KEY INSIGHTS
1. Nearly half of respondents report that their college experience left them unprepared for the workplace (47.2%) and provided knowledge that they do not use in their current profession (41.3%).
2. Data indicates that investment in a college degree provides immediately greater sentiment around earnings power and potential for young professionals but that sentiment around earnings potential quickly loses momentum over the course of a professional career.
3. 53.3% of respondents wished for better guidance before choosing a degree program and 51.2% of respondents wished for greater guidance in making the best career choices, highlighting a desire for greater access to academic and career planning avenues.
DETROIT, March 30, 2022 – As college students continue to grapple with the rising costs of higher education, more graduates are beginning to feel their college education didn’t adequately prepare them for their chosen career path, according to a new college and career planning survey by Employment BOOST, a full-service resume writing, corporate outplacement, and career services company, which surveyed over 400 people spanning the entire US with heavier weighting placed on the major metropolitan centers.
“As the cost of higher education continues to rise, graduates are increasingly wondering if their investment is worth the cost,” said Ryan Miller, Career Services Executive at Employment BOOST. “In addition to college tuition and return-on-investment concerns, many graduates increasingly feel like they weren’t given the necessary technical skills or knowledge needed to succeed in the professional world.”
According to the survey, more than half of the respondents wished for better guidance when choosing a college major and career, and better guidance in making career choices, highlighting a desire for greater access to academic and career planning services.
While 63% of those surveyed agree that college was a good investment as it relates to potentially higher earnings, only about half of the same respondents felt like they were maximizing their earnings potential over the course of their careers, and those negative feelings only increased with age. In a broader sense, an investment in a college degree provides immediate positive sentiment around earnings power, but over the course of a professional career, that sentiment loses momentum.
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INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT
The Employment BOOST Job Search Outlook Survey was conducted in Q1 2022 and surveyed approximately 400 U.S. workers aged 18-65, with increased weight on individuals located in major metropolitan areas and prime working years. Respondents represent all 50 U.S. states.
ABOUT EMPLOYMENT BOOST
Employment BOOST is a full-service resume writing, corporate outplacement, and career services company. With offices across the US and a staff constructed of Certified Professional Resume Writers, Certified Professional Career Coaches, Certified Diversity & Inclusion Recruiters, Executive Search Consultants, and SHRM-CP, Employment BOOST is uniquely positioned to provide best-in-class guidance and consultation to professionals looking to advance in their careers.