Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
January 19, 2021
Given the change of course that has happened in the world, we wanted to provide expert opinions on what aspiring graduates can do to start off their careers in an uncertain economic climate. We wanted to know what skills will be more important, where the economy is doing relatively well, and if there will be any lasting effects on the job market.
Companies are looking for candidates that can handle the new responsibilities of the job market. Recent graduates actually have an advantage because they are comfortable using newer technologies and have been communicating virtually their whole lives. They can take what they've learned and apply it immediately.
We spoke to professors and experts from several universities and companies to get their opinions on where the job market for recent graduates is heading, as well as how young graduates entering the industry can be adequately prepared. Here are their thoughts.
Our Panel of Experts
Buffalo State College
Indiana State University
Rockhurst University
Southwestern Adventist University
Our Lady of the Lake University
Methodist University
Auburn University
Crisis Communication and Nonprofit Communication
Elmhurst University
Fairleigh Dickinson University
Misericordia University
Johnson C. Smith University
American University
Lasell University
University of California, Santa Barbara
Macalester College
East-West University
St. Norbert College
Finlandia University
Ashland University
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Annemarie Franczyk: They may be entering an industry that increasingly will require practitioners to be highly motivated to work efficiently and effectively away from an office location. Whatever the students are learning about being a successful remote learner, -- being highly organized, a self-starter, independent worker -- they will need to take that into their future workplaces.
If a graduate needs to take a gap year, what skills would you recommend they try to enhance and how should they go about doing it?
Annemarie Franczyk: No one location is better than the rest. The wider the graduates cast their nets, the luckier they will be in landing a job.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Annemarie Franczyk: Journalists increasingly will need to produce content across a variety of platforms, and because they might be working remotely, they will need to have great facilities with all aspects of devices, apps, editing software, and the like.
Jennifer Mullen
Senior Instructor of CommunicationIndiana State University
Department of Communication
What experience really stands out on resumes?
Jennifer Mullen: The following things stand out to employers:
-Work experience that relates to a respective industry
-Notable projects that are associated with a respective industry
-Organizations or teams where an impact has been made
However, I think any work experience is useful to include that can be tied to a story related to a respective job description. I think people often sell themselves short on paper and in interviews.
Students tend to think that they don't have specific jobs and may not apply for them. I have to remind them that even class projects can relate to job qualifications. They forget they get experience in the classroom - even with teamwork. Every career path requires the ability to work well with others.
If a graduate needs to take a gap year, what skills would you recommend they try to enhance and how should they go about doing it?
Jennifer Mullen: I would recommend more people take a gap year if students have support at home. By the time students get to college, many of them are burnt out on going to school and doing homework. Many of them don't know what they are interested in, and they are figuring it out as they go. Students change their major an average of three times.
As far as learning new skills, students need to explore their interests first. Gifts can come once they know who they are. More students should find employment and find out what they like and what they don't like. They should also explore hobbies. If someone can combine a hobby with a career, that is the golden ticket. For example, suppose students enjoy working with wildlife and are interested in digital media. In that case, they could potentially design the website and create graphics for the DNR (Department of Natural Resources) or something similar.
If students DO find they are interested in a particular industry, they can find tutorials of all things on YouTube. They can also find courses on coursera.org. I think there's a misconception that people can only learn in the confines of four walls - most people have the ability to teach themselves - they have to have the curiosity, the passion, and the will to do so. They should also find mentors in their particular areas of interest. I tell my students that "success leaves clues." Talk to the people who do what you are interested in. They will give advice most of the time. Find out where those people hang out and go there. Social media has made it so easy to find people and reach out to them.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Jennifer Mullen: Technology moves so fast, it is hard to answer this question. As soon as I finish this sentence, Snapchat might become obsolete (just kidding). I enjoy LinkedIn to find professionals in most fields. I hope it is still around in 3-5 years.
Who knew Zoom would be so important right now? I honestly knew we were heading to an online teaching era - I didn't think we would plunge in headfirst. I know technology is a competitive market. I assume that even more virtual platforms will be created in the next five years. As far as digital media is concerned, some heavy hitters seem to be Adobe, Canva, and WordPress. I assume more competition will continue to arise. And when that happens, we will be ready...because we have to be.
