What people say about the graduate qualities
- The Higher Education sector
- Graduates failing work test
- What employers look for
- Australian Gas & Light
- KPMG
- Arthur Anderson.
The Higher Education sector
‘Today’s graduates are faced with a quite different employment challenge than that of earlier generations (which of course includes most of those employed to teach them whilst at university). Research conducted on behalf of the Association of Graduate Employers noted in 1995 that graduates felt ‘short changed’ by higher education institutions which had failed to note that the ‘rules of the game had changed’, and consequently (despite fulfilling the traditional goal of a ‘good degree’) had not provided them with the essential skills for employment.’
Enhancing employability skills within higher education – impact on teaching, learning and assessment. Christine Steven and Stephen Fallows, University of Luton 1998.
Graduates failing work test
Australian graduates are being rejected by employers because they lack creativity, problem solving and business communication skills, claims a recent survey sponsored by the Federal Government. The survey of more than 1000 employers found that three quarters of graduates applying for jobs were deemed to be unsuitable, usually because of deficiencies in the areas of creativity and flair, oral business communications and problem solving. They were also likely to lack the capacity for independent and critical thinking. The results of the study by AC Nielsen Research are contained in the annual Higher Education Funding Report.
From: The Advertiser 28/12/99 99/7 'Employer Satisfaction with Graduate Skills:Research Report', ACNielsen Research Services
Executive Summary (HTML 15KB)
Full Report
(pdf 492KB)
What employers look for
'Students who attended employer information sessions have no doubt noticed that employers are particularly interested in employing graduates with more than just a degree to offer. Today’s employers want people with the following:
- Professional knowledge
- Communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- Problem solving ability.
From: University of South Australia, Division of B & E Careers Newsletter 5, 27 March 2000.
Australian Gas & Light says:
Do you have the following qualities?
- Superior initiative, innovation, vision and responsibility
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work alone or as part of a team
- Strong commitment to safety and customer service
- Demonstrated analytical and problem solving ability.
From: University of South Australia, Division of B & E Careers Newsletter 5, 27 March 2000.
KPMG seeks graduates with the following attributes:
- Sound academic record
- Communication skills
- Teamwork skills
- Initiative
- Motivated.
From: Employer on-campus presentations to students of the Division of B&E in March 2000.
Arthur Anderson seeks:
- Superior communication skills
- Strong team orientation (people who enjoy working in a team)
- Creative problem solving skills
- Self motivation
- Superior analytical skills
- Strong character
- Balanced lifestyle (people who can organise their lives to include hard work and at the same time have a social life. AA are looking for people who have already some commitment to the community)
- A solid academic performance.
From: Employer on-campus presentations to students of the Division of B&E in March 2000.