You nailed the real problem! The report specifically calls out that universities do not have a clear definition of career readiness. However, here's more context for what the business leaders said:
"Employers also judge higher ed’s career-preparation efforts harshly. Survey after survey reveals that business leaders value the “soft skills” they expect students to learn in college, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. The trouble is, they say they don’t believe students come out of higher ed proficient in those skills. In 2021, the American Association of Colleges and Universities surveyed business leaders and concluded, 'Employers do not believe most graduates possess the level of preparedness needed for workforce success.' An earlier Gallup-Lumina poll put the matter starkly: Only 11% of business leaders said they believed college graduates were well prepared for the workforce."
Ah okay that's interesting, yeah because "readiness" could mean so many things, like how you detailed the differences in what the Gen Z employees and the business leaders consider to be "good communication", ironically that seems to be a failure of communication between employers and employees.
Thanks for sharing and breaking this report down, it was fascinating
How did universities and business leaders each define "ready for the workforce"? Did they ever talk to each other about what it means?
You nailed the real problem! The report specifically calls out that universities do not have a clear definition of career readiness. However, here's more context for what the business leaders said:
"Employers also judge higher ed’s career-preparation efforts harshly. Survey after survey reveals that business leaders value the “soft skills” they expect students to learn in college, such as problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and teamwork. The trouble is, they say they don’t believe students come out of higher ed proficient in those skills. In 2021, the American Association of Colleges and Universities surveyed business leaders and concluded, 'Employers do not believe most graduates possess the level of preparedness needed for workforce success.' An earlier Gallup-Lumina poll put the matter starkly: Only 11% of business leaders said they believed college graduates were well prepared for the workforce."
Ah okay that's interesting, yeah because "readiness" could mean so many things, like how you detailed the differences in what the Gen Z employees and the business leaders consider to be "good communication", ironically that seems to be a failure of communication between employers and employees.
Thanks for sharing and breaking this report down, it was fascinating