Peter Bicak Ph.D.
Professor of CommunicationRockhurst University
Communication, College of Business Influence and Information Analysis
WebsiteWhat general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Peter Bicak Ph.D.: In general, take opportunities to meet people and network. Be courageous and proud of earning your degree; it's an accomplishment in many ways-in an area of study, self-discipline, goal-setting, and, in a way, project management for four years (or more!) At the same time, show respect for employers-no one is owed a job. Thoroughly research your field and particular companies to which you apply.
Learning the broader landscape of the industries that appeal to you (or even those that present an opportunity to you) show that your thinking goes beyond being a jobholder or employee and more toward a career or lifelong learner. Never stop learning! Be patient. Most young people change jobs several times before they are 30. You may have to do something that doesn't feel like what you intended when working on your degree, but experience and hard work will create opportunities. Take advantage of the career services offices on your campus.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Peter Bicak Ph.D.: Some COVID-related experiences will linger. Some sources will go so far as to say that some business travel has been changed forever by COVID-19, given the growing comfort and efficiency of remote communication technology. As a medium, face-to-face communication is still so crucial because something special happens when people are in the same room, looking around for cues, generating ideas in real-time, and so on. Mastering and taking advantage of skill with technology, in general, will be more critical, but what's most important is understanding artificial intelligence.
Data science and the technology behind it will be necessary. Knowledge of how algorithms function and are written and modified by human beings and the values they express through them, consciously or unconsciously, do and will continue to have an enormous effect on how we live our lives. Careers in social media (such as social media marketing, social media account manager, etc.) will continue to grow. So proficiency in current and emerging platforms will be especially crucial, as will an understanding of platforms' political, cultural, and economic implications (for example, knowledge of critical questions, such as who has access to various venues (or even the internet in general)? How is social media used culturally? Who owns which platforms? What are their motives? How are platforms and media content related? What are the emerging economies with current and new media? Gig-economy? And so on).
How would you rate the starting salaries for graduates in this field, as well as the salary prospects down the line as they advance in their careers?
Peter Bicak Ph.D.: I would rate them as competitive. Business Communication, if truly comprehensive, has substantial depth and breadth of opportunities. Interdisciplinary BC majors should have significant writing opportunities, including for social media, traditional media, and journalism. The most prominent options are likely to fall in marketing, public relations, advertising, sales, and management due to the students' experience with basic business units such as accounting, economics, data science, and management. Internal and external organizational communication will always be a part of our corporate, civic, political, and economic lives-one still has to "get the word out" in ways appropriate to the organization for whom he or she works.
Thus, these technologies will be the key instruments for doing so, and there will be a place for business (organizational) communicators. While the major is not designed to be immersive in business instruction, it provides insights that give a graduate a leg up. So, advancement is substantial. For example, a major who enters the advertising and marketing field as an account manager likely has opportunities in the areas (e.g., working on an account in pharmaceuticals leads to other options not just in PR or advertising, but within the pharmaceutical field itself) in which that account exists, given their experience.
Glendal Robinson Ph.D.
Professor of CommunicationSouthwestern Adventist University
Department of Communication
WebsiteWhat type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Glendal Robinson Ph.D.: Writing skills are needed whenever you're talking about communication. Also, (2) Quantitative and analytic abilities; (3) Social (people) skills; and (4) Digital media skills. Video skills to a lesser degree.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Glendal Robinson Ph.D.: Urban areas, specifically high-tech regions. Also, anywhere with a large media market.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Glendal Robinson Ph.D.: The field will become more data and numbers-driven. Data Management Platforms (DMPs) will be more critical in building audiences. Advertising is becoming less of a driver.
Christine Carmichael Ph.D.
ProfessorOur Lady of the Lake University
College of Professional Studies
WebsiteIn your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Christine Carmichael Ph.D.: Despite the epidemic (or perhaps influenced by the outbreak, since SLPs evaluate and treat patients with COVID-19), job opportunities in speech pathology are expected to grow 25% in the next ten years. Maybe not so much for PhD-level faculty in CSD university settings, but I foresee an increase in school-based, private practice, bilingual and corporate/traveling SLPs once a safe and effective vaccine for COVID-19 is widely available and life gets back to "normal."
