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Employers¡¯ Perspectives on the Performance of Higher Education Institutions in Preparing Graduates for the Workplace: A Review of the Literature

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  • Matthew R. Hodgman

Abstract

Educational credentials play an important role in the job attainment process. To employers, academic credentials signal that a prospective employee has acquired certain competencies that certify readiness for the workplace. As grantors of educational credentials, higher education institutions (HEIs) are entrusted with the important duty of preparing graduates to enter the workforce. In order to better understand what employers need from HEIs in terms of preparing recent graduates for the workforce and the degree to which employers currently view the performance of HEIs in terms of preparing graduates to meet these needs, a review of the literature concerning employers¡¯ perceptions of HEI performance was conducted for the current study. Sources were reviewed and analyzed for reoccurring ideas or themes in the literature. Three themes emerged from the review: (a) the need for work-related skills, (b) the need for internships, and (c) skepticism toward for-profit higher education (FPHE) graduates. Suggestions for future research are offered based on the emergent themes. This study is beneficial to prospective college students, college administrators, employers, and higher education professionals and scholars.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew R. Hodgman, 2018. "Employers¡¯ Perspectives on the Performance of Higher Education Institutions in Preparing Graduates for the Workplace: A Review of the Literature," Business and Economic Research, Macrothink Institute, vol. 8(3), pages 92-103, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:mth:ber888:v:8:y:2018:i:3:p:92-103
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rajeev Darolia & Cory Koedel & Paco Martorell & Katie Wilson & Francisco Perez‐Arce, 2015. "Do Employers Prefer Workers Who Attend For‐Profit Colleges? Evidence from a Field Experiment," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(4), pages 881-903, September.
    2. Rajeev Darolia & Cory Koedel & Paco Martorell & Katie Wilson & Francisco Perez‐Arce, 2015. "Do Employers Prefer Workers Who Attend For‐Profit Colleges? Evidence from a Field Experiment," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 34(4), pages 881-903, September.
    3. David J. Deming & Noam Yuchtman & Amira Abulafi & Claudia Goldin & Lawrence F. Katz, 2016. "The Value of Postsecondary Credentials in the Labor Market: An Experimental Study," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 106(3), pages 778-806, March.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    For-Profit Higher Education; Non-Traditional Students; Employers; Business Skills;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • R00 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General - - - General
    • Z0 - Other Special Topics - - General

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