According to a recent Gallup poll, only 31% of recent college graduates “strongly agree” that they gained “important job-related skills” while completing their undergraduate degrees. Most frequently, they wish that they had received more training in networking and computer software skills. They are more confident about their knowledge of traditional subjects such as math and writing.
Among other findings from the survey:
- Engineering students are most confident that their schooling provided them with key job-related skills. Art and humanities and business students are the least confident.
- Graduate students most commonly say that they wish they had more networking skills.
The findings suggest that colleges and universities can do much more to ensure that students graduate with key skills. To help, faculty can work on coaching students to build relationships in their spheres of academic and professional interest. Companies can partner with local colleges and universities to support efforts to provide students with networking, communication, crisis management, and other soft skills they will need on the job after graduation.