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Christine Carmichael Ph.D.: Fueled by the pandemic, telepractice using digital platforms for service delivery is likely to become a mainstay for speech pathology, or at least a woven component into evaluation and treatment plans. While clinicians cannot perform manual techniques via teletherapy, I think the mandate for this type of practice made us realize that many assessments and treatment facets can be accomplished with this technology.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for graduates in this field in the next 5 years?
Christine Carmichael Ph.D.: The projected growth in the job market beckons to a rise in CSD graduates. We thought our graduate program applications would suffer a significant decline in this cycle, but the numbers are right on track with previous years. We still receive 150-200 applications per year to fill 25 seats in our master's program. I don't see a drastic drop in the future for students interested in becoming speech-language pathologists. The field is richly diverse. SLPs evaluate and treat neonates through the elderly across a wide range of primary and secondary disorders. SLP demand continues to grow because of the expanding older populations, increased survival rates owing to medical advances, early identification and diagnosis, increased numbers of outstanding education students in elementary and secondary schools, and an upward shift in the need for bilingual SLPs (which substantiates our Bilingual Certification Program).
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Kevin Swift Ph.D.: A mix of new and old will be essential. The conversation often turns to technology because companies large and small love recent graduates' skills naturally. Shooting and editing video is helpful in all parts of this field. Knowing as many software programs as possible, such as video editing, graphics, animation, and data analysis, is a huge help.
Often lost in the quest for learning technology is writing and speaking skills. Technical skills are essential, but hiring employees almost always say that writing and speaking skills are becoming a lost art in the digital world.
Want to set yourself apart? Work on your writing and speech skills.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Kevin Swift Ph.D.: There are opportunities everywhere, but those about to graduate should focus on demographic shifts and company relocation trends. I always suggest checking a list of designated market areas (DMA's) and looking toward small and medium-sized markets for a good start. This goes for journalism, public/media relations, sales, human resources, social media managers, etc. It is possible to get a job in the city of your dreams, but the cost of living must be considered, and with an entry-level salary, it could be a real challenge.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Kevin Swift Ph.D.: The technology being used right now to help deal with the pandemic is likely to stick around and become everyday use, even after concerns are alleviated. Don't just learn, but focus on being a leader in the current technologies used to communicate interpersonally and with groups. They could set you apart.
Gheni Platenburg Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorAuburn University
School of Communication and Journalism
WebsiteWhat type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Gheni Platenburg Ph.D.: To prepare for tomorrow's jobs, students need a solid background in fundamental journalism techniques and the technical skills of today. This is a multimedia journalism industry, meaning journalists need to possess the ability to tell stories across multiple platforms. There is no longer such a thing as a journalist who only broadcasts work or writes stories for print. It's OK to have specialty areas, but all new graduates need to have writing, video, audio, and graphics skills.
Additionally, mobile journalism skills will also be essential. Before and after the coronavirus pandemic's start, the ability to produce quality work from outside of the newsroom remains a coveted job skill. I foresee the industry moving more into this direction as we advance. Therefore, students should take the opportunities now to perfect those skills.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Gheni Platenburg Ph.D.: Cub reporters do not always have the luxury of being picky when it comes to their early-career jobs. If you find a news outlet that is hiring, the work environment is right, and the pay is enough to sustain your basic needs and maybe a few wants, apply for the job. Even if the geographic location is not ideal, most people can live anywhere for a year or two.
Get your experience and move on afterward, if you desire to do so. Given the current industry changes, however, smaller community news outlets and digital-only outlets are great options to pursue.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Gheni Platenburg Ph.D.: Technology will change the way news is collected and the ways it is disseminated and consumed. Journalists are tasked with delivering the story in a way that is consumable and accessible to their audiences. For example, when social media began to flourish, journalists began using Facebook and other crowdsourcing and news dissemination apps. As new digital applications are created, news practitioners will adapt to those, too.
