

6.46

6.10

6.03

4.82

4.70

4.21

3.85

0 2 4 6 8 10

Whereyourfriends/familygo/went

Onlinecourseoptions

Flexiblecourseoptions(e.g.remote,part-time,weekends)

Studentlife

Reputation

Prestigeandreputationofthecollegeand/ordegreeprogram

Jobplacementrates/Internshipavailability

Value:Thequalityofacademicsatthebestprice

Location

Cost

Academics

• Respondents rank academics as the most important factor considered when choosing a college to attend, followed by cost,location, and value. Course options/variety (flexible and online) and attendance by family are the least important considerations.


ImportanceofCostWhenChoosingACollege

17n=5,354;Howimportantwascosttoyouwhendecidingwhichcollegeyouwouldattend?

11%

19%

26%

26%

18%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50%

NotatallImportant:Costwasnotafactorinmakingmycollegechoice

SlightlyImportant:Iconsideredcost,butitdidn’theavilyimpactmydecision

ModeratelyImportant:ItwasamajorfactorindeterminingwhereIattendedcollege,butnotthebiggestfactor

VeryImportant:ItwasoneofthebiggestfactorsindeterminingwhereIattendedcollege

ExtremelyImportant:ItwasthebiggestfactorindeterminingwhereIattendedcollege

• Over half of students considered cost to be “Extremely Important” or “Very Important” when deciding which college they wouldattend. However, approximately one in three students indicate that cost did not have a major impact on their college selection.

44%


38%

54%

42%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other(n=94)(D)

2-yearcommunitycollege(n=1,195)(C)

4-yearpubliccollege/university(n=3,006)(B)

4-yearprivatecollege/university(n=777)(A)

%whoselected“ExtremelyImportant”or“VeryImportant”

ImportanceofCostWhenChoosingACollege– bySchoolType

18Howimportantwascosttoyouwhendecidingwhichcollegeyouwouldattend?

• Students who currently attend 2-year community colleges are the most likely to have considered cost as an important factor whenthey decided which college to attend.


DecisionifTwoYearsofFreeCommunityCollegeWereOfferedAfterHighSchool

19Iftwoyearsoffreecommunitycollegehadbeenofferedtoyouwhenyougraduatedfromhighschool,wouldyouhave:

5%

9%

39%

46%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Iwasofferedandacceptedtwoyearsoffreecommunitycollege

Attendedcommunitycollegeinsteadofyourcurrentcollegeoruniversity

Attendedcommunitycollegebeforeenrollinginyourcurrentcollegeoruniversity

Donenothingdifferently

• When offered the chance to attend two years of free community college, students are slightly more likely to have done nothingdifferently than attend community college before enrolling in their current college.


SkillsLearnedinCollege

20Whichofthefollowingskillshaveyoulearnedatcollege?Selectallthatapply.

2015(n=983)(A)

2016(n=1,360)(B)

2017(n=5,354)(C)

Howtothinkcriticallyaboutproblems - - 70%

Howtocommunicatewellwithpeersandsuperiors - - 68%

Howtomanagetimewell - - 67%

Howtoeffectivelyworkinagroup - - 66%

Howtomultitask/managemultipleprioritiesatonce 67% 66% 66%

Howtocollaborateasamemberofateam - - 65%

Howtogiveapresentationtoanaudience 62% 63% 62%

Howtosolvecomplexproblems - - 57%

Howtousetechnologythatiscommoninmostworkplaces 57%(C) 55%(C) 50%

Howtowritearesume 49%(C) 51%(C) 44%

Howtoanalyzeissuesholistically - - 42%

Howtoconductmyselfinajobinterview 44%(C) 42%(C) 38%

Howtousetechnologythatisspecializedtocertainindustries - - 37%

Howtonetworkand/orsearchforajob 42%(C) 41%(C) 34%

Howtoplanpersonalfinancesand/ormanageabudget 35%(C) 31% 30%

• Over two thirds of students report learning critical thinking, communications, time management, teamwork, and multitaskingskills while in college.

• Less than half of respondents indicate learning resume writing, interviewing, networking, and personal finance skills in college.


