Employers More Interested in Critical Thinking Than College Major

04.18.2013
HR & Safety

Three-quarters (74%) of business and nonprofit leaders surveyed would recommend a twenty-first century liberal education to a young person to prepare for long-term professional success in today’s global economy.

Other findings from It Takes More Than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success, a study by the American Association of Colleges and Universities:

Nearly all employers surveyed (93%) say that “a demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than [a candidate’s] undergraduate major.”

  • Even more (95%) say they prioritize hiring college graduates with skills that will help them contribute to innovation in the workplace. About 95% of those surveyed also say it is important that those they hire demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning.
  • More than 75% of those surveyed say they want more emphasis on five key areas including: critical thinking, complex problem solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.
  • 80% of employers agree that, regardless of their major, every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.

Full report

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