College Learning for 21 st Century Challenges: Views from Employers

1. College Learning for 21st Century Challenges: Views from Employers College Learning and Oregon’s Future January 7, 2010 Debra Humphreys Association of American Colleges and Universities humphreys@aacu.org

2. “A COLLABORATION BETWEEN EDUCATORS AND EMPLOYERS”

3. National Surveys of Employers on College Learning and Graduates’ Work Readiness AAC&U commissioned Hart Research Associates (in 2006, 2007, and in late 2009) to interview employers (C-level suite executives and, in 2009 additional human resource professionals) whose companies report that hiring relatively large numbers of college graduates Findings are summarized in the following reports: How Should Colleges Prepare Students to Succeed in Today’s Global Economy? (AAC&U, 2007) How Should Colleges Assess and Improve Student Learning? Employers’ Views on the Accountability Challenge (AAC&U, 2008) Raising the Bar: Employers’ Views on College Learning in the Wake of the Economic Downturn (AAC&U, forthcoming 2010) See: www.aacu.org/leap/public_opinion_research

4. How important is it for colleges and universities to provide the type of education described below? This particular approach to a four-year college education provides both broad knowledge in a variety of areas of study and more in-depth knowledge in a specific major or field of interest. It also helps students develop a sense of social responsibility, as well as intellectual and practical skills that span all areas of study, such as communication, analytical, and problem-solving skills, and a demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills in real-world settings. Source: How Should Colleges Prepare Students to Succeed in Today’s Global Economy? (AAC&U, 2007)

5. How important is it for colleges and universities to provide this type of education (see previous slide)? Not sure Less/not important Very important Fairlyimportant Business Leaders * 76% of employers would recommend this type of education to a young person they know. Source: How Should Colleges Prepare Students to Succeed in Today’s Global Economy? (AAC&U, 2007)

6. P e t e r D HART RESEARCH A S S O C I A T E S Raising The Bar Employers’ Views On College Learning In The Wake Of The Economic Downturn Key findings from survey among 302 employersConducted October 27 – November 17, 2009for

7. 2009 AAC&U Survey Methodology • Survey among 302 executives at private sector and non-profit organizations that have 25 or more employees • Each reports that 25% or more of their new hires hold an associate’s degree from a two-year college or a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college. • Overall margin of error = +5.7 percentage points Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

8. Nearly half of employers have had layoffs in the past 12 months. Did your company downsize or lay off any employees over the last twelve months because of the downturn in the economy? Company has had layoffs in past year No layoffs in past year Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

9. Nearly two in five employers expect to increase staff level in the next year. Expectations of Company’s Staff Level in the Next Year Will increase, hire more employees Will keep staff level steady Will decrease, lay people off Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

10. Will put MORE emphasis on hiring people with this level of education Will put the same emphasis as before on hiring people with this level of education Will put LESS emphasis on hiring people with this level of education Do notplan toincreasestaffing 21% 75% 3% Plan toincreasestaffing 38% 58% 4% More emphasis on BA/BS degree Same emphasis onBA/BS degree Less emphasis onBA/BS degree Employers expect increased emphasis on hiring people with a bachelor’s degree. Expectations of Company’s Emphasis on Education Level of Hirees High school degree, no further education Associate’s degree from two-yr college Bachelor’s degree from four-yr college Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

11. Employers’ expectations of employees have increased. % who agree with each statement Our company is asking employees to take on more responsibilities and to use a broader set of skills than in the past Employees are expected to work harder to coordinate with other departments than in the past The challenges employees face within our company are more complex today than they were in the past To succeed in our company, employees need higher levels of learning and knowledge today than they did in the past Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

12. Doing good job Some improvement needed Significant improvement needed Employers perceive room for two-year and four-year colleges to improve. How good a job are our colleges/universities doing in preparing students effectively for the challenges of today’s global economy? Two-year colleges and universities 60% Four-year colleges and universities 68%

13. Broad skills/knowledge AND specific skills/ knowledge are needed for career success. Which is more important for recent college graduates who want to pursue advancement and long-term career success at your company? BOTH in-depth AND broad range of skills and knowledge In-depth knowledge and skills that apply to a specific field or position Broad range of skills and knowledge that apply to a range of fields or positions Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

14. Employers assess the potential value of emerging educational practices. % saying each would help a lot/fair amount to prepare college students for success 84% 81% 81% 73% Expecting students to complete a significant project before graduation that demonstrates their depth of knowledge in their major AND their acquisition of analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills (62% help a lot) Expecting students to complete an internship or community-based field project to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences (66%) Ensuring that students develop the skills to research questions in their field and develop evidence-based analyses(57%) Expecting students to work through ethical issues and debates to form their own judgments about the issues at stake (48%) Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

15. Employers assess the potential value of emerging educational practices. % saying each would help a lot/fair amount to prepare college students for success 65% 60% 58% 50% Expecting students to acquire hands-on or direct experience with the methods of science so they will understand how scientific judgments are reached (40% help a lot) Expecting students to learn about cultural and ethnic diversity in the context of the United States (34%) Expecting students to learn about the point of view of societies other than those of Western Europe or North America (35%) Expecting students to take courses that explore big challenges facing society, such as environmental sustainability, public health, or human rights (28%) Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

16. Employers’ Top Priorities For Student Learning Outcomes In College % saying two- and four-year colleges should place MORE emphasis on helping students develop these skills, qualities, capabilities, knowledge Effective oral/written communication Critical thinking/ analytical reasoning Knowledge/skills applied to real world settings Analyze/solve complex problems Connect choices and actions to ethical decisions Teamwork skills/ ability to collaborate Ability to innovate and be creative Concepts/developments in science/technology Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

17. Other Areas Of Learning Needing Increased Emphasis % saying two- and four-year colleges should place MORE emphasis on helping students develop these skills, qualities, capabilities, knowledge Locate/organize/evaluate information Understand global context of situations/decisions Global issues’ implications for future Understand & work with numbers/statistics Understand role of U.S. in the world Knowledge of cultural diversity in US/world Civic knowledge, community engagement Foreign language proficiency Understands democratic institutions/values Source: Raising the Bar (AAC&U, 2010)

18. Employer Views in Oregonbased on mini-survey in November/December 2009 • Higher education is essential to ensure both the nation’s and Oregon’s ability to compete in the global economy. • Oregon employers believe that college graduates are best prepared with both a broad range of skills and knowledge and in-depth field-specific knowledge. • College graduates are well-prepared for entry-level work, but only somewhat prepared for advancement. Source: Oregon Business Council Survey (2009)

19. Employer Views in Oregonbased on mini-survey in November/December 2009 • Most important outcomes: oral and written communication teamwork critical thinking adaptability quantitative reasoning ethical decision-making self-direction Source: Oregon Business Council Survey (2009)

20. Employer Views in Oregonbased on mini-survey in November/December 2009 • Current transcripts are only fairly or somewhat useful. • Very/fairly useful activities: assessments of internships electronic portfolios senior projects Source: Oregon Business Council Survey (2009)

21. In a Knowledge Economy, Liberal Education—and the Outcomes It Develops—Are Key to American Capability and Student Success