CAREERPREPAREDNESSANDIMPACTOFCOLLEGE


CareerPreparedness

22Howprepareddoyoufeelforyourprofessionalcareer?Note:Theresponseoptionsforthisquestionwerechangedinthe2017iterationofthisstudy.

8%

8%

7%

25%

27%

24%

48%

45%

49%

19%

20%

21%

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

2014 (n=607)(C)

2015 (n=983)(B)

2016 (n=1,360)(A)

2014to2016Notatallprepared Onlyalittleprepared Somewhatprepared Veryprepared

8% 23% 41% 22% 7%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2017 (n=5,354)

2017NotAtAllPrepared SlightlyPrepared ModeratelyPrepared VeryPrepared ExtremelyPrepared

• Less than a third of students (29%) feel “Very Prepared” or “Extremely Prepared” for their professional career. This is similar to thelevels noted in previous iterations of the study.

• Most students indicate feeling “Moderately Prepared” for their professional career; consistent with previous study iterationswhere most students felt “Somewhat Prepared” for their professional career.


CareerPreparednessandResourceUse– ByGender

23Note:Asterisksindicatestatisticallysignificantdifferencesbetweenmaleandfemalerespondents.

• Male respondent are significantly more likely to feel “Very Prepared” or “Extremely Prepared” for their professional careercompared to female respondents.

• However, female respondents are significantly more likely to indicate future use of career resources – particularly Career Advisorsand Job Boards – than male respondents.


CareerPreparedness– ByCareerIdentified

24Note:Asterisksindicatestatisticallysignificantdifferencesbetweenrespondentgroups.

• Respondents who have identified a career they plan on pursuing are significantly more likely to feel “Very Prepared” or “ExtremelyPrepared” for their professional career compared to those who have not identified such a career.


CareerPreparedness– byClassYear

25Howprepareddoyoufeelforyourprofessionalcareer?

• In general, older students tend to feel more prepared for their professional career; with graduate students feeling significantlymore prepared than undergraduate students. Notably, 5th Year students are significantly less likely than 4th Year students to feelprepared for their professional careers.

56% (ABCDE)

35% (AB)

44% (ABCE)

32% (AB)

22%

20%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

GraduateStudent(n=282)(F)

5thYear(n=195)(E)

4thYear(n=748)(D)

3rdYear(n=1,191)(C)

2ndYear(n=1,551)(B)

1stYear(n=1,387)(A)

%whoselected“VeryPrepared”or“ExtremelyPrepared”


HelpfulnessofCollegeExperienceinPreparingforCareer

26Howhelpfulhasyourcollegeeducation/experiencebeeninpreparingyouforaprofessionalcareer?Note:Theresponseoptionsforthisquestionwerechangedinthe2015and2017iterationsofthisstudy.

9% 29% 36% 24%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2014 (n=607)

Notatallhelpful Notveryhelpful Somewhathelpful Veryhelpful Extremelyhelpful

17% 37% 33% 10%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2017 (n=5,354)

NotAtAllHelpful SlightlyHelpful ModeratelyHelpful VeryHelpful ExtremelyHelpful

10%

9%

53%

51%

35%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

2015 (n=983)(B)

2016 (n=1,360)(A)

Notatallhelpful Notveryhelpful Somewhathelpful Veryhelpful

• A vast majority of students find their college experience to have been at least “Moderately Helpful” in preparing them for theirprofessional career. This has been fairly consistent over time.

• Students in 2014 report finding their college experience to be more helpful in preparing them for their professional careers ascompared to subsequent years; however, this variation over time may be due to changes in question options.


HelpfulnessofCollegeExperienceinPreparingforCareer– bySchoolType

27Howhelpfulhasyourcollegeeducation/experiencebeeninpreparingyouforaprofessionalcareer?

• Students at 4-year public universities and 2-year community colleges are significantly less likely than those at 4-year privateuniversities to have found their college experience to be helpful in preparing them for their professional careers.

59% (BC)

39%

42%

50% (BC)

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other(n=94)(D)

2-yearcommunitycollege(n=1,195)(C)

4-yearpubliccollege/university(n=3,006)(B)

4-yearprivatecollege/university(n=777)(A)

%whoselected“VeryHelpful”or“ExtremelyHelpful”


HelpfulnessofCollegeExperienceinPreparingforCareer– byClassYear

28Howhelpfulhasyourcollegeeducation/experiencebeeninpreparingyouforaprofessionalcareer?