Furthermore, journalists are also innovators. We are always trying to improve our storytelling, and we are in a unique position to identify technology deficits that can impede this growth. Over the years, journalism entities such as Al Jazeera and the Knight Foundation, for example, saw a need for more interactive story forms. There were not existing products available to the masses. So, they created them. I encourage all journalists, new and seasoned, to follow their examples.
Kimberly Schwartz
Counselor in Crisis Communication and Nonprofit CommunicationCrisis Communication and Nonprofit Communication
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Kimberly Schwartz: -Before graduation, learn to write (error-free), speak clearly, prepare print, audio, and audio/visual pieces with the ability to respond in the media "language" (e.g., directed towards the media style and audience). Also, learn how to prepare for interviews, from appearance to mock interviews.
-Get two internships before graduation or one during college, and one immediately following graduation.
-Take a job that helps you build the skill set your dream career needs. Students will become contract workers, using a skill set needed by a company for a task before moving on to the next.
-Plan to get your Master's degree as soon as possible. This provides access to promotions and bigger paychecks.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Kimberly Schwartz: Years ago, geographic relocation may have mattered, but the location is not a primary consideration anymore. Many businesses are headquartered in large metropolitan areas, such as McGraw Hill and IBM. They moved from Chicago to Dubuque, Iowa, with IBM recently moving again to Columbia, Missouri.
Secondary to this, part-time telecommuting has grown into full-time, due to COVID-19. For many, this will become permanent. This then becomes advantageous for students who can live where they wish.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Kimberly Schwartz: Our society has arrived at the age of information haves, and the word has not. This leads to a community where the information haves has information overload.
This requires being selective and budgeting time, which includes sleeping, eating, and downtime. Ditch online media for a news summarization service, so you get what you need without having to read mountains of data.
The information have nots will range from those who have no technology and thus a lack of access to any media that is only online, to those who have technical access that relies upon social media and questionable sites whose sole function is to mislead or start rumors. This means local word of mouth that may prove incorrect or biased at one end to those who rely upon Facebook for news.
All of this has changed Public Relations from strictly a one-way information producer, but a two-way conversant source of accurate information.
Dr. Ruiying Ding Ph.D.
ProfessorElmhurst University
Department of Communication Sciences & Disorders
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Dr. Ruiying Ding Ph.D.: Our second-year graduate students have had offers rescinded in May because of Covid-19, but eventually, everyone who is looking for a job will have a job. Speech-language pathology graduates have strong job prospects despite the impact of COVID.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Dr. Ruiying Ding Ph.D.: Generally speaking, speech-language pathology graduate students don't have difficulty finding jobs across the US. If they want to work in an acute hospital, sometimes they have to be more flexible to move to an opening outside of Illinois.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ruiying Ding Ph.D.: We have used teletherapy and telesupervision almost exclusively this Spring and to a large extend this Fall. I think teletherapy is here to stay even after the pandemic, and our students have been trained in the clinic to offer teletherapy, and this is an excellent job skill for them to have in their future jobs.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Katherine Dunsmore: There seems to be a growing consensus that the place of work will be more flexible than in the past. For journalists, this will mean extra attention to preserving privacy on the devices they use for interviews and work materials. For others working in mass communication, this will mean a premium on innovative problem-solving, such as what to do with media that has relied on live audiences for part of its energy. People are finding these solutions, and this problem-solving ability will be highly valued.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Katherine Dunsmore: Online legitimacy is going to be the most pressing question. With foreign operatives becoming more adept at linking their disinformation campaigns to legitimate US organizations to provide cover, it will be harder and harder for the online audience to sort out fact from malevolent campaigns seeking to undermine democratic institutions. This may sound a little over the top, but the Russian government isn't paying people to make nice.
I think increasing digital literacy is going to be crucial to maintaining democracy. At the founding of the US, the postal system was understood to be crucial to the free circulation of ideas among the voting public. The same priority needs to be given now to digital literacy - the skills to distinguish the web presence of legitimate organizations from wolves in sheep's clothing. Also, by the way, print media still needs a functioning postal system, so we should keep the technological and financial support for that. The reality of the digital divide in the US (not to mention globally) is that affordable print media remain essential for many, many people.
