Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
January 5, 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
Marian University
University of Arizona
University of Redlands
The Ohio State University
Chestnut Hill College
Texas State University
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
St. Mary's College of Maryland
Furman University
Iowa State University
Christopher Newport University
Rockhurst University
Mark Latta
Assistant Professor of English, Writing Center DirectorMarian University
English Department
In your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Mark Latta: The pandemic seems to be accelerating already existing or emerging trends. One trend I believe will accelerate is the decoupling of work from a central office location. More people will be able to work from home or work closely with team members who are spread across geographies. Because of this, effective communication, especially written communication, will take on even more importance. I believe employers will seek out applicants who are not only able to write clearly and effectively but who are also able to use writing to distill and summarize complex, abstract ideas.
Another trend I see taking shape is the increased reliance on critical thinking and empathic problem-solving. On one hand, applicants who demonstrate an ability to navigate fluid, complicated (and sometimes) chaotic ideas and events while still meeting the goals and objectives of their workplace will set themselves apart. Employers are looking for steady, critical minds.
But if there's one thing the pandemic has taught us, it's the importance of kindness and looking out for one another. It's becoming more common for employers to speak openly about their civic identity and their commitment to racial and social equality. Yes, employers want applicants who can communication clearly, engage in critical thinking, anticipate problems before they arise, and navigate difficult situations. But, increasingly, they also want people who can do all of this while thinking about social impact, who are willing to ask tough questions about how certain actions might support or disrupt inequality, and whether or not employees can inspire others to be kind to others.
Luckily, an English degree prepares applicants to meet these challenges. Learning to think critically and consider the perspectives of others are central features of an English degree. Additionally, English majors are regularly looked to for their abilities to write convincingly and effectively.
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?
Mark Latta: Listen, if anyone wants to take a "gap year," do it. After the year we've all had (and are still having), you deserve a gap year. There's nothing wrong with stepping back and using this moment to reflect upon your experiences and to discern next steps. I encourage everyone to resist this tendency to think you are somehow falling behind if you don't have a job lined up immediately after graduation. Of course, it's great if you do, if that's your thing, but remember that everyone needs to work on their own timetable.
If you are taking some time, one "skill" I suggest focusing on is that of discernment. Merriam-Webster defines discernment as, "the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure." Discernment is becoming increasingly rare in a world that insists on rapid turnarounds, which makes the ability to grasp the obscure all the more valuable.
Thankfully, discernment isn't impossible to learn, but it does require us to slow down and begin to see the complications, the connections, and the beauty that surrounds us. Methods of developing a discerning mind include journaling daily (the science on journaling and its cognitive and socio-emotional benefits is pretty clear: it helps tremendously), inviting and pursuing opportunities that showcase different perspectives (even a visit to the art museum or a walk in a different part of the city will help), and participating in a book club.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Mark Latta: One strand of advice I would provide to graduates is to always do your best and take pride in the work you do. But, regardless of what happens, always remember: your job will never love you back.
Some other career advice I'd pass along is something I learned from Carmen Kynard, an incredible Black feminist scholar and activist: learn the difference between the work, the job, and the hustle, and don't confuse the three. The job is what you've been hired to do; it's the stated reason why you receive your paycheck. The hustle consists of all the other stuff, most of it unstated, that you need to do and deal with in order to do your job. But the work - the work is special - it's your purpose and your calling.
When you first start off in your career, you'll be focused primarily on the job, but if you don't learn and master the hustle (the office culture, expectations, and politics), you'll eventually be blindsided or feel stuck. But as you mature and grow in your career, don't confuse the job for the work. The work is something more than any one individual - it's making the world a better place, creating something larger than yourself, a calling and a commitment that may even feel sacred. Don't confuse busyness or meeting quarterly objectives for the work.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Joela Jacobs Ph.D.: We have seen an enduring impact of the 2008 recession on higher education and the job market, and given that covid's effect on these sectors has already been much more grave than back then, I expect its impact to be with us for quite some time. We have also seen a demand in some areas, however, one of them teaching at the K-12 level (be it in smaller groups or through technology), and some of these effects are certainly also here to stay.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Joela Jacobs Ph.D.: I think graduates have acquired great flexibility and adaptability in this pandemic, and I think this will serve them well. Being able to work remotely will likely not go out of style, and the technological literacy that is required for that will be important to have.