• With the exception of 5th Year students, older students generally find their college experience more helpful in preparing them fortheir careers compared to younger students.

57% (ABCE)

42%

52% (ABCE)

45% (AB)

41%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

GraduateStudent(n=282)(F)

5thYear(n=195)(E)

4thYear(n=748)(D)

3rdYear(n=1,191)(C)

2ndYear(n=1,551)(B)

1stYear(n=1,387)(A)

%whoselected“VeryHelpful”or“ExtremelyHelpful”


CareerSkillsPreparedness

29n=5,354;Howprepareddoyoufeeltousethefollowingskillsinyourprofessionalcareer?n=5,354;Howhelpfulhasyourcollegeeducation/experiencebeeninequippingyouwiththefollowingskillsyoumayuseinyourprofessionalcareer?

43%

50%

52%

60%

61%

66%

68%

79%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NetworkingSkills

PresentationSkills

TechnicalSkills

WritingSkills

LeadershipSkills

CommunicationSkills

CriticalThinkingSkills

Abilitytoworkinateam

PreparedtoUseSkillsinCareer?%whoselected“VeryPrepared”or“Extremely

Prepared”

43%

50%

50%

54%

57%

59%

60%

64%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

NetworkingSkills

TechnicalSkills

LeadershipSkills

PresentationSkills

WritingSkills

CommunicationSkills

Abilitytoworkinateam

CriticalThinkingSkills

WasCollegeHelpfulinPreparingSkills?%whoselected“VeryHelpful”or“Extremely

Helpful”

• Students report being most prepared to use their teamwork, critical thinking, and communication skills in their professionalcareer, the skills they indicate college was most helpful in developing.

• Students feel least prepared to use networking skills in their future career. This is also the skill that students feel their collegeexperience was least helpful in developing.


WhatWouldHaveHelpedYouFeelMorePreparedforYourCareer?

2014(n=375)(A)

2015(n=983)(B)

2016(n=1,360)(C)

2017(n=5,354)(D)

Moreinternshipsandprofessionalexperience 59% 67%(AD) 67%(AD) 63%

Moretimetofocusoncareerpreparation 47% 58%(AD) 59%(AD) 49%

Betteraccesstocareerpreparationtools 38% 45%(AD) 47%(AD) 41%

Networkingwithalumni 22% 33%(A) 34%(A) 34%(A)

Gettingbettergrades - - - 33%

Choosingamorerelevantmajor/concentration 23% 22% 22% 21%

Betteraccesstotechnologythatwouldhavehelpedmestudy - 35%(D) 38%(D) 19%

Other 9%(D) - - 4%

Noneoftheabove - - - 6%

30Whichofthefollowingwouldhavemadeyoufeelmorepreparedforyourprofessionalcareer?Selectallthatapply.

• A majority of students report that they would have felt more prepared for their career if they had more internship/professionalexperience. Other factors frequently selected include more time to focus on career preparation and better access to careerpreparation tools.

• Only one-fifth of respondents indicate that better access to study technology would have made them feel more prepared for aprofessional career.


CAREERGOALSANDPLANS


CareerGoals

32n=5,354;Haveyouidentifiedacareerthatyou’reexpectingtopursue?n=5,348;Whichofthefollowingbestdescribesyourgoalsforaftercollege?

16%

8%

76%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Unsure

No

Yes

Haveyouidentifiedacareerthatyou’reexpectingtopursue?

6%

13%

18%

20%

43%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Getajob

Getajobwiththegreatestfinancialpayout/salary

Getajobthatwillhelpmelaterinmycareer

Startmycareer- evenitifisn'tthebestposition

Getajobinmyfield

Goalsaftercollege

• Over three quarters of students have identified a career they expect to pursue after graduation.• Less than 15% of students have salary as their immediate after-college goal; instead, responses indicate that students are more

interested in jobs in their field of interest or aligned with their career goals.


AnticipatedFieldofFirstJob

33n=5,354;Basedonyourinteresttoday,whichofthefollowingfieldsbestdescribeswhatyouanticipateyourfirstjobtobein?

