What Employers Look for in College Graduates: Beyond Grades

By 2030, 39% of core job skills are expected to change, according to the most recent World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report. Rapid advances in AI and constantly-evolving work environments are reshaping the professional sphere. It is foreseen that skills relating to technology (particularly AI and big data, followed by networks, cybersecurity, and technological literacy) alongside creative thinking, flexibility, curiosity, leadership, social influence, talent management, and environmental stewardship will grow in importance. Of those, technological skills are projected to increase in prominence more rapidly than any other skills in the next five years. As demands change, workplaces are increasingly investing in training programmes to help their workers align with these new core skills, and businesses, academia, and the government are gearing up to help prepare the future workforce for the world of tomorrow.

As secondary school students prepare for their careers, it’s important for them to think about not only what course they want to study at university, but also about how to build the skills that employers will value several years down the line.

Today, many employers are finding that there is a gap between graduates’ academic knowledge and what they can achieve in a professional setting.  Since ‘soft skills’ (personal attributes that enable interpersonal harmony and workplace success, such as clear communication, persuasiveness, time management, or leadership) can help close this gap, they are emerging as increasingly crucial. Finally, the rise of AI is having an impact on entry-level jobs, as AI can handle many routine tasks. According to a Goldman Sachs report linked here, 44% of jobs within the legal profession may disappear, due to AI! This means that uniquely human attributes like critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence are likely to become even more important in the next few years.

Skills

The Institute of Student Employers reports that only half of employers believe that recent graduates have the desired ‘soft’ skill set, according to a blog from Reading University, linked here. If current students work hard to develop these skills, they will really be able to set themselves apart when applying for jobs.

What skills should young people look to develop? A Forbes article, linked here, states that (unsurprisingly!) AI and digital literacy will become key in the future. A World Economic Forum report, linked here, puts AI and big data at the top of the list of desirable skills. Networks and cybersecurity, as well as digital literacy, will also be strongly valued.

The WEF report also highlights the importance of non-technological skills, like creative thinking and flexibility. These skills cannot be automated or outsourced, as more technical or routine skills may be. Other important skills to develop include:

• Teamwork and emotional-social intelligence: No matter what career current students end up pursuing, these are key skills. Collaborating, working well with others, and building good relationships are crucial to doing well at work and contributing to a positive, cohesive team culture. Additionally, knowing how to assert boundaries in a kind but firm way helps avoid burnout and keeps teamwork healthy.
• Public speaking and communication: Again, these skills are used across a range of roles. Although not all roles will involve public speaking, they will involve communication of some sort like email, calls, and/or meetings. Being able to communicate ideas in an assertive yet respectful way is an asset in any workplace.

Building soft skills

By starting to build these skills in secondary school through activities like extracurriculars, courses outside school, and internships and work experience, current secondary school students can take the first valuable steps to set themselves up for success.

Below are some examples of how secondary school students can leverage their activities to build soft skills:

• Leadership roles in clubs: Demonstrate responsibility and team management.
• Student journalism or debate: Develop communication and critical thinking.
• Volunteer work: Show empathy, initiative, and real-world problem-solving.
• Online courses (like Coursera, EdX, and other online learning platforms): Focus on practical skills like data analysis, project management, or specific software.
• Internships and work experience: These allow students to gain practical experience, understand workplace dynamics, and build a professional network. Even part-time jobs in areas like service and retail can teach valuable transferable skills like time management, teamwork, responsibility, and dealing with unforeseen challenges.

When considering universities, one way to keep employability foregrounded is to look out for things like co-op programmes (which integrate periods of paid work experience directly into the academic curriculum) and special programmes like incubators (which provide resources and mentorship for students to develop their own entrepreneurial ventures). Additionally, extracurricular activities should not be neglected at university level: a student who joins clubs and takes leadership roles at university will be more employable than a student who focuses solely on their studies. Being involved in a range of activities at university is also great for networking!

In the UK, the educational landscape can seem focused on grades and academic excellence, making it easy to overlook the broader skills that will be valuable for students when they enter the world of work. By proactively engaging in extracurriculars, pursuing practical experiences like internships, and considering how employable skills will be built at university, secondary school students can set themselves up for success in a changing world. The future of work is in the hands of those who are not only academic, but also emotionally intelligent, creative, and distinctly human.

For more information on developing soft skills, choosing extracurriculars, and considering employability when making a college list, reach out to UES! You can book in a free call with an expert counsellor through this link: www.ueseducation.com/free-call.