Rachel Urbanowicz
Assistant ProfessorMisericordia University
Department of Mass Communications and Design
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Rachel Urbanowicz: In the first weeks of the 2020-2021 academic year, I have seen a more substantial commitment from my students in my face-to-face (masked and socially distanced) and online courses. I think they're worried about things that the pandemic seems to have taken away from us: a sense of normalcy, security, and comfort. If that's an indication of future behavior, then the silver lining, for our graduates' employers, maybe a more substantial, more determined, more sober commitment to excelling in a job.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Rachel Urbanowicz: Communications graduates have skills that apply just about anywhere. Of course, the broader markets offer more opportunities in terms of quantity. But as long as a graduate is hard-working, flexible, and has the right attitude, they will find options. At Misericordia University, our students in the Department of Mass Communications and Design are required to take courses in all aspects of the field, because companies increasingly want and expect a diverse skill-set. Students come out of our program having taken video production, graphic design, photography, and journalism. Our graduates work all over the U.S., traveling (in regular times) to cover sports events, producing news, working in marketing, public relations, and in the entertainment field.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Rachel Urbanowicz: I think it's more about humans impacting technology through communications, not the other way around. Every new technological development comes with flaws and security risks. It's important to understand that technology doesn't do your job for you; it's a tool. An excellent, fantastic tool. It's up to the human communications professional to become a superuser of the device and stay agile with all the new developments, to continually seek best practices and strategies so that technology is genuinely our ally and not our burden.
Valerie Black
InstructorJohnson C. Smith University
Department of Communication Arts
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Valerie Black: Yes, I believe there will be an impact. There have been thousands of job losses, so there may be fewer positions available for graduates. Also, media companies have shifted their operations from face-to-face, to work from home, during this pandemic. What many found out is that they were still able to produce quality content. We saw local and national news personalities working from their respective homes. Graduates are going to have to know how to perform job duties not only in an office environment but also from their homes. This means that technical skills will be just as critical as soft skills - knowing how to communicate well via phone, email, or video conferencing, being social media savvy, and producing work independently, without direction or extra help.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Valerie Black: I don't believe one geographic location will be better than any other. I think there be opportunities everywhere, and the skills they've developed in college will be critically important when they are applying for jobs. Some media companies are explicitly looking for college graduates for some of their positions. There may not be as many open positions as before the pandemic, but there will be opportunities everywhere.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Valerie Black: I think technology has always impacted this field. We live in a mobile society, so media content is gathered in different means than it was traditionally. Anyone can produce a short story using an iPhone or iPad. Some TV stations don't necessarily need live trucks to go live from a scene. They can use devices like LiveU. Even before the pandemic, the media has been utilizing social media to get messages out to consumers. Access to information is immediate. I believe whatever new technology comes along; people who work in the industry will adapt. What's more important than technology is having good comprehension and critical thinking skills, impeccable writing skills, knowing how to research information, and having a strong work ethic.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Scott Talan: Virtual learning and remote work is here to stay even if and when we are together again physically. The sooner a student and professional becomes, not just comfortable, but adept at working online the better for them. Part of the challenge will be for all of us to over-communicate to be sure we are clear and to make sure we understand what is being said to us. Another key skill will be how to work with a remote team. Also important will be to manage your self. Manage your emotions. Manage your working hours.
Dr. Erin Vicente
Associate Professor of CommunicationLasell University
Department of Communication and Arts
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Dr. Erin Vicente: I think the impact could be positive for the graduates, to be quite adaptable and able to communicate through various technologies in ways most have never had to share through before. Facing such challenging times and adversity allows graduates to capitalize on transferable skills of flexibility and adaptability.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Dr. Erin Vicente: I think, of course, any central metropolitan area, even those internationally, always lend for substantial opportunities in various fields, not limited, but including Communication. We see an uptick in many areas of Communication, and there is a need for the discipline in any organization's success.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Dr. Erin Vicente: I think technology will continue to impact Communication in ways we don't even know of just yet. However, online learning platforms, video conferencing platforms, and other social media platforms will be a way people can feel connected interpersonally to various people and networks. However, face-to-face communication will always have the wealthiest value in terms of interpersonal Communication.