7%

1%

1%

1%

2%

4%

4%

4%

5%

5%

6%

6%

25%

30%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneoftheabove

Construction

Agriculture

Sales

Administrative

Legal/Law

SocialSciences

SocialServices

Arts,Entertainment,andMedia

HardSciences

Education

Architecture/Engineering

Healthcare

Business

• Business and Healthcare are the most popular industries among students. A majority of students anticipate getting their first jobin one of those two fields.


DreamJob

34n=5,354;Ifyoucouldhaveanyposition– whatfield/jobwouldyouliketohaveaftergraduation?


AnticipatedPost-GraduationJob(s)

35n=5,354;Howmanyjobsdoyouanticipatehavingaftergraduation?n=5,354;Whattypeofjob(s)doyouanticipateworkingaftergraduation?

16%

84%

AnticipatedNumberofJobsWorkedPost-Graduation

Multiplejobsatatime Onejobatatime

22%

1%

4%

73%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Acombinationoffull-time,part-time,andfreelancejobs

Freelancejob(s)only

Part-timejob(s)only

Full-timejobonly

AnticipatedTypeofJob(s)WorkedPost-Graduation

• A majority of students plan to work one full-time job after they graduate. Approximately one in five students plan to work multiplejobs, most typically a combination of full-time, part-time, and freelance work.


FirstPost-GraduationJobPlans

36n=5,354;Howlongwouldyouexpecttostayinthejobyoufirstgetaftercollege?n=5,354;Howmanyhoursperweekdoyouexpecttowork?

21%

51%

11%

5%

12%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Lessthan2years

3to5years 6to10years 11to20years Over20years

AnticipatedTenureatFirstPost-GraduationJob

9%

59%

21%

6% 5%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Lessthan40hours

40to45hours 46-50hours 51-60hours Morethan60hours

AnticipatedHoursWorkedAtPost-GraduationJob

• Just over half of students anticipate working at their first job for 3 to 5 years. Only one in four students plan to stay at their first jobfor over 5 years.

• A vast majority of students anticipate working less than 50 hours a week in their post-graduation job(s).


TimeNeededtoGetaJobThatAlignsWithCareerGoals

37n=5,354;Howlongdoyouthinkitwilltakeyoutogetajobthatalignswithyourcareergoals?

33%

13%

25%

17%

9%

3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

IexpecttohaveajobarrangedbeforeIgraduate

Uptoamonthaftergraduation

Amonthtoayearaftergraduation

1-2yearsaftergraduation 3-5yearsaftergraduation Longerthan5yearsaftergraduation

• Just under three quarters of students anticipate having a job that aligns with their career goals within a year of graduation. One inthree anticipate having such a job arranged before they graduate.


TimeNeededtoPayOffCollegeDebt

38n=5,354;Abouthowlongdoyouanticipatepayingoffyourcollegedebtaftergraduating?

24%

15%

21%22%

11%

4%3%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Idon'texpecttohaveanydebtaftergraduating

2yearsorless 3to5years 6to10years 11to20years 21to30years Over30years

• One in four students do not anticipate having any debt when they graduate college. Of the remaining 76% with debt, over half ofrespondents plan to pay off their debt within 10 years of graduating.


PerceptionsRegardingMajorofStudy&Debt

39n=5,354;Pleaseindicatehowmuchyouagreeordisagreewiththefollowingstatements:

28%

21%

15%

12%

26%

25%

12%

11%

9%

18%

25%

31%

34%

26%

13%

17%

52%

49%

60%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

TheamountofdebtIwillhavesignificantlyaffectedmychoiceofmajor

TheamountofdebtIwillhavesignificantlyaffectsthetypesofjobsIampursuing

Iamhappywithmymajor

Mymajorwillhelpmegetajob

IamplanningongettingajobinthefieldImajoredin

StronglyDisagree SomewhatDisagree NeitherAgreenorDisagree SomewhatAgree StronglyAgree

• A vast majority of students are happy with their major, believe their major will help them get a job, and plan on getting a job inthe field they majored in.

• Although the amount of debt a student has is somewhat likely to affect their job search, it is not as likely to affect the major theychoose.