What experience really stands out on resumes?
Joela Jacobs Ph.D.: Transcultural abilities are an asset to any workplace in this global world. While it is much more difficult for students to study abroad at the moment, universities have come up with creative alternatives. In some ways, it has never been easier to connect with people in far-away places, and at the same time, it's important to remember that intercultural competence can also be practiced right around the corner.
Joseph Magedanz Ph.D.
Professor of GermanUniversity of Redlands
Department of Modern Literatures and Languages
WebsiteIn your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Joseph Magedanz Ph.D.: Flexibility in work modality, from both the employer and employee...home office, etc.
What skills stand out on resumes?
Joseph Magedanz Ph.D.: A wide variety of experience in many areas of academic inquiry, not just job-related training; evidence of both leadership and teamwork ability
Gregory Jusdanis Ph.D.
Humanities Distinguished ProfessorThe Ohio State University
Department of Classics
WebsiteWhat skills stand out on resumes?
Gregory Jusdanis Ph.D.: In my opinion - intelligence, critical thinking, ability to write, capacity to understand that we are in an interconnected world, and versatility.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Gregory Jusdanis Ph.D.: Law, medicine, shipping, entertainment, government, State Department - these are where our students have ended up recently.
In your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Suzanne Del Gizzo Ph.D.: I believe we'll see what I've heard called the "Fauci-effect", meaning more people will go into health-related work. However, that doesn't necessarily mean majoring in science. Fauci was a classical studies major, and he has repeatedly discussed the inestimable value of his liberal arts education for his current work, which requires communicating empathetically and clearly the complicated information about science to the general public.
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?
Suzanne Del Gizzo Ph.D.: I suggest enhancing communication and production skills (by this, I mean everything from video and audio editing to website creation), which seem required in nearly all jobs now. I know this sounds simple, but I have learned a lot from YouTube and Lynda.com videos. If you are stuck at home during the pandemic, this is a great way to learn new skills at your own pace. I would also encourage people not to overlook "lessons" about writing and presentation skills; there's a lot of wonderful material out there!
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Suzanne Del Gizzo Ph.D.: Be patient and observant. Your first few jobs are rarely an exact fit, and you may not be doing high-level work at first. Use the time to continue your education. Learn about how the organization runs, the different roles and positions within the organization, and more. Try to figure out which of those jobs you think you'd most like to do - and it may be none of them, in which case maybe you are in the wrong industry - but if you do identify a job you think you'd like, ask the person how they got there and watch how they handle themselves, from how they dress to how they interact with others.
Dr. Jennifer Forrest Ph.D.
ProfessorTexas State University
Department of World Languages and Literatures
WebsiteIf 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?
Dr. Jennifer Forrest Ph.D.: Since our students have majored in French and often seek positions for which they can use French, we recommend that they do take a gap year doing a teaching assistantship in France in order to achieve near-native fluency. We have been successful in sponsoring three to five students a year for assistantships administered by the French Ministry of Education. Many graduates go on to do graduate work, as two of ours have done this year.
Artemis Leontis Ph.D.
C. P. Cavafy Professor of Modern Greek and Comparative Literature, ChaiUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Department of Classical Studies
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Artemis Leontis Ph.D.: Students graduating during the pandemic have endured the stress of transitioning to new instructional formats and working through curriculum requirements at a distance from others. Some completed study abroad programs and internships remotely. They had to pivot quickly to learn new remote formats and learning techniques.
The effect of working remotely has been to require that they take more control of their learning and keep up the motivation within themselves, without relying on the energy of others. Some saw their research projects come to an end. Libraries closed down. They lacked basic resources, from a good internet connection to food and housing. They experienced isolation, loneliness, illness, loss, hunger, panic, depression, and a divided society.
Now they see before them a smaller set of job possibilities, high unemployment, and uncertainty about when the economic recovery will come. Nothing in my lifetime compares to the challenges students in the U.S. are facing now. The enduring impact is hard to predict. Certainly our students today will carry an enduring, shared memory of the global pandemic of 2020 and the skills they learned.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Artemis Leontis Ph.D.: Time management has been key because all the hours and days feel the same, and it is easy to lose track of what comes first and when things must start and end.
