Experts Weigh In On Current Job Market Trends
January 10, 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
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of Maryland Baltimore County
Angelo State University
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Liberty University
King's College
Northwestern State University
Mansfield University
Hiram College
Humboldt State University
University of Baltimore
Dr. Kristen Christman Ph.D.
LecturerThe University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Department of Communication Studies
WebsiteIn your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Dr. Kristen Christman Ph.D.: I think you will see a possible lack of opportunities due to financial constraints because of the pandemic and/or opportunities that call on graduates with skills that fulfill the needs of companies who are working online and/or virtually.
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?
Dr. Kristen Christman Ph.D.: I think it depends on their end goal. If students have a specific goal in mind, I would recommend apprenticeships or internships in the direction of the work they are pursuing; but if students are looking for an entry level position to decide what their long term goals are then I would encourage additional education (if needed). I always encourage students to reach out to people they know that are in the line of work that they want to pursue to build connections, which could lead to future employment.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Dr. Kristen Christman Ph.D.: I would advise them to pay attention to the the work they are doing so they can focus on skills they want to further develop as they move along in their career. I am also a big believer in mentors and finding people who are doing work that you are interested in and/or someone in a leadership position that could mentor you in your career. It also may take graduates several jobs or opportunities before they find a position or place that they feel fulfilled and challenged in a way that allows them to imagine themselves in that position for a significant period of time.
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.
Senior LecturerUniversity of Maryland Baltimore County
Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.: Definitely, but the impact comes in both negative and positive ways.
Many of our current students are facing extraordinary physical, emotional, psychological, and economic challenges, to name a few, that have delayed or at least made it more difficult to meet the expected graduation deadlines. Another dimension of its impact is that, due to the cancellation or postponement of study abroad programs, which has forced certain programs to waive requirements, students have been unable to pursue certain international research interests or have missed out on the chance to obtain a scholarship for graduate school abroad. This isn't even to mention the impossibility for many international students to travel to the U.S. While some have struggled with online learning, technology fatigue, lack of motivation, tiredness, limitations in recourses, job loss, and changes in their daily life (among many others, including those who got sick), others have seen their responsibilities shifting tremendously as they became the breadwinners for their families. Moreover, the impact has drawn attention to a bigger gap between socially, racially and economically disadvantages communities.
However, there are positive aspects resulting from the current situation. Students have become more resilient, understanding, creative, flexible, and, most of all, better at supporting to each other during this period of distance learning. Students found themselves overcoming challenges at all levels, not only in technology, but in terms of time management, finding alternative resources and creative ways to complete tasks or assignments, communicating with classmates and professors as well as working collaboratively across a virtual modality. This situation resembles current virtual work settings that are facing similar challenges while working remotely. The disposition and resilience to face challenges definitely makes a difference.
In addition, virtual learning (either synchronously or asynchronously) has fostered the development of skills that will endure as a result of positive learning outcomes such as participating in virtual collaboration that goes beyond our classroom walls. For example, many students have had the opportunity to experience virtual mobility in their courses when their professors collaborated with faculty at other institutions, both nationally or internationally, to design course projects that engage students in teleconferencing/telecollaborations, also known as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL), or virtual conversation partners in foreign language programs. This type of virtual international collaborations is encouraged across campuses more than ever before, in order to encourage internationalizing the curriculum in lieu of the impossibility to study abroad during the pandemic. Building international, intercultural learning communities has been one of the most positive outcomes of this pandemic that I hope will contribute to more empathetic and competent global citizens.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.: The type of skills young graduates will need when they enter the workforce are resilience, flexibility, multi-tasking, problem-solving, team collaboration, written and oral communicative skills (in native and foreign languages), effective technological literacy, self-reliance, and ability to overcome obstacles.
Overall, specific skills in their area of expertise or major interest are expected to be accompanied by technical/technological literacy skills (including critical thinking to identify reliable and credible resources), entrepreneurship, leadership, conflict prevention/resolutions skills, and competent (effective and appropriate) communicative skills (orally and written). Hence, our current learning outcomes in most online teaching/learning environments are expected to include opportunities to enhance the development of these skills.
What experience really stands out on resumes?
Dr. Elisabeth Arévalo-Guerrero Ph.D.: I would highlight the following experiences as the most attractive to be found in resumes: international/study-abroad experience, participation in a Living Learning Community (LLC) (a plus if the LLC has an intentional intercultural competence component), community service (volunteering or internship), any kind of intercultural communication training or diversity training, and any kind of experience that requires foreign language proficiency.