ImportanceofCollegeExperiencesinJobSearch

40n=5,354;Pleaserankthefollowingpartsofyourcollegecareerintermsofimportancewhenitcomestomakingyouagoodjobcandidate.

5.53

5.50

4.01

3.36

3.23

3.22

3.15

0 1 2 3 4 5 6

Extracurricularactivities

Yourschool'snameorreputation

Networkingwithprofessionals

Interpersonalskills

Internshipexperience

Grades/GPA

Adegreeinamarketablefield

AverageRank

• Students consider getting a degree in a marketable field, their grades, internship experience, and interpersonal skills as the mostimportant parts of their college career in terms of making them an attractive job candidate.


MyCurrentMajorWillHelpMeGetaJobBecause…?

41Pleaseselectallthatapplytothefollowingstatement:Mycurrentmajorwillhelpmegetajobaftergraduationbecause…

• Just under three in four students believe their majors are versatile enough to offer them job opportunities in a variety of differentfields, and just under two in three students feel their major’s skills are in high demand.

• Students are less likely to agree that their major will help them get a job due to a defined career path or major-specificrecruitment.


ImportanceofJobRelatedSkillsvsGeneralKnowledge

42n=5,354;Consideringyourcareerprospects,whichdoyoufeelweremorevaluableforyoutogainincollege:concretejobrelatedskillsorgeneralknowledge?

5%

4%

4%

46%

9%

13%

20%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Generalknowledgeslightlymoreimportant

Generalknowledgemuchmoreimportant

Generalknowledgemoderatelymoreimportant

Bothconcretejobrelatedskillsandgeneralknowledgeareequallyimportant

Concretejobrelatedskillsareslightlymoreimportant

Concretejobrelatedskillsaremoderatelymoreimportant

Concretejobrelatedskillsaremuchmoreimportant

• A plurality of students consider both concrete job related skills and general knowledge to be equally important when consideringtheir career prospects. However, the remaining students show a slight preference for concrete job related skills over generalknowledge.


JOBSEARCHING,CAREERPLANNINGANDCOLLEGERESOURCES


JobSearchActivitiesPerformed

44n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingactivitieshaveyouperformedwhilelookingforajoborplanningforfuturejobsearches?Pleaseonlyselecttheactivitiesyouhaveperformedrelatedtoyourpost-graduationjobsearch.

31%

6%

16%

18%

20%

28%

39%

41%

43%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Noneoftheabove/Ihavenotbegunlookingforapost-graduationjob

Other(pleasespecify)

Searchedforajobusingothersocialmedia(e.g.Facebook,Twitter)

Networkedusingothersocialmedia

Searchedforajobusingapps

Networkedusingajobsearch/networkingsite

Createdaprofileonajobsearch/networkingsite(e.g.LinkedIn)

Searchedforajobusingotherwebsites

Searchedforajobusingajobsearch/networkingsite

• One in three students have not performed any given job search activity. Of those that have, searching via job/networking sites andother sites is most common. Under one-fifth of respondents have used apps or social media as part of their job search.


JobSearchSitesUsed

45n=2,195;Youindicatedthatyouuseotherwebsitestosearchforajob.Whataresomeofthesewebsites?


TimeSpentonJobSearchActivities

46n=5,354;Onaverage,howmuchtimeareyouspendingaweeksearchingforajob?Again,pleasethinkaboutthetimeyouspendsearchingforyourpost-graduationjob.

19%

24%

7%

3% 2%1%

2%

43%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

Lessthananhour 1-5hours 6-10hours 11-15hours 16-20hours 21-25hours Morethan25hours I'mnotcurrentlysearchingforapost-

graduationjob

• Over forty percent of respondents indicate they are not currently searching for a post-graduation job. Of those actively searching,a majority indicate spending fewer than five hours per week on job search activities.


SocialMediaHabitsWhileJobSearching

47n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingbestdescribesyourcurrentsocialmediahabits?