They also had to learn to work from home, to adjust home environments and spaces to align them with classroom meetings and study time.
Students developed new technical abilities in a very short time. Overnight, they had to learn to navigate their coursework online: platforms for remote meetings, tools for remote learning, commenting, collaborating, discussions, and assessments - new skills in communicating with their teachers and peers.
They trained themselves in self motivation and probably in forms of meditation. They learned how to identify and seek out the resources they need and also many times to advocate and care for others. They learned principles of public health and developed a higher level of public awareness: protection of others, good hygiene, how to adapt to emergency circumstances, and how to think about others.
They trained themselves in the virtues of thinking about others, patience, responsibility, wisdom, respect, contentment, courage, discipline, empathy, honesty, flexibility, and generosity. They learned to think of themselves as living beings in a larger environment in which we are dependent on the actions of others.
What experience really stands out on resumes?
Artemis Leontis Ph.D.: Any student who completed a major research, creative, instructional, service, or internship project under these challenging circumstances in a safe, effective way and was able to draw insights on the shift in the circumstances of their work will stand out.
Brian O'Sullivan Ph.D.
Associate Professor and ChairSt. Mary's College of Maryland
Department of English
WebsiteIn your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Brian O'Sullivan Ph.D.: It seems to me that new crises remind us of the enduring need for old skills--that is, the perennial liberal arts skills, like persuasive writing and speaking--to be applied creatively in new contexts. I can think of one of our graduates who's taken the skills she developed as an English major and figured out how to use them expertly in health communications--a field that's crucial at the present moment. The pandemic highlights the necessity to deal with ambiguity and uncertainty and empathize with others. The close study of literature tends to exercise those skills, which is, I believe, one reason why many of our graduates have been successful in health care, teaching, and the "helping professions."
What skills stand out on resumes?
Brian O'Sullivan Ph.D.: I hear from our alumni that hiring managers are still, as always, excited to see resumes that hint in any way at the ability to write well. It's an ability that's not common enough. For example, if an engineer can write well enough to get complex ideas across clearly to managers and clients with less engineering sophistication, that gives them a massive advantage over competitors who have similar technical skills but are not good communicators.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Brian O'Sullivan Ph.D.: English majors go on to work in many different fields, and since there's no one predominant field to which they flock, it's hard to pinpoint any particular geographical area.
Christopher Blackwell
Furman University
In your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Christopher Blackwell: It has always been the case that no one can study in college for what their future job will be. When I was in college, the sentence, "I write games for phones," would have been gibberish. I think that as we look forward, we need to make sure that our students are as broadly flexible as possible. We cannot send students of literature out into the world without technological skills, and we cannot send computer scientists out into the world with no understanding of humans in society.
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?
Christopher Blackwell: A super-productive gap-year would include (a) some customer-facing retail or service experience (waiting tables, bartending, barista, checkout clerk), (b) a course in statistics if the student didn't pick that up in college, and (c) a course on some programming language (it doesn't matter which). (B) and (C) could be from Udemy or Khan Academy.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Christopher Blackwell: The next thing you do does not have to be the last thing you do. Show up and say "yes" whenever possible. Don't be distracted by the existence of millionaires and billionaires; aim for having "enough," and a good definition of "enough" is "you can invite a friend to lunch and not worry about paying the bill for both of you." Beyond "enough" additional wealth generally just means having marginally nicer versions of the stuff you already have. Don't sacrifice your happiness just so your car can have a heated steering wheel.
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, ISU English Undergraduate Studies; Director, ISU Studio for New MediaIowa State University
Department of English
WebsiteIn your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: My students today are quite experienced with precarity, a word that's become popular this year (which refers to environments dominated by precarious conditions). This means that many are well-suited to changing circumstances and varying methods of working on teams. Though the high unemployment rate in the US led to reduced job listings last summer, employers have told me that they've been very impressed with the students they do hire. Many established workers have little experience with different ways to manage distance collaboration, for example. But full-time students graduating this December will have had at least 10-12 courses, and those graduating next May will have had at least 15-18 courses taught online (or mostly online). This means new graduates will have had more diverse experiences with collaboration in remote teams under different professors/supervisors, which will allow them to see a very wide range of leadership styles and techniques to manage people working together at a distance. Distance collaboration is here to stay, and today's students will have superior skills and diverse experience working in such environments.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: Collaborative documents will be incredibly important. These include things such as Google Docs or Microsoft Office 365, which allow multiple people to write together simultaneously. My students use these technologies all the time, for things such as live collaborative lecture notes, which we all write together during WebEx video classes-these are significantly more complete than any single student's lecture notes used to be and are rapidly becoming part of workplace teams, using new methods of project management, such as Agile and Scrum. More advanced students of mine study how to build content management systems, using systems like WordPress or SharePoint, and these will be more important as workplace teams collaborate more often at a distance.