A big plus is any minor or certification in a foreign language. Lastly, having working experiences in related areas or fields in connection to their major/minor are desirable, as much of the one's professional network is established in volunteer or internship experiences.
In summary, the combination of specific skills that are relevant to their major is expected to be complemented by work or internship experience (even better if that work experience is in the student's given field), technology literacy, and foreign languages. Any graduate with these skills and experiences would be an excellent and marketable job candidate.
Herman Howard Ph.D.
Professor, Department ChairAngelo State University
Department of Communication and Mass Media
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Herman Howard Ph.D.: Yes, fewer positions may be open for graduates this year.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Herman Howard Ph.D.: They must know how to sell to become sales professionals in selling themselves.
What experience really stands out on resumes?
Herman Howard Ph.D.: Multi-media experience and leadership experiences.
Jonathan Amsbary Ph.D.
Professor of Communication StudiesUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham
Department of Communication Studies
WebsiteIn your opinion, what are the biggest trends we'll see in the job market given the pandemic?
Jonathan Amsbary Ph.D.: Many people are predicting that the pandemic has accelerated a trend towards remote and virtual workplaces. I have talked to many people that have been told they should expect to work remotely even after the pandemic is over. So while the markets are hard to predict, computer literacy will be more critical than ever.
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?
Jonathan Amsbary Ph.D.: As I said with my first answer, computer literacy is a must. There are a variety of virtual meeting and work-sharing platforms that people are going to have to learn. Basic MS Office knowledge isn't going to cut it anymore. Of course, I would always recommend anything that improves their communication competence and keeps them "visible" in their community - volunteering, internships, etc. Even if these are done remotely.
What general advice would you give to a graduate beginning their career?
Jonathan Amsbary Ph.D.: For those looking for work, foot-in-the-door jobs are probably more critical than ever. Don't just think about getting your dream job right out of the gate. If you do, great, but don't be shy about starting a little lower than you expected and working into what you want. Experience counts, knowing people counts. Most organizations would rather promote internally than hire from the outside. It is estimated that over 60 percent of jobs are still filled and decided by word of mouth. So having something in a place you want to work gives you the inside track to move into what you want.
For those who are starting a new job/career remember that a big part of success comes from learning the culture and fitting in. The words, "Do I have to?" should never cross your lips. Rather you should be asking, "What else can I do to help?" Listen more than you talk and make yourself an asset.
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorLiberty University
School of Communication & the Arts
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.: Young graduates will need more than book learning, which is why Liberty's School of Communication and the Arts is such a good source of hands-on work. Students get practical experience in dealing with scenarios set up to mimic the real-world experience in our classes. In some courses, they work with actual business clients. They will need to communicate their thoughts clearly, speak well in front of their peers, and offer excellent organizational skills to potential employers. They will be required to participate in a world where technology is at the forefront, all while responding with a Christian world view. I believe that our coursework teaches them these much-valued skills and puts them far above other applicants for employment.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.: As far as where they can work, I encourage my students, unbelievably, to seek employment where they like the weather! While that might sound a bit odd, there are so many opportunities for our graduates that they should be able to find employment in almost any area of the country where they would like to live. One of my classes is researching job opportunities for communication graduates, and they are amazed at the variety of job openings. This is an excellent time for communication majors to find their dream job in their dream location!
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Sheri Parmelee Ph.D.: I believe that technology will continue to have a significant impact on our field. To that end, we are constantly revamping our course materials, always seeking the most relevant and current information. I scan for the newest information available every week so that my students have the "latest and greatest" technological ideas to discuss. We do course redesigns every year, and sometimes more often when advances in information make that necessary.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Scott Weiland Ph.D.: We look to create what we call "full-stack employees and interns" who have robust skill sets, including strong oral communication. Each year there are a number of studies that are reported that corroborate our approach. Here's some info that can help. Students graduate with a degree in Mass Communications. Within the program, there are four tracks of study, Broadcast, and Social Media, Multiplatform Journalism, Visual and Brand Communications, and Video Game Design. Students take at least four courses from one track and then take courses from the other three, which helps round out their education.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Scott Weiland Ph.D.: Northeastern Pennsylvania is a hot spot, given that there is an exodus from major metropolitan markets due to the pandemics and our proximity to such markets. Our Mass Communications graduates are skilled in working remotely and are positioned well for such opportunities.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Scott Weiland Ph.D.: There will be a continued emphasis on the remote workplace where workers will need to work independently. Also, changes in technology, which is nothing new from our perspective, will continue to mandate that Mass Communications professionals stay current. Ongoing professional development remains a must.