47%

36%

11%

6%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Ihavenotchangedmysocialmediahabitsasapartofmycareer/jobpreparation

Ihavesomewhatchangedmysocialmediahabitsasapartofmycareer/jobpreparation

Ihaveseriouslychangedmysocialmediahabitsasapartofmycareer/jobpreparation

Ihavecompletelychangedmysocialmediahabitsasapartofmycareer/jobpreparation

• A plurality of students indicate that they have not changed their social media habits as a part of their career preparation. Only sixpercent indicate making a total change in habits as a part of their career preparation.


CareerResourcesAvailable

48n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingcareer-relatedresourcesdoyouhaveavailabletoyouatyourcollege?

2%

45%

46%

58%

61%

75%

78%

84%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

AlumniNetworks

JobBoards

NetworkingEvents

InterviewPreparationHelp

ResumeSupport

CareerAdvisors

JobFairs

• Most students report having access to job fairs, career advisors, resume support, interview preparation help, and networkingevents at their college.


CareerResourcesAvailable– bySchoolType

49Whichofthefollowingcareer-relatedresourcesdoyouhaveavailabletoyouatyourcollege?

• Students at 4-year private universities tend to have the widest range of career resources available to them, particularly comparedto students at 2-year community colleges.

4-yearprivatecollege/university

(n=777)(A)

4-yearpubliccollege/university

(n=3,006)(B)

2-yearcommunitycollege(n=1,195)

(C)

Other(n=94)(D)

JobFairs 85%(CD) 87%(CD) 81% 48%

ResumeSupport 81%(C) 79%(C) 57% 74%(C)

CareerAdvisors 79% 79% 76% 78%

InterviewPreparationHelp 69%(CD) 66%(C) 42% 57%(C)

NetworkingEvents 67%(BCD) 63%(C) 37% 54%(C)

AlumniNetworks 58%(BCD) 50%(CD) 23% 34%(C)

JobBoards 46% 46% 45% 38%

Other 2% 1% 2% 8%(ABC)


CareerRelatedResourceUse

50Howoftenhaveyouusedthefollowingcareerresourcesavailabletoyou?Howoftendoyouplantousethefollowingcareerresourcesinthenext6months?

63%

53%

52%

40%

39%

41%

38%

31%

5%

24%

24%

24%

25%

22%

22%

23%

8%

17%

18%

26%

26%

27%

25%

30%

24%

6%

6%

10%

11%

11%

15%

16%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other(n=93)

AlumniNetworks(n=2,345)

InterviewPreparationHelp(n=3,150)

ResumeSupport(n=3,864)

NetworkingEvents(n=3,013)

JobFairs(n=4,359)

JobBoards(n=2,370)

CareerAdvisors(n=4,026)

PastUsageIhaveneverusedthisresource Irarelyusethisresource

Ioccasionallyusethisresource Iusethisresourceoften

66%

34%

30%

27%

28%

25%

30%

22%

9%

21%

22%

20%

19%

19%

19%

18%

8%

28%

30%

33%

32%

34%

29%

34%

18%

16%

18%

20%

20%

22%

22%

25%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other(n=93)

AlumniNetworks(n=2,345)



JobFairs(n=4,359)

NetworkingEvents(n=3,013)

JobBoards(n=2,370)


FutureUsage

Idonotplantousethisresource Iwillrarelyusethisresource

Iwilloccasionallyusethisresource Iwillusethisresourceoften

• A majority of students have either never or rarely used any given career resource available to them. Career advisors and jobboards are the most commonly used resources among students, both used “Often” by less than one-fifth of students.

• Students are slightly more likely to indicate future use of any given career resource compared to current use.


MethodsUsedToAccessCareerResources

51Howdidyouaccessthefollowingcareerresources?

76%

81%

85%

24%

19%

15%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%




In-person Online

• Students are more likely to have accessed career advisors, interview preparation help, and resume support services in-personrather than online.


CAREERPREFERENCES,DESIRESANDCONCERNS


MostImportantFactorWhenChoosingaCareer

53n=5,354;Whenchoosingacareer,whatismostimportanttoyou?

1%

3%

7%

18%

29%

42%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Location

Tomakeasmuchmoneyaspossible

Tofeelchallengedandfulfilled

Tohaveanimpactontheworldoronpeople’slives

Toprovideacomfortablelifeformyselfandmyfamily

• A plurality of students consider being able to provide a comfortable life for themselves and their family as the most importantfactor they consider when choosing a career. Only seven percent of respondents identify high compensation as their most criticalcareer consideration.


