Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
March 1, 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
Old Dominion University
The University of Akron
Siena College
Rutgers University - New Brunswick
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Houston Baptist University
Adelphi University
Bay Path University
John Cooper Ph.D.
Professor and ChairOld Dominion University
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
John Cooper Ph.D.: One of the most amazing impacts of the pandemic was the rapidity to which students and employees had to adapt to new online modes of communications and scheduling for large interactive groups. This was already a trend in the sciences where multi-disciplinary teams were geographically dispersed, but now it is a universally expected skill set, and this adoption took place in less than a year. Students who took classes during the pandemic were exposed to a wide-range of teaching and training pedagogies. Virtual labs, at home delivered lab kits, hybrid labs with students both in person and online, and every possible delivery method that can be imagined for lectures became the norm. Our students were unintentionally part of a great experiment where they were able to evaluate what works well and what does not work so well. Whether they know it or not, this knowledge will guide them as they make future decisions in their careers about the best ways to communicate, train, and interact with their peers, employees, and employers. Our graduates are the leaders of the future, and the successful ones will find this experience to have been invaluable.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
John Cooper Ph.D.: Although many skill sets are required of our successful graduates, most of these skills take a second seat to communication. The ability to communicate your skills, ideas, work product, and your vision for your area of responsibility to others are paramount to success. During the pandemic, these skills were brought into sharp focus as written communication took precedence over face-to-face discussions, and online verbal communications between large groups demanded a new set of skills for replacing the polite in-person human ques that we have taken for granted but which were developed from early childhood.
Equally as important as the ability to communicate is the ability to think analytically. As both knowledge and data has become democratized over the past decade, success requires that our graduates not only assimilate knowledge, but have the ability to use that knowledge to analyze problems and extrapolate their knowledge in new and useful ways. In the sciences this is encapsulated within the framework of The Scientific Method and is the cornerstone of the research which both our undergraduate and graduate students participate in.
What experience really stands out on resumes?
John Cooper Ph.D.: Employers want experience. In the sciences, research is one of the most important experiences that students can obtain. Research allows students to get in-depth hands-on training solving real world problems by putting into practice what they have learned in their labs and lectures. It also allows students to communicate their findings both in peer-reviewed publications and scientific conferences. Research experience is not only a top priority for employers, it is also required for admission to top medical schools and graduate schools in the sciences.
Dr. Ajay Mahajan
Professor; Associate Dean for Research, Industrial EngagementThe University of Akron
Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Department
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: I think the COVID-19 pandemic will have an enduring effect on graduates, and everyone in the workforce. Graduates will enter a workforce that will be fundamentally changed from the pre-pandemic era. Even after herd immunity, and after we go back to what we will call the new normal, life will not mirror the past. Industry will remain lean, cost-effective and risk-averse for some time. Whatever can be done from home, or remote platforms will be encouraged. Business meetings, interactions, and even negotiations may continue mostly on the remote platforms with some face-to-face meetings. Graduates will need to accept this as the new normal at least for some time.
What's a good job out of college and why?
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: Professional areas, such as engineering, medical, law, business, etc., should not see much change except the requirement of new skills that allow them to work with less social interaction. What may change are jobs in some areas such as hospitality, entertainment, transportation, etc., as many of these jobs will be lost to automation. Hence, any job that resists automation should do fine. Certain areas that have to do with climate change, advanced manufacturing, sustainability, health care, etc will do better than others based on the new administration priorities.
What will help people in your field increase their earning potential?
Dr. Ajay Mahajan: Anyone that can and has adapted to remote working will do fine. Remote working also comes with the caveat that you have to sometimes work alone, without supervision, make decisions on your own, and yet be a team player. Learning new platforms for meetings, business operations, project management and effective leadership will help in increased earning potential. In engineering, being involved in robotics, automation, sustainability, advanced manufacturing, Industry 4.0, smart systems, cyber-security, biomedical innovation, etc., is a plus.
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.
Chair and Associate Professor of Chemistry and BiochemistrySiena College
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic will almost certainly have some impact on student learning. Much of this gap will be closed in the first few years of employment if students work in fields directly using skills learned in the classes affected directly by the pandemic. This will affect skills, especially lab skills, from schools who stayed virtual. This is why we pushed for in-person lab experiences. Schools will work to close these gaps with students who are in the earlier parts of their education.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact on your job prospects?
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: College students are well served to spend time trying to find ways to differentiate their college degree. This can be accomplished by taking additional classes, participating in additional experiences, and providing service to their community. In chemistry, internships and experience in research are excellent examples of high impact practices that allow scientific maturation. Relationships with your professors and other students and community members can have a real networking benefit. Introducing students to scientific community members can help advance job prospects.
What will help people in your field increase their earning potential?
Lucas Tucker Ph.D.: The business of chemistry is a $797 Billion enterprise and a key element of the nation's economy. Over 26% of U.S. GDP is generated from industries that rely on chemistry, ranging from agriculture to oil and gas production, from semiconductors and electronics to textiles and vehicles, and from pharmaceuticals to residential and commercial energy efficiency products.www.americanchemistry.com
Having a degree in chemistry or biochemistry is a good way to have good earning potential. To increase this potential, participation in internships and research experiences are valuable. Often students choose to go on and further their education with graduate degrees. This can also increase earning potential. Students with a degree in chemistry or biochemistry are expected to have strong data skills and this is an area with large growth in industry presently.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Yes. Food systems are changing and people have realized that there is a need for local and regional food systems. I expect that people will continue to buy more food locally, when food is available, for the near future. Others will start their own businesses and gardens and try producing some food at home and for their community.
