Higher education faces a pivotal moment. The question now facing every college and university isn’t “are our students graduating,” it’s “are our graduates getting hired?” The number of students who graduate no longer resonates as the best measure of success for higher-ed institutions. Employers are growing increasingly concerned that graduates don’t have the skills needed for today’s jobs.

The economy looks a lot different than it did ten or twenty years ago, leading some to second guess the value of a college degree. Job opportunities for workers without a college degree are improving. Students are facing higher tuition costs and more debt. It’s no wonder only one in four adults think a four-year degree is important to get a good job (Fry, et al., 2024).  

But here’s the good news: this new reality is an opportunity for higher education institutions to show how they are actively transforming education to make sure students are career-ready to give employers the workers they need to fill hiring gaps.  

Here’s why. After the degree itself, career readiness is now of the most cited top outcomes of higher ed across administrators and advisors. Across students, administrators, and staff, a whopping 96% of those who believe that college is worth the cost also believe that it prepares students for career success (Brennan et al., 2025). More broadly, more than 98% of Americans across the country agree that a college degree should prepare students for a career (Brennan et al., 2025).  

Colleges and universities are responding to this challenge with more career-oriented programming. That's where high-quality course materials that are intentionally designed to meet workforce demands can help. Education content and technology providers, the companies that have been trusted for decades to publish quality course materials, have adapted to employer needs and developed a vast library of digital learning experiences to prepare and train students for the most at-needs jobs. Using experiential learning that’s hands-on and uses real world examples, this content is engaging and preparing students with the skills they need.   

The future of work will make college education essential for workers in these growing industries. The United States will need an additional 5 million skilled workers who need some postsecondary education by 2032 (Smith et al., 2025). Of those workers, an estimated 4.5 million will need a college degree for jobs that require critical skills in fields like nursing, education, and engineering.   

Changes in AI and new technology are also having significant effects on the workforce. Some jobs will inevitably become obsolete while other sectors will see immense growth in careers, especially careers that require new technological and human skills. According to a report by the World Economic Summit, automation will displace 92 million jobs, but 170 million new roles will emerge by 2030 (World Economic Forum, 2025). The disconnect between what employers need and the skills graduates learn in college has a real potential to leave a generation of workers out in the cold if they aren’t prepared.   

We’re seeing colleges and universities respond to these challenges in real time as they shift toward more career-oriented programs. This transition requires access to career services and opportunities to participate in workforce readiness programs through employer partnerships. Instructors are using experiential learning simulations as part of the curriculum to engage students in new ways.   

Course materials paired with future-focused curriculums and training can ensure all students are prepared for life after graduation - regardless of where their career takes them. As employers seek highly skilled graduates, colleges and universities are positioned to prepare the next generation for their careers. Administrators and educators need to take advantage of educational content in the classroom that’s designed to prepare students for their careers.  

References:

Brennan, D., Bharadwaj, P., Narayanan, A., Shaw, C., Collins, I., Janson, N., & Bryant, G. (2025, August). Driving Toward a Degree - 2025. Tyton Partners  

Fry, R. (2024, May). Is college worth it?. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2024/05/23/is-college-worth-it-2/   

Nicole Smith, Martin Van Der Werf, Madeleine Adelson, and Jeff Strohl. Falling Behind: How Skills Shortages Threaten Future Jobs. Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, 2025. cew.georgetown.edu/skills-shortages.  

World Economic Forum. Future of jobs report 2025: 78 million new job opportunities by 2030 but urgent upskilling needed to prepare workforces. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/press/2025/01/future-of-jobs-report-2025-78-million-new-job-opportunities-by-2030-but-urgent-upskilling-needed-to-prepare-workforces/