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for graduates in this field in the next 5 years?
Geoffrey Sauer Ph.D.: In the short term, this will depend enormously upon how the economy recovers from 2020. But if the US can forestall a deep recession, in the longer term, the job market will be quite good for graduates. Baby Boomers are retiring, and my students are extremely hard workers-they tend to prove themselves quickly once hired. There will be a strong need for people with the skills being taught this year in technical communication. (See the BLM for data, if that's helpful.)
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Sharon Rowley Ph.D.: I would advise graduates to think positively and remember that adaptability --- which involves creativity and the ability to think critically and evaluate situations --- can be a crucial asset for graduating English majors. The study of writing and literature requires students to practice and master a wide range of practical skills, including problem-solving and time management. At the same time, they engage with people and learn how to use a variety of technologies. Students in English also learn to communicate clearly in oral, written, and digital modes. Emotional intelligence, a capacity increased by reading and discussing literature, is also high on the list of characteristics that many employers seek, so English provides an excellent background, practical skills, and critical competencies that today's employers are looking for.
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent in the field in the next 3-5 years?
Sharon Rowley Ph.D.: Many employers and businesses have learned that video conferencing can be highly effective and save money on travel, conferences, meetings, dinners, etc. I suspect that many companies will continue to engage with remote technologies even after the pandemic ends. So, while there has been a mixed reaction to the shift to online and hybrid classes, I believe that students should realize that all the different conferencing, chat, publishing, and video platforms they're using in their studies are simultaneously providing valuable skills and experiences that they can translate into success in a wide range of careers.
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?
Sharon Rowley Ph.D.: Salaries for English majors tend to start in the 30-40K range, but they catch up by mid-career. Long term salaries can be highly competitive, because English Majors and students in the Liberal Arts tend to have a wider range of skills that lead to promotion into middle and upper management positions.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Daniel Martin Ph.D.: Graduates in English or writing will likely enter the workforce with critical thinking skills from their background, analyzing language, literature, and argumentation. They will join with solid skills in written communication. With those strengths in place, they will benefit from their imagination and interpersonal skills, particularly oral communication. Vision will help these graduates expand their view of what jobs are possible and where a first job might lead. Creativity will help them become the problem solvers that are essential in every field. Interpersonal skills will help graduates be effective networkers, collaborators, and team players, which have become even more challenging but crucial when so much work is being done online, by phone, and via Zoom. So much of contemporary work is done in collaboration.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Daniel Martin Ph.D.: New York remains the center of the publishing industry, if graduates from writing programs want to go into publishing as editors or agents, though even publishing is dispersed. Of course, only a fraction of writing program graduates will go into publishing. It is more likely that they will work in a variety of industries that need writers and editors. Law firms hire people to handle correspondence, architecture firms hire people to write and edit proposals and promotional material, advertising firms need creative copywriters, and virtually all companies and nonprofits need content written for their websites and print materials. The move to online work opens up everyone's geographic options, especially so for writing graduates whose skills are needed in many industries and geographic locations.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Daniel Martin Ph.D.: Technology will likely multiply how writing is disseminated into the world and expand types of writing being done. The internet, social media, and print media will continue to evolve and offer formats and genres that we cannot yet imagine. That is why it is so valuable for writing graduates to analyze examples in any genre so that they can identify and then apply the structures and unspoken rules that define a given mode of writing, especially when that mode is new and growing. Technology will increasingly integrate words and visual components from photographs to pie charts, so writers will benefit from the skill of making comments and visuals work in tandem. And, yet, specific skills that make for good writing will remain-the ability to tell a story, the attention to detail, the gift of making a piece of writing flow gracefully from beginning to end, the discipline to make a point concisely. Writing program graduates should be well equipped to succeed in a world of evolving language practices.