Karen Myers Ph.D.
Professor and Director of Graduate StudiesUniversity of California, Santa Barbara
Department of Communication
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Karen Myers Ph.D.: Yes, there is some ongoing impact on the job market for our grads. Some industries are suffering or unsure about their immediate futures. An example of this is jobs in education, or in any field that requires in-person interactions. I recall that some of our students took jobs in event-planning. I'm not seeing opportunities in these areas right now unless they are planning virtual events. Of course, no one knows for sure how long this situation will last; in part, it depends on the virus. The good news is that businesses and other organizations are starting to sort things out, figure out how to move ahead, and adapt. That means that the hiring freezes are beginning to ... melt?
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Karen Myers Ph.D.: Thank goodness, our graduates are positioned pretty well to take advantage of many job opportunities during the pandemic. Any industry that can serve its clients remotely AND whose products are still in demand and sold during the epidemic is in a good position. Tech companies have been disrupted, but mostly they have adjusted and have an even greater need for their products. These companies are hiring and onboarding workers remotely. (I'm working on a research project studying workers who have been onboarded/socialized entirely remotely to compare it to traditional, in-person training.) A number of our grads have been hired in tech industries. I also see a lot of activity in marketing/PR. As long as these companies are serving industries and customers who are still buying, they are recovering and learning how to function in the new circumstances.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Karen Myers Ph.D.: Companies have learned that workers can work remotely. Many have been reluctant to allow workers to telecommute in the past, fearing a drop in productivity. Many have found that productivity is better. Workers can stay focused on their work, and accounting for their productivity isn't the issue they feared. Many employees are happy too. They like not having a long commute. They want the relaxed environment of working from home--open dress codes and not having to pack their lunch! There are some downsides, though. Some workers are finding it challenging to establish work-life balance and boundaries between their work and private life. Too, many miss the in-person interactions. For example, there are no interactions among workers before and after meetings, no side conversations. Some new employees are finding it difficult to feel like they can establish closer relationships with coworkers. They are having difficulty learning about norms in the organization's culture.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Matt Burgess: There's not an organization in the world that doesn't need people with strong communication skills.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Matt Burgess: Our grads, and young people, in general, these days, seem enormously resourceful, tough yet optimistic. I imagine that English majors will be particularly adept at navigating the challenges of 2020 and beyond. Our graduates are reliable writers, critical thinkers, and creative problem-solvers, with a deep awareness of historical and cultural frameworks. These skills will never go out of style, no matter the context, but they seem especially valuable now.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Matt Burgess: Of course, for better and worse. The 2020 graduates have already proven that they are flexible, resilient, and creative. We're lucky that these are the people who will soon be leading us.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Mike Bromberg: There are many great careers out there that can be attained as a result of getting a degree in English. One great example is the fact that many companies find that it's a necessity to develop and maintain their social media presence. They look for Communications Coordinators, social media managers, and media directors to make sure their materials, themes, and messages are organized and broadcasted efficiently and appropriately. Some people go on to graduate programs such as law school, as English courses engage heavily with reading, writing, and critical thinking skills.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Mike Bromberg: Digital media (and new media) are classes where students can learn cutting-edge techniques for how we view and manage media. Recently, I led a class that analyzed "fake news" and how information that we consume, even from traditionally reliable and name-brand sources, can report inaccurate and distorted content due to politics or ideology. We looked at the research to answer questions such as "how do you determine if the news is fake or not?" and "is an opinion piece considered fake news?"
How we get our information will be more relevant, and new media platforms will continue to change how it is consumed.
I felt it essential to engage students with sources from both liberal and conservative views, especially with the discussion on fake news. For many people, unfortunately, ideology is more important than facts.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Mike Bromberg: Many students, including the vast majority of our students at East-West, do not learn well with remote learning. The high risk of losing academic growth, the need for the community aspect of the learning process, and the high risk of the school not surviving the economic damage done with students not being at school are potentially just as troubling as the health risks associated with the virus. If students don't feel comfortable, they need to make their choice and put their education on hold. All faculty and staff are doing what they can, within CDC guidelines, to have a safe environment, and it's the best-case scenario. Having class back full time is, by far, the best thing we can do to promote robust health for the students.
