A recent CareerBuilder and CareerRookie.com survey gave some insights into how employers feel about new grads at work.  The survey found that 57% of employers actually planned to hire new college graduates.  Most surveyed employers believe that most new grads at work are very prepared and ready to be there.  However, there are many employers expressing concerns about new grads at work and why many are not prepared.

Why are new grads at work not prepared?

So why do some employers feel that new grads are not up to task in the workplace?  The summary of results below are revealing.

New grads place emphasis on book learning instead of real world learning – 53%
New grads lack blend of technical skills and soft skills – 35%
Entry level roles are growing more complex – 26%
Not enough focus on internships/apprenticeships – 16%
Technology is changing too quickly for academics to keep up – 16%·
Not enough students are graduating with the degrees employers need – 10%

What does this mean for college students?

The time to be thinking about what employers are going to be looking for from new grads, is not after commencement.  Although it is something I urge even college freshman to think about, it is definitely something that should be a priority for college juniors, college seniors and new graduates.  The more you know about what employers are looking for from new grads at work, the more you will be able to take steps to prepare to meet those needs.

Read the full article here.