Do Universities Still Prepare Students for the Working World?

We cannot deny that education is an essential step in upgrading one’s analytical abilities and kindling a competitive spirit

When it comes to higher education there will always be this debate:

Do the study programs actually prepare the students for the world of work?

Nowadays, universities are boasting that they are equipping students with the right skills. But employers are still sceptical about what the students learn and how it prepares students for work.

How higher education prepares students for jobs

The university is the place where one enhances their knowledge about subjects and gain skills that will help in applying that knowledge in real life.

Let’s see how higher education prepares students for the industry:

Teamwork - Through group projects, students are introduced to the concept of team building. It allows them to work in groups and gives them a chance to sharpen their leadership skills.
Oral communication - Students can get exposed to public speaking in the university. Of course, there are those who avoid giving presentations or participating in debates, but those who do would not get afraid to give a presentation in the workplace later in their careers.
Organisational skills - University life teaches students to manage their study routine, meet assignment deadlines, and handle multiple projects. This is how they learn to prioritise things, work with to-do lists, planners and develop a system that can enhance their productivity.
Written communication - There are excessive amounts of assignments students have to prepare in the university. They learn the whole process of writing such as drafting, editing, and proofreading.

Recognising the gap

Even though higher education does prepare students for jobs, some employers are still sceptical. They don’t think the students are ‘job ready’.

But, the university qualifications are becoming major criteria for hiring employees and getting higher paid jobs. Hence, it has become important to address the gaps in higher education.

Academic grades do not equal intelligence

There is no strong correlation found between an employee’s education level and their job performance. Instead, it has been found that the intelligence scores of a person indicate their job potential in a better way.

Though, the academic scores of a person only indicate what they have studied in the degree. So, it is still a quest for the employers on what criteria they should hire people.

Students still lack soft skills

More universities are focusing on soft skills now. This is an essential factor that employers look for in job candidates.

Since technology use is increasing in the industries, employers today want candidates who have skills other than machines such as emotional intelligence, resilience, integrity and critical thinking.

Overall, it’s not only about the educational institutions that need to be revised. The students pursuing higher education must realise that it’s their responsibility to keep searching for opportunities to enhance their skills.

Similarly, employers need to be more open-minded while hiring an employee by not considering having a higher degree as the only criterion for job performance and intellectual proficiency.

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