Stephanie Masson
Instructor, Internship CoordinatorNorthwestern State University
Department of English, Foreign Languages, and Cultural Studies
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Stephanie Masson: COVID has changed the work environment substantially this year, and those effects will likely continue for some time, but the types of skills required to be successful are basically the same. Employers want to hire people who are good communicators, who can think critically, interpret and analyze information, and research effectively. The role of communications takes on greater emphasis when employees may be working remotely or dealing with virtual communication in the office setting with off-site clients. Liberal arts majors are uniquely qualified to bring these skills to the table. It is up to young graduates to play up those skills during the job hunt to place themselves at the top of the list.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Stephanie Masson: Traditionally, English majors worked in fields such as publishing, journalism, technical or grant writing, as librarians and teachers. Some of these careers offered little opportunity, unless graduates moved to larger cities. The internet and social media opened a new world of possibilities. Today's graduates might write or create a video for social media, serve as marketing managers, PR professionals, digital archivists, museum managers, and much more. Many of these jobs take place in diverse locations or maybe online in nature, opening new opportunities for graduates who prefer to live in smaller towns or rural locations. That makes the physical location a much less important issue when navigating the job search.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Stephanie Masson: I already answered that above since it also impacts place. Technology has transformed what it means to be an English or liberal arts major. The market for good communicators only increases as technology expands. Someone has to create, manage, and archive the content you read or video you watch online.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Bia Bernum: Because of the move to remote working, which is not going away, new graduates need to be skilled at managing projects and teams in an online setting. I've talked to friends who work for Fortune 500 companies, and they all said that meetings must be more focused and run more efficiently; coworkers are in different time zones, speak different languages, and have complex living situations. There's not a lot of time for throat clearing and figuring things out.
Instead, young graduates will be working on group projects, via documents located in the cloud, often during meetings, often in real-time. There's no need for "I'll do it by myself later and get back to you." Secondly, new graduates need to be adept at designing digital presentations; I'm hoping for a quick end to one-dimensional PowerPoint slide decks. I see a move to dynamic pre-recorded videos, virtual summits, and webinars. These formats allow for flexible viewing and can be updated/edited quickly without extensive digital editing software or an entire team of videographers.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Bia Bernum: Because so much work is remote now, new graduates have a lot of choices. My students usually want to stay close to home for their first job. Thankfully, students who graduate with a degree in communication can get a job at a large multinational company, a national non-profit, or small family-owned business. Their skills fit anywhere.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Bia Bernum: We don't see the long, over-produced, slick videos and publications like we used to. Likewise, we want the same in people; we want what's real. When a work team is using something like Slack or Zoom, there's no time for pretense because we're all too little tired to put on a show. And I find that users don't tolerate it.
Communication technology is forcing us to think. Write, and speak more quickly, clearly, and concisely, which opens us up to more mistakes. But I see a greater tolerance for that. We can't always edit posts, so coworkers just figure it out and move on; and sometimes there's a laugh or two, which builds community. Being "on" most of the time, being recorded, and having our messages stored for easy retrieval makes all of us equally vulnerable. If the group dynamics are right, there's amazing humanity in that.
David Strukel
Assistant Professor in CommunicationHiram College
Burton D. Morgan Center for Integrated Entrepreneurship
WebsiteWhat type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
David Strukel: For communication graduates, many of the same standard and traditional skills are still necessary...skills like critical thinking, the ability to work in teams and collaborate, the ability to write well, and the ability to speak publicly are all important.
More recently, due to the internet and how connected we have become digitally, especially from the pandemic, having developed skills that relate to communicating online is essential. Being media literate, knowing how to fact-check information and trace sources, having a basic understanding of how social media works, and being able to communicate online via tools like Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, and others are all must-haves for today. We're teaching and coaching students on things like how to be a host for your own Zoom meeting, appropriate attire for the camera, appropriate backgrounds for your virtual presentations, and knowing when to mute your mic, are all sets of new non-verbal communication rules to master for today. In face-to-face situations, we typically don't worry about many of these issues, but with online meetings and interviews, you need to consider so many other things that could happen and impact how your message is received and how you come across.