What's a day at work going to look like for a recent graduate?
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Students who are interested in producing food will find themselves in indoor cultivation facilities as well as out in the field. Others will find themselves helping to bring more sustainable practices and awareness to the state.
What will help people in your field increase their earning potential?
Xenia Morin Ph.D.: Helping new farmers have access to good mentors, facilities, infrastructure, and land as well as easy access to on-going training to incorporate more sustainable practices and build business skills.
Nicholas Oberlies Ph.D.
Patricia A. Sullivan Distinguished Professor of ChemistryUniversity of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Nicholas Oberlies Ph.D.: The entire world is affected by COVID. I'm sure that is true for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. In the short term, it likely means that the students may be behind a semester. In addition, students likely lost opportunities for networking via canceled conferences. While virtual conferences were a nice bandaid, nothing replaces meeting people in person. This is probably especially true for graduate students.
For the long term, however, I believe the world is starting to recognize that science matters. Recently, I just read an article about one of the first biologists (Professor Tom Brock) to study bacteria in hydrothermal vents. He was doing this in the 1960s, and his basic research helped pave the way for the Nobel Prize winning work in the PCR and the life-saving work that is needed for COVID screening. This was an article about a basic scientist but published in USA Today. Not only does the public need to know more about what scientists are doing, I believe that the public seems to have a hunger for such knowledge. So, while the short term might look a little messy and less than ideal, perhaps the long term horizon for science will be improving.
What will help people in your field increase their earning potential?
Nicholas Oberlies Ph.D.: I think the ability to communicate your science, either/both in writing or in speaking, is critically important. It is no trick to talk over someone's head. It is easy to rattle off a bunch of abbreviations and confuse someone. The real skill is the ability to convey your science in a manner that allows people to understand. Even if the nuts and bolts of day-to-day research work is over their heads, conveying what you are doing and why it's important is critical. The most successful scientists work on honing such communication skills daily.
Matthew Blank Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of BiologyHouston Baptist University
College of Science & Engineering
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Matthew Blank Ph.D.: The coronavirus pandemic will absolutely impact 2021 biology graduates and their potential to secure degree-related employment. However, the impact is oftentimes dependent on available resources in their prospective city. For instance, graduates of HBU are fortunate enough to be in a large city which includes a world-class medical center with significant research and biotech opportunities. If one of our students is hoping to go elsewhere, the number of positions that offer relocation assistance, signing bonuses, and travel expenses are cautiously dwindling during the pandemic. On a positive note, graduates have been forced to learn and master new virtual technologies that are now commonplace in all employment sectors which provide them with an increased professional edge that might have been weaker prior to the pandemic.
What's a good job out of college and why?
Matthew Blank Ph.D.: While a degree in biology provides our students with the background to excel in entry-level research, biotech, and educational positions, students oftentimes land positions that prepare themselves for advanced degree programs such as M.S., Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S, M.Ed., etc. A great position out of college is first of all, a position that the graduate finds rewarding and challenging. We encourage our graduates to consider research positions, project and/or grant management administrative jobs, STEM teaching/outreach positions, clinical and/or veterinary assistance, etc. Any position where the student utilizes their skills (both hard and soft) and is challenged is truly what matters most.
What will help people in your field increase their earning potential?
Matthew Blank Ph.D.: Earning potential is always directly related to qualities that make an applicant well-rounded. It helps to pick up additional opportunities like serving on a committee, participating in research, helping as a teaching assistant, etc. These provide students with additional skills that make them more competitive.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Tandra Chakraborty: The pandemic has hit hard, very hard on students in higher-ed. Due to COVID-19, 13% of students have delayed graduation, 40% have lost a job, internship, or job offer, and 29% expect to earn less at age 35. But, I still think that the pandemic era graduates will come out stronger within the next two years and will have a great vision for future years. We have all learned how to live minimalistically, acknowledge social norms, and have grown to understand the importance of college and university lives.
What's a good job out of college and why?
Tandra Chakraborty: Good job' is a very relative term. One student may find one job as good and the other not. As far as I am concerned about a good job (not a dream job), I can afford livelihood and still be passionate about the work-a delicate balance.
What will help people in your field increase their earning potential?
Tandra Chakraborty: I consider two things to help with earning potential: hard work and the other is vigilance. Even in this pandemic, some students have made a ton of money. You have to think outside of the box. Try to find ways to shape your credentials so that you make a path for future earnings.
Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,CoordinatorBay Path University
Department of Biology
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.: Yes, I believe graduates who start jobs during the pandemic will have many unexpected challenges that will allow them to grow in ways that others did not have to. They will be able to talk about overcoming obstacles that will be specific and they will be better prepared for anything that comes their way.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact on your job prospects?
Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.: Actually, more than specific certifications/licenses/courses the biggest impact comes from being computer savvy, being responsible and having a good presence whether it is in person or remote. Of course, hands-on biotechnology courses are important as well as learning and knowing the most common techniques used in biotechnology. Not so much being proficient at them which is very important but also being able to read a protocol and perform it independently.
How have salaries changed over time in your field?
Yadilette Rivera-Colon Ph.D.: Salaries in biotechnology are on the rise by 4% to 8% (Northeastern Univ.). Most of our graduates get jobs right away and they are well paid. Specific positions like biomanufacturing, now with the great need of vaccines all over the world will have great growth in the near future.
