Employers’ Needs Are Forcing Colleges to Change

There was a discussion in a recent FastCo Article on how colleges and universities will look in the next 10-15 years. This is how the process used to look:

1. Graduate high school
2. Pick a major
3. Pick a college/university with that major
4. Graduate
5. Get a job
6. Pay off loans

Technology is forcing higher education to look more at outcomes and teaching competencies rather than focusing on seat time. Competencies that employers are looking for go beyond the technical skills of a job. 60% of employers complain that job applicants lack interpersonal and communication skills. Another 93% of employers care more about critical thinking, communication and problem solving skills than an undergraduate’s concentration.

Focusing more on a holistic approach will foster better learning outcomes and meet the needs employers are looking for. Higher education is going to become even more competitive and finding a way to incorporate these skills into their curriculum is going to be crucial moving forward.