Employers are constantly on the lookout for job-ready graduates who can adapt to the demands of the modern workforce. Data from the Brainstorm Student Career Preparation Survey offers valuable insight into how students from various academic backgrounds prepare for their careers, helping employers refine their recruitment strategies.
Key Findings: Career Preparation by Discipline
The survey highlights important differences in students’ career preparation efforts across fields. Here’s a look at what these insights mean for employers:
- Liberal Arts Students
Liberal Arts students, often studying disciplines like humanities and social sciences, have a unique set of skills—critical thinking, research, and strong communication—but may not immediately see how these apply in traditional recruitment contexts. Only 27.6% of these students attend employer events, which suggests they may not recognize how their skills align with workforce needs. Employers seeking to attract Liberal Arts talent should consider emphasizing the value of transferable skills, such as problem-solving and adaptability, in their recruitment messaging. - Business, Engineering, and Computer Science Students
Students from Business, Engineering, and Computer Science tend to approach career preparation with more confidence, often because they see a clear connection between their studies and industry needs. For instance, 45.9% of students from these fields gain work experience in their area of interest, preparing them well for professional roles. Employers targeting these students may find success with structured internship and mentorship programs that align closely with their academic pathways.
Strategic Recommendations for Employers
- Highlight Transferable Skills: Liberal Arts students bring valuable perspectives to problem-solving and adaptability, but they may need help seeing the connections between their learning and workforce expectations. Employers can improve engagement by highlighting these transferable skills in job descriptions and at recruiting events.
- Offer Skills-Based Workshops and Career Events: To attract Liberal Arts students, consider hosting workshops or career events that focus on skills application, helping them bridge the gap between their academic strengths and your organization’s needs. For instance, a workshop on “Applying Communication Skills in Data Analysis” might help Liberal Arts students envision themselves in analyst roles.
- Broaden Your Recruitment Outreach: While Engineering and Computer Science students may flock to career fairs, a more personalized approach—such as virtual informational sessions or targeted emails—could be effective in reaching Liberal Arts students who might feel out of place at large, tech-oriented events. Engaging these students with messaging that underscores how their skills translate across roles can diversify your talent pipeline.
Employers who are responsive to these academic and preparation differences can build more inclusive pipelines and tap into the unique strengths each discipline offers. Supporting Liberal Arts students in recognizing and articulating their capabilities can add depth to teams and innovation to organizations across industries.
