This AACU report (PDF) validates our efforts at Purdue through the Purdue Polytechnic Institute (PPI) initiative led by the College of Technology to transform the learning experience for students.
Many of the findings are items we are addressing through our curriculum innovation as part of PPI. Here are a few of my key takeaways:
- The integration of innovation into the curriculum is vital and should be a requirement.
- Ability to cut across majors is more important than the major itself, and “every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.” This is a validation for the integration of humanities, science, and math and the t-shaped graduate.
- Applying knowledge (theory) to real world setting. “Employers strongly endorse educational practices that involve students in active, effortful work—practices including collaborative problem-solving, internships, research, senior projects, and community engagements.” This is a validation of internships and industry-sponsored senior design projects.
- “Five key learning outcomes, including: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.” We are not going to get to this type of education without a transformation.
Overview from the report (copied and pasted as is):
Innovation is a priority for employers today.
- Nearly all employers surveyed (95%) say they give hiring preference to college graduates with skills that will enable them to contribute to innovation in the workplace.
- More than nine in ten agree that “innovation is essential” to their organization’s continued success.
Employers recognize capacities that cut across majors as critical to a candidate’s potential for career success, and they view these skills as more important than a student’s choice of undergraduate major.
- Nearly all those surveyed (93%) agree, “a candidate’s demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than their undergraduate major.”
- More than nine in ten of those surveyed say it is important that those they hire demonstrate ethical judgment and integrity; intercultural skills; and the capacity for continued new learning.
- More than three in four employers say they want colleges to place more emphasis on helping students develop five key learning outcomes, including: critical thinking, complex problem-solving, written and oral communication, and applied knowledge in real-world settings.
- Employers endorse several educational practices as potentially helpful in preparing college students for workplace success. These include practices that require students to a) conduct research and use evidence-based analysis; b) gain in-depth knowledge in the major and analytic, problem solving, and communication skills; and c) apply their learning in real-world settings.
Employers recognize the importance of liberal education and the liberal arts.
- The majority of employers agree that having both field-specific knowledge and skills and a broad range of skills and knowledge is most important for recent college graduates to achieve long-term career success. Few think that having field-specific knowledge and skills alone is what is most needed for individuals’ career success.
- Eighty percent of employers agree that, regardless of their major, every college student should acquire broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences.
- When read a description of a 21st century liberal education, a large majority of employers recognize its importance; 74% would recommend this kind of education to a young person they know as the best way to prepare for success in today’s global economy.
Employers endorse a blended model of liberal and applied learning.
- Across many areas tested, employers strongly endorse educational practices that involve students in active, effortful work—practices including collaborative problem-solving, internships, research, senior projects, and community engagements. Employers consistently rank outcomes and practices that involve application of skills over acquisition of discrete bodies of knowledge. They also strongly endorse practices that require students to demonstrate both acquisition of knowledge and its application.
Employers think that more college graduates have the skills and preparation needed for entry-level positions than for advancement.
- A majority of employers (56%) express satisfaction with the job colleges and universities are doing to prepare graduates for success in the workplace, but more than two in five indicate room for improvement.
- Two in three employers (67%) believe most college graduates have the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in entry-level positions, but only 44% think they have what is required for advancement and promotion to higher levels.
