Employers Confident in How Higher Ed Is Preparing Students

"Those are two of the big takeaways from " The Agility Imperative: How Employers View Preparation for an Uncertain Future," a new report the American Association of Colleges and Universities published Thursday. In the ninth iteration of the report since 2006, the group commissioned Morning Consult to survey 1,030 executives and hiring managers in August about their attitudes toward higher education."

""This is our strongest case yet that the separation between workforce and civic skills is false," said Ashley Finley, author of the report and vice president for research at AAC&U. "In the face of a public narrative that questions the value of college education, employers are higher education's biggest fans. They value the ways in which colleges are preparing students to be nimble and agile for an uncertain future.""

"92 percent said it's also important for colleges to create an environment where students of all backgrounds feel supported and to help them engage with and serve their communities. And 96 percent of employers said it's useful for college graduates to be able to engage in constructive dialogue across disagreement; 80 percent are confident colleges and universities are helping students develop those skills."

A survey of 1,030 executives and hiring managers conducted in August found 85 percent of employers believe colleges and universities adequately prepare students for the workforce and especially value degrees from institutions that emphasize constructive dialogue and disagreement. Ninety-four percent said it is equally important for colleges to prepare a skilled workforce and to help students become informed citizens. Ninety-two percent said colleges should create environments where students of all backgrounds feel supported and engage with their communities. Ninety-six percent said the ability to engage in constructive dialogue across disagreement is useful, and 80 percent are confident colleges are developing those skills. Employers view workforce and civic skills as interconnected.

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