CareerPlanning

54Howimportanttoyouisplanningforeachofthefollowingwhileyouareincollege?Note:Theabovetableshowsrespondentswhoselected“VeryImportant”or“ExtremelyImportant.”

2014(n=601)(A)

2015(n=983)(B)

2016(n=1,360)(C)

2017(n=5,354)(D)

Livingawell-rounded,happylife 89% 92% 93%(AD) 91%

Findingarewardingjob 90%(D) 91%(D) 91%(D) 83%

Findingawell-payingjob 85%(D) 86%(D) 87%(D) 73%

Socialresponsibility;givingback 79% 83%(CD) 72% 71%

• As with previous studies, students prioritize living a well-rounded life and rewarding work over well-paying work and socialresponsibility.


WhatWillMakeYouFeelFulfilledinYourCareer?

55n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingwillmakeyoufeelfulfilledinyourcareer?Pleaseselectyourtop3.

0%

7%

7%

17%

19%

22%

27%

42%

46%

48%

59%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

CorporateCulture

Autonomy

Travel

Havingaboss/supervisorwhoIlikeandrespect

Flexibleworkschedule

WorkingwithcolleaguesIlikeandrespect

Doingsomethingthathasabeneficialimpactonsociety

Opportunitiestolearnandgrowasaprofessional

Attractivesalaryandbenefits

Goodwork/lifebalance

• Students rated having a good work/life balance as the top factor in making them feel fulfilled in their career. Secondary factors ofimportance include salary/benefits, opportunities to learn and grow as a professional, and doing something that has a beneficialimpact on society.


PreferredEmployerBenefits

56n=5,354;Ofthefollowingbenefitsacompanycouldprovideyou,whicharethemostimportantforyou?Pleaseselectyourtop3.

0%

16%

18%

19%

22%

28%

35%

43%

50%

63%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Theabilitytoworkfromhome

Healthandwellnessprograms

Incentivesbonuses

Maternity/Paternityleave

Tuitionreimbursementforfurthereducation

Professionaldevelopmentopportunities

Retirement/pensionplans

Flexiblevacation/time-off

Healthinsurance

• Students consider health insurance to be the most important benefit a company could provide them, followed by flexiblevacation/time-off and retirement/pension plans. Work-from-home arrangements are the least attractive potential benefit.


ConcernsAboutLifeAfterCollege

57n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingconcerns,ifany,doyouhaveaboutlifeaftercollege?Selectallthatapply.

2%

4%

18%

46%

48%

49%

52%

57%

68%

71%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other

Idon'thaveanyconcernsaboutlifeaftercollege

PoliticalInstability(e.g.war)

Findingajobwithastablecompany(e.g.concernedaboutgettinglaidoff)

EconomicInstability(e.g.pooreconomy/fewjobopenings)

Location- willIhavetomove

Findingfull-timeemployment

Balancingwork/family

Findingajobthatisfulfillingandenjoyable

Makingenoughmoneytolivecomfortably

• Students most often indicate post-graduation concerns related to sufficient income and finding fulfilling/enjoyable work. Just overhalf indicate concerns with finding full-time employment.


ImpactofConcernsonCareerChoice

58Towhatdegreehaveyourconcernsimpactedthecareeryou’recurrentlypursuing?

10%

28%

17%

11%

10%

10%

8%

7%

6%

21%

31%

33%

28%

27%

26%

23%

20%

18%

25%

24%

31%

36%

35%

39%

38%

38%

37%

44%

18%

18%

25%

28%

26%

31%

35%

39%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

Other(n=71)

PoliticalInstability(e.g.war)(n=724)

Location- willIhavetomove(n=2,012)

EconomicInstability(e.g.pooreconomy/fewjobopenings)(n=1,822)

Balancingwork/family(n=2,379)

Findingajobwithastablecompany(e.g.concernedaboutgettinglaidoff)(n=1,781)

Findingfull-timeemployment(n=2,020)

Makingenoughmoneytolivecomfortably(n=2,824)

Findingajobthatisfulfillingandenjoyable(n=2,624)

LowImpact ModerateImpact HighImpact ExtremeImpact

• Finding a fulfilling job and making enough money to live comfortably are the post-college concerns with the most pronouncedimpact on student career choice.