As businesses are making progress with adjusting to new safety measures, vaccines and therapeutics are gaining more traction, and I'm very optimistic that graduates will once again have a wealth of opportunities.
Interestingly, the news we read or watch doesn't always paint a clear or accurate picture of the pandemic.
The data show that the overall circumstances are getting better.
Depending on which state you are in, and whether you are in a city or way out in a rural area will likely determine one's mindset on the nation's health status. I've noticed that in some states/regions, people are intense on masks, other areas it's entirely optional.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Kim Smith Ph.D.: This is an excellent time to graduate with a degree in communication; the versatility of a communication major positions students to enter the workforce with a variety of skills that can apply broadly across industries and careers. Be prepared to flex your muscles in different ways. Today's workplace trends show that new generations of employees tend to hold a variety of different positions, with various companies, throughout their careers, which means the skills that are used today may not be the skills that are used in the future. Communication majors have a full tool kit to choose from, making it possible to use tools that are most applicable now and to pull out different tools later. Be patient - employers today are looking for effective communicators who are resilient to change and can adapt a variety of skills to different conditions.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Kim Smith Ph.D.: Looking forward, we will continue to see trends in automation and connectivity. The push to digitize and automate will continue to change the nature of many jobs and introduce new opportunities to manage and innovate alongside these changes. Technologies that can self-direct and self-produce will be standard. As workplace processes continue to evolve, individuals who are adaptable and creative will fare well. Simultaneously, technologies that can connect people across space and time will be in high demand. Platforms that can simultaneously support and facilitate multiple tasks and interpersonal goals will be necessary for employers and employees looking for ways to establish and maintain their personal and professional identities and relationships
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Kim Smith Ph.D.: Before the coronavirus pandemic, many organizations were beginning to explore more flexible work arrangements. The epidemic has prompted those companies to adapt more quickly to consider what a more flexible workplace looks like. While this has presented some unique challenges, the bright side is that now many companies have a much better sense of their capabilities and understand where their blind spots are for making such changes. This will be very difficult to ignore, and as we move away from the pandemic, many organizations will find themselves continuing to prioritize flexibility, efficiency, and personalization. The result will be an evolving workplace that is better suited for adapting to change. This is good news for the many recent graduates who cite flexibility as one of their top priorities in a new job.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Carolyn Dekker: The Coronavirus pandemic is changing workplaces and job searches. Since many workplaces continue to operate remotely, students who wish to work in writing and communication roles while remaining in this small, rural community may find unique opportunities, thanks to the unhinging of work from geography.
Many of our recent English graduates want to become teachers. As school re-opening plans reveal themselves to be unsafe (mainly for teachers in at-risk age and health demographics), schools are anticipating a wave of teacher retirements and an elevated need for substitute teachers. Recent graduates may want to sit for teaching certification exams. Many states, including Michigan, have an alternate-route teaching certificate path that will issue a temporary certificate so that you can work as a teacher while pursuing a Master's in Education part-time.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Kris Hovsepian: I teach a Salesmanship class. You can show the basics of sales in about three weeks... so what do I do with the rest of the semester? In addition to role-playing, I invite professional sales reps to speak about how they got to their positions and what they love about sales. AND most bring their business cards! So, networking!!! I have had speakers in from Nestle, Smuckers, and Cintas, to name a few. And I have had students get internships and jobs from these contacts.
So, not only networking, but internships. An internship is a way to "preview" a potential hire. Does this person fit with the corporate culture? And does the student like that corporate culture? I had a student who got an internship through my class with a marketing company; when she came back in the fall, she told me it was the best internship she could have had - she hated it! She switched from marketing to finance and has been very happy with her decision.
Some of the speakers I bring in are former students. One pointed out that one's "public" appearance is essential. She encouraged everyone in the class to get LinkedIn and to use that site to promote who they were and what they could offer a firm.
