Posted by Adam Weissman, Director, IT and Legal Technology at Glenmont Group
As a recruiter who specializes in legal technology staffing, and as someone who has also been on the employment search side, I constantly keep a close eye on the emerging trends that affect hiring and impact various industries and job markets across the country. I regularly communicate this information to my candidates and use it to counsel and educate my clients. One of the uglier trends in America right now is, due to the downturn in the economy and instability of the job market, many families are forced to make tough decisions when faced with the steadily increasing costs of pursuing higher education. A topic that has been hotly debated for decades in Corporate America is whether obtaining a four-year college degree really gives individuals a so-called “leg up” getting that first job over those who either have a 2-year degree or no degree at all. As families decide how to afford to give their children that academic advantage for their future, they should examine what they are truly investing in. Here’s some food for thought: If you graduate from a four-year school (we’re talking non-trade-specific institutions) and are not pursuing post-graduate studies, are you assured you have been equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to be considered a good hire for companies hiring in your field of study? The better questions are: For all the money it costs to attend a four-year college or university, do you feel your school has truly invested in establishing majors and curriculum tracks that stay current with the employment trends? And, is it their responsibility to do so?
Please participate in the attached poll below…your input is incredibly valuable, and the results will be published within the next 2 weeks.
In addition, I recently read an article on Yahoo! News discussing the rise in recent college graduates struggling to find a job or who are grossly under-employed. The perspectives shared demonstrate the widening gap and disconnect between what skills, experience, and knowledge businesses in the U.S. look for in potential candidates, and where they turn to find those individuals (eh-hem, future blog).
http://news.yahoo.com/1-2-graduates-jobless-underemployed-140300522.html
