Millennials Optimistic About Job Outlook, Prioritize Passion Over Pay - Study

NEW YORK: With the unemployment rate for workers under the age of 25 lingering well above 14 percent—more than twice the national average—it may seem natural to presume that college students are concerned about their job prospects.

According to the results of a recent survey, "The Grad Gap: College Millennials' Career Aspirations and Readiness," which finds that a full 90 percent of college students are optimistic about their chances of finding meaningful employment after graduation. Amid a troubling job outlook for recent college graduates, the study's findings raise serious questions about millennials' level of career preparedness, concern for earning a return on their college investment, and awareness of tools and services that will help them develop the skills they need to thrive in the workplace.

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The third-party study of college students, commissioned by McGraw-Hill Education, reveals that not only are students highly confident about their employment prospects, but their priorities and definition of "meaningful employment" differ from those of previous, more financially-focused generations; The 73 percent of students report that it is more important to find a job that allows them to do what they love than to find a job that pays well;  Many students report that they would prefer a job that is beneficial to society (45 percent) over a job that simply pays well (27percent).

"Today's college students have career aspirations that are markedly different, perhaps nobler, than those of previous generations, and I for one find that exciting. But at the same time, we need to be doing more to help students prepare for the very real challenges they will face as they enter the workforcex. As education professionals and employers, we can and must do a better job of understanding who this generation is, what motivates them, and how best to encourage and support them as they get ready to enter the workforce," said Brian Kibby, president, McGraw-Hill Education's higher ed division. "

Other highlights from McGraw-Hill Education's "The Grad Gap" study include:

Few students take advantage of career resources provided by their universities. While 80 percent of respondents were aware of their college career centers, only about half (52 percent) reported they had used this valuable resource. However, students reported that resources and opportunities specifically focused on career preparation would make them feel better prepared for the workforce, suggesting that to be effective, resources must be not only available, but well integrated into student life.

Students rate their own interpersonal skills as a key strength and point of attractiveness for employers (70 percent)—more important than GPA (62 percent), internships (57percent) and other extracurricular activities (38 percent).

Many students report that several critical job skills were self-taught rather than learned in college. These skills include managing multiple priorities (51 percent), managing time (46 percent), managing interpersonal relationships at work (40 percent), searching for a job (39 percent), and conducting oneself in a job interview (35 percent).

Maryellen Valaitis, McGraw-Hill Education's senior vice president of human resources, offers college students the following tips to boost their career preparedness level:

Don't overlook the importance of a strong GPA to your job prospects: "Interpersonal and other 'soft skills' are undeniably important in today's job market, but recent graduates must be careful not to underestimate the value of hard skills." Valaitis also recommends getting involved on campus or in one’s local community: It's another way to apply one’s skills and show that he’s engaged with the world around.

A lack of qualified candidates is a real problem for U.S. companies—and students who prepare themselves to enter the gap stand to benefit: "Nearly half of employers report that they struggle to fill jobs because they can't find qualified candidates. It's important that students do everything they can while in college to boost their qualifications so that they can meet the needs of employers who want them to join their ranks."

Use all of the tools available to hone skills—including study technology: "It's important to use all of the resources available to them to learn job-ready skills and generally become more aware of what it takes to become an attractive candidate. Campus career centers and guidance counselors are great sources for information about preparing for a career. Also, using study technology like adaptive learning software can boost one’s academic performance as well as helps one learn important job-ready skills, like productivity and time management."

Know what employers are really looking for: "Students need to understand that employers are looking for candidates who have global mindsets, are systematic thinkers with problem-solving skills, and embody the traits of lifelong learners. They also look for students with a keen understanding of technology that goes beyond Facebook and Instagram.