Also, I have been stressing to students the importance of having a good social media presence. More and more human resources managers are scouring the web to check possible employers. If an employer can see by your social media accounts that you would not be a good representative for them 24/7 and not just when you clock in and clock out, they will not take the risk to hire you. The Society For Human Resource Management found in a recent survey that 84% of employers use social media to recruit, and 43% do their detective work by looking for candidates on social media and through general searches on Google. Be positive online. Be authentic. Create a good online brand of yourself that's not controversial, something you can be proud of, and you won't have to worry when HR goes searching for you online.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
David Strukel: I imagine there's still a bulk of great communication jobs in the large metropolitan areas of the country. However, this past summer, again, due to the pandemic, the location was not an issue as I had two students who received internship credit for working remotely. One did public relations work for a non-profit agency near Cleveland. And the other helped our football coach out with various tech-related tasks such as loading recruits into a database and doing some graphic design work.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
David Strukel: I think there will be continued growth in the online tech field. The pandemic has forced us to move in a different direction, from teaching to sports to concerts to politics. While many fields have done great at moving things online, I think the emphasis will continue to be on how to make it more personal. How can we establish more meaningful connections? How can we make the online communication experience have more of human touch or more "us"? If our cars and smartphones can figure out our preferences and likes, I think there will be more research into how we can make online meetings and events more personalized.
What type of skills will young graduates need when they enter the workforce in the coming years?
Dr. Joshua Frye Ph.D.: A growing number of experts believe that the skills developed within the academic field of communication are crucial to professional success. Due to increasing global competitiveness, and a dynamic and quickly changing economy within the USA, the key skills developed by a serious study of Communication will become more important in the coming years. For example, a recent LinkedIn report covered by MarketWatch revealed that Communication is one of the top 10 undergraduate degrees in terms of versatility.
This means Communication majors are better prepared to succeed in the competitive and quickly changing labor force and job market than most others. The American Management Association has committed to a 4Cs Model based on their annual survey of what top managers around the country look for in an employee that has the potential to be hired and promoted. The 4Cs include Communication, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, and Creativity. A majority of managers surveyed believed that Communication is an under-developed skill in the American workforce. Finally, given the nature of the competitive and changing economy, specific skills that Communication students should seek to develop are (1) oral communication mastery; (2) influence and advocacy skills; (3) intercultural communication; (4) nonverbal communication; and (5) crisis Communication.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Dr. Joshua Frye Ph.D.: Both urban and rural communities are in need of Communication graduates. However, unlike fields such as Nursing, Communication graduates do not have a predetermined career path. This means that Communication graduates wishing to find meaningful work within their field must be flexible, creative, and willing to experiment. They are having a clear vision of what kinds of organizational cultures and work tasks you would find resonant, challenging, and fulfilling helps tremendously in building a viable and successful career.
Conduct informational interviews, consider an internship, network, and connect with your Career and Advising support systems to gain clarity into your goals and what it will take to get there. Opportunities exist in most major cities, such as San Francisco, New York, Boston, and Seattle, as well as in mid-sized and even smaller communities in the public, non-profit, and private sectors. Graduates interested in media, advertising, and PR should consider New York and Chicago areas, while those interested in progressive non-profits and government work may want to look toward cities such as Austin and Seattle. Media and entrepreneurial-minded folks should turn to places such as Boston, San Francisco, and Minneapolis.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Dr. Joshua Frye Ph.D.: A colleague, who works in the graphic design industry, once told me that learning technology is not enough. You need to learn how to learn technology. This is truer than ever, and will continue to be the case in the coming years. One thing the US does not do very well is to provide mandatory or optional education and training in software development. If you are not conversant with various coding or programming languages, consider learning some.
Also, you can bet that if you're not a programmer or coder, you will need to learn how to decode and navigate others' programs and codes. Therefore, study the cutting-edge communication software for conferencing, organization and workflow, self-management, audio, and video production and editing, and file sharing and conversion. Technology is the ever-changing and competent and confident selection, and the use of technology that will help you manage and enhance your tasks and projects is paramount to separating you from the competition, staying afloat, diversifying, and improving your value and contributions in the next 3-5 years.
Jane Delury
Associate ProfessorUniversity of Baltimore
Klein Family School of Communications Design
WebsiteWill there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on graduates?
Jane Delury: An English degree strengthens the communication and analytical skills that employers need. The pandemic hasn't changed that. Good thinkers and communicators are always in demand and even more so in times of crisis.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for graduates to find work opportunities in this field after they graduate?
Jane Delury: Journalists and editors had embraced the telecommuting model well before the pandemic hit. Large cities have always been a good place to start out as a journalist, and New York has historically been the center of publishing. This has been changing over the past decades, and geographical flexibility has increased with the pandemic. I think graduates in journalism and mass communications will benefit from the less "place-anchored" job market.
How do you envision technology impacting this field in the next 5 years?
Jane Delury: I think that video conferencing and collaborative software will become more efficient and widespread. Interviewing people, giving talks, running meetings, editing documents-all of these interactions will be increasingly common and natural on digital platforms.