Post-GraduateExpectations

59n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingbestdescribeshowyoufeelregardingyourpost-graduatecareergoals?n=5,354;Whichofthefollowingbestdescribeshowyoufeelaboutyourfuturelifeoverall?

3%

10%

17%

42%

28%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

ExtremelyPessimistic

SomewhatPessimistic

NeitherPessimisticnorOptimistic

SomewhatOptimistic

ExtremelyOptimistic

Post-GraduateCareerExpectations

4%

9%

14%

36%

38%

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

ExtremelyPessimistic

SomewhatPessimistic

NeitherPessimisticnorOptimistic

SomewhatOptimistic

ExtremelyOptimistic

Post-GraduateLifeExpectations

• Overall, students are optimistic about their post-graduate careers and lives. Respondents are slightly more likely to be optimistictowards their future lives overall as compared to their specific career goals.

70%74%


DEMOGRAPHICS


Demographics

61

Whatisyourcollegiatestatus? 2015(n=983)(A)

2016(n=1,360)(B)

2017(n=5,354)(C)

Freshman 33%(BC) 27% 26%Sophomore 28% 30% 29%

Junior 20% 21% 22%Senior 16% 18% 14%(B)

2nd YearSenior - - 4%Inamastersordoctorateprogram 4% 4% 5%

Areyouafull-timeorpart-time student?Full-time - - 85%Part-time - - 15%

Inwhatfieldisyourmajor?Artsandhumanities 8%(C) 7% 6%

Businessandeconomics 39%(C) 37%(C) 31%Socialsciences 12%(BC) 8% 9%

STEMfield(science,technology,engineering,ormath) 26%(BC) 22% 22%Healthcare - - 18%

Vocational/tech - - 0%Undecided - - 3%

Other(pleasespecify) 17%(C) 25%(AC) 11%Whattypeofcollegeoruniversitydoyouattend?

2-yearcommunitycollege 20% 27%(AC) 24%(A)4-yearpublicuniversity 59%(B) 48% 59%(B)4-yearprivateuniversity 18%(C) 20%(C) 15%

Other - - 2%


Demographics(cont.)

62

Whatisyourgender? 2015(n=983)(A)

2016(n=1,359)(B)

2017(n=5,354)(C)

Female 63% 69%(A) 68%(A)Male 37%(BC) 31% 32%

Roughlyhowmanyundergradsareenrolledatyouruniversity?Under5,000 22% 23%(C) 20%5,000to9,999 22% 27%(A) 25%(A)

10,000to19,999 24% 21% 23%20,000to39,999 21% 20% 23%(B)40,000ormore 10% 9% 10%

Whatbestdescribesyourethnicity?*AmericanIndianorAlaskaNative 1% 1% 2%

Asian 15%(BC) 12% 12%Black 14%(C) 16%(C) 10%

HispanicorLatino 10% 15%(A) 15%(A)NativeHawaiianorOtherPacificIslander 1% 1% 1%

White 53% 51% 61%(AB)Iprefernottosay - - 6%

*Thisquestionwaschangedtoaselectallthatapplyquestionin2017.Thereforepercentagesadduptoover100%.


Demographics(cont.)

63

Whatisyourage? 2015(n=983) 2016(n=1,359) 2017(n=5,354)Under 18 - - 1%18to21 - - 60%22to24 - - 15%25to29 - - 9%30to34 - - 5%35to39 - - 3%40to45 - - 2%Over45 - - 4%

Iprefernottosay - - 1%Whatisyourstudentstatus?

First-timestudent(Pursingfirstdegree) - - 85%Returning student(Pursuing2nd or3rd degree,etc.) - - 15%

Whichofthefollowing bestdescribesthedegreeyouarecurrentlypursuing?

Online - - 11%On-campus - - 68%Hybrid - - 21%


Contact:Tyler ReedDirector, [email protected](646) 766-2951

2017 Future Workforce Survey · challenges posed by my college/university courses Not well -I was...

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