Here's the single strongest predictor of post-grad employment
USA Today • • business
Key Points:
- A ZipRecruiter survey found that college graduates who work during school have more than double the odds of landing a job after graduation (81% vs. 40%) and tend to secure employment faster.
- Work experience during college builds practical skills and signals reliability to employers, making candidates more competitive in a shrinking entry-level job market.
- Networking plays a crucial role, with 88% of employed recent graduates crediting it as important in securing their first job; working students also tend to start their job search earlier and are more likely to have jobs lined up before graduation.
- Degree type impacts job prospects, with nursing graduates experiencing higher employment rates and salaries compared to liberal arts majors, who often face longer job searches and lower-than-expected pay.
- Many recent and soon-to-be graduates are considering graduate school as a fallback in a tough job market, but experts advise weighing the long-term benefits against rising education costs.
