Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
February 3, 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
Prairie View A&M University
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.
Adjunct InstructorPrairie View A&M University
Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Human Ecology
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.: The simple answer if there will be a lasting impact from a pandemic would have a range of responses. By evaluating the reactions and responses to the 2020 coronavirus pandemic in the United States, a range of these were been reported. There were the deniers who resisted accepting the reality or severity of this pandemic even to a level of believing it was a hoax. This was compounded by similar ranges of responses by the elected leaders of United States.
At the time of this writing, the pandemic was continuing. It was in addition mutating in different regions of the world. Though vaccines were being developed and administered, the full effectiveness of these have not yet been fully evaluated.
Also, the leadership of the United States has recently changed to a more proactive approach in addressing the pandemic and its repercussions on the United States. A new administration has begun to address the occupational and economic impact, including the major disruptions of personal, community, and occupational lives and activities. These included widespread economic issues, including food and income issues.
Numerous studies will be needed to analyze and evaluate many areas of successes, weakness or failures in addressing a pandemic. It will need a pandemic effort to analyze, evaluate and develop and proposals for constructive preparation and proactive changes to address multiple economic and social needs.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact on your job prospects?
Richard McWhorter Ph.D.: Due to an almost global impact the majority if not all certifications/licenses/courses will need to be reviewed and reevaluated to better address the wide ranges of impacts and deficiencies discovered. From these analyses, any deficiencies discovered in services and deliveries of training will need to be addressed and changes made in trainings for helping professionals public servants knowledge and abilities. These need to better address a pandemic level situation and the victims of a pandemic.
Therefore, all certifications/licenses/courses requirements for all levels of a population. These need to be reviewed, re-evaluated and if needed, modified or changed including being more adequate including diverse and possibly cross educations, trainings and experiences to qualify for different certifications/licenses/course completions.
In the areas of human science, the areas needing to be addressed include stress management issues, victimization, various personality disorders, post traumatic stress. disorders to grief responses. Some of the professional preparations needing to be reviewed with possible modifications might include specific trainings and experiences.
Especially focus on self care and support, especially for those who are the professionals who encounters the suffering public. Trainings on how to interact effectively with pandemic victims, both primary and secondary victims.
