The mantra of college students during the last four decades has been to graduate and find a job — until the recent recession. Since then, about half of employed graduates are in jobs that don’t normally require a degree, according to a recent study by the Center for College Affordability and Productivity.
After the recession, economists generally believed the problem would improve. However, a report released Monday by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that U.S. college graduates may continue to hold jobs that don’t require their level of education, even after the economy recovers.
Colin Knapp, a visiting economics professor in UF’s Warrington College of Business Administration, said these findings don’t signal a doomsday for college students. Instead, he believes students should be prepared to adapt to today’s job market.
“I don’t see this as a death sentence for college graduates,” Knapp said.
He said it would probably take time for higher education to align with the labor market and for schools to catch up with teaching the right skill sets.
Heather White, director of UF’s Career Resource Center, has worked with the center for about nine years. She said UF has seen increases in student recruitment and involvement by companies in recent years.
“We are on that cusp of seeing new industries and new positions for students,” she said.
White said it’s important for students to diversify their skills because many jobs graduates seek may not exist yet.
“Major doesn’t equal career,” she said. “There’s a lot out there, and [students] shouldn’t give up hope. There’s so many students getting jobs, and it’s important to tell that side of the story as well.”
