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Survey shows skills, attributes employers look for in college graduates
Students' majors rank as the qualification with the most weight
Theresa Schneider
Issue date: 5/8/06 Section: Campus News
In a survey released this month by CollegeGrad.com, employers ranked the criteria they find most important in a college graduate. The survey found that a student's major, and how it applies to the field he or she may be hired into, is the most important factor an employer considers.
Other major considerations include interviewing skills, internship experience, GPA, computer skills, personal appearance and finally, the school from which a student graduated.
Though she said the results are informative, Director of Career Services Jeanne Skoug reminds students that all employers are different.
"Some employers may have a GPA requirement, others might not. It all depends," she said.
Despite the different standards or requirements individual employers may have, Skoug said there is a definite trend in employers hiring graduates with liberal-arts degrees.
Students with liberal-arts degrees easily adapt to different situations because of their experiences in a liberal-arts college, Skoug said.
"It makes sense," she said. "The working world is always changing, so the ability to adapt is essential."
Skoug said students at UW-Eau Claire have an advantage when entering the work force because the university's curriculum stresses communication skills and teamwork. The other advantage to Eau Claire students is their involvement in activities, international study, internships and Service-Learning.
"A hallmark of our students is that they are so active," she said. "I have been at three other universities, and I have never seen students so active."
According to Skoug, 70 percent of U.S. college students have had at least one internship during their college career.
Seventy-six percent of Eau Claire students participate in internships, placing Eau Claire above the national average.
Other major considerations include interviewing skills, internship experience, GPA, computer skills, personal appearance and finally, the school from which a student graduated.
Though she said the results are informative, Director of Career Services Jeanne Skoug reminds students that all employers are different.
"Some employers may have a GPA requirement, others might not. It all depends," she said.
Despite the different standards or requirements individual employers may have, Skoug said there is a definite trend in employers hiring graduates with liberal-arts degrees.
Students with liberal-arts degrees easily adapt to different situations because of their experiences in a liberal-arts college, Skoug said.
"It makes sense," she said. "The working world is always changing, so the ability to adapt is essential."
Skoug said students at UW-Eau Claire have an advantage when entering the work force because the university's curriculum stresses communication skills and teamwork. The other advantage to Eau Claire students is their involvement in activities, international study, internships and Service-Learning.
"A hallmark of our students is that they are so active," she said. "I have been at three other universities, and I have never seen students so active."
According to Skoug, 70 percent of U.S. college students have had at least one internship during their college career.
Seventy-six percent of Eau Claire students participate in internships, placing Eau Claire above the national average.