Build Undergraduate and GraduatePrograms That Meet Employer Needs Ensuring positive alumni employment outcomes is a critical aspect of attracting new students toyour institution. Colleges and universities that closely track which hard and soft skills employersseek will prepare more students for immediate and long-term workforce success. Take note of the following employer trends to ensure your institution’s academicdegree programs boost graduates’ ability to thrive in future careers. IN-DEMAND PROFESSIONS FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES TOP 10 OCCUPATIONS BY JOB LISTING VOLUME September 2024 to March 2025 IN-DEMAND TRAITS Employers are more likely to consider hiring recent college graduates if theyhave engaged in particular applied learning experiences or developed key transferable skills. MOST VALUED EXPERIENCES MOST VALUED SKILLS Oral communicationAdaptability andflexibilityCritical thinking A previous job orwork-study positionAn internship,cooperative educationexperience, orapprenticeshipA leadership role 3 WAYS TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS As part of their academic offerings, colleges and universities should include in-demand learningexperiences and certifications that prepare students to enter and advance in the workforce. DEVELOP STUDENTS’HARD SKILLS IN:2 DEVELOP STUDENTS’SOFT SKILLS IN:3 PREPARE GRADS FOR THESEJOB CERTIFICATIONS: •Registered Nurse (RN)•Advanced Cardiac Life SupportCertification (ACLS)•Certified Public Accountant (CPA)•Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS)•Project Management Professional(PMP)•Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)•Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)•Certified Information Systems SecurityProfessional (CISSP)•Licensed Professional Engineer•Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) •Microsoft Office•Python•Presentation•Structured Query Language (SQL)•Finance•Agile•Teaching/Training•Computer Programming/Coding•Customer RelationshipManagement (CRM)•Data analysis •Communication (verbaland written)•Cooperation, being ateam player•Problem solving•Organization•Interpersonal relationships•Detail-oriented focus•Analytical thinking•Supervision and management•Self-motivation, ability towork independently•Adaptability and flexibility How well do your academic programs stack upto both employer and student demand? See this year’s fastest-growing programs in ourTop 10Degrees on the Riseinfographic. © 2025 Hanover ResearchHEDIG0525