According a survey conducted by “Association of American College and Universities”, “the nonprofit and business leaders would recommend liberal education in today’s world to the college learners for their long term success in 21st century’s global economy”.”The policy leaders are focused on what the college students choose as majors and the salaries after their graduation. The college should equip their students with ethical judgment, intellectual skill and an understanding of diversity of any organization, business or society”, said Mildred Garcia, the chairman of AAC&U. AAC&U announced the launch of “LEAP (Liberal Education and America’s Promise) Employer Educator Compact” to make high quality liberal learning for the college graduates to broaden their economical knowledge and skills. All the members of “LEAP President’s Trust”, 150 non profit and business leaders and Presidents of more than 100 colleges have signed the “LEAP Employer Educator Compact”. Through the “LEAP Employer Educator Compac”t they ensure that college students, private and public institutions, must have access to this quality learning education, prepare them to work properly for life, work and citizenship. The article explains the key findings of the survey, “IT TAKES MORE THAN A MAJOR: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success”. The “LEAP President’s Trust” members have joined their hands with nonprofit and business leaders to give the liberal education to maximum number of college graduates so that they can apply their knowledge with real world situations. The members of the Trust have also included the leaders of the other institutions, community colleges, arts colleges, research universities and state universities. The nonprofit and business leaders also included members from many economic structures, engineering, finance, manufacturing, human services, healthcare, insurance, media, retail, education, energy and real estate. The article also explains the commitment made by the members who have signed the “LEAP employer Educator Compact”. (Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2013)
The article is about a survey which is conducted by “Hart Research Associates” on the behalf of AAC&U. It provided a report regarding the analysis of the kind of learning, the college students needed, to get success in 21st century’s economy. It also discussed the educational changes the employers recommend. (IT TAKES MORE THAN A MAJOR: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success, 2013) According to the survey, the definition of liberal education, “The liberal education provides the college graduates the broader skill and knowledge in different study area and specific major. It helps the student to develop a responsibility and practical skills that cover all study areas, problem solving, analytical and communication and ability to apply skill and knowledge in real world situations”. (Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2014)
According to a national survey of nonprofit leaders and business leaders:
“The candidate’s skills such as complex problem solving, clear communication and critical thinking are very important than his or her undergraduate major”, said by about 93% of the employers surveyed.
95% of the employers said that they would prefer to choose those candidates with innovative skills in workplace.
The college graduate should demonstrate intercultural skills, capacity to continue with new learning and ethical integrity and judgment.
75% of them would like to give emphasis on five major areas, critical thinking, oral and written communication and application of knowledge in the real world setting.
80% of them said that they would prefer the college graduates with broader knowledge in liberal arts and sciences, regardless of the major.
56% of the employers are satisfied with the work of universities and colleges are doing to prepare their students for success in workplace. But 2 in 5 said that there is a scope for improvement. Out of three, two of the employers believe that the knowledge and skill of college graduates help them to achieve “entry level positions”. But 44% said that it is sufficient for higher level promotion and advancement. Employers also endorse the educational practices for college active involvement of college students, community engagement, problem solving, senior projects and internships. They endorse the practices which require application of skill and knowledge. Out of 5, 4 employers said that an e-portfolio is useful than a college transcript or resume. The nonprofit and business leaders are interested for the partnership with universities and colleges to provide more learning opportunities to college students. (Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2014)
All the members who have signed the “LEAP employer Educator Compact” made commitment to help Americans to understand the need of liberal education for the global workplace. All college students must get the opportunity to broaden their intellectual skills and liberal knowledge. Prepare the students for “American Higher Education’s dual mission, civic responsibility and successful career”. Supporting and expanding new learning designs such as undergraduate research, senior projects and internships. (Association of American Colleges & Universities, 2013)
Key findings of the survey- Employers are focused highly on the innovation important for the success of their company. Both broad knowledge and skill range and field specific skill and knowledge is important for long term success. The college students should have knowledge on intercultural skill, personal development and ethics. Majority of the employers believe that there should be more emphasis on the active skills such as solving complex problems, critical thinking, communication and application of knowledge to the real world situation. The universities and colleges should provide knowledge about liberal sciences and arts, building civic capacity and different cultures. Employers suggest to provide liberal education to the college students. (IT TAKES MORE THAN A MAJOR: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success, 2013)
There is no further explanation regarding the key findings of the survey. There is no definition of liberal thinking in this article. The article provides the full form LEAP, for better understanding. Otherwise the article provides a reliable and valid source of information.
References
Association of American Colleges & Universities,. (2013). Employers More Interested in Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Than College Major. Retrieved 23 June 2015, from http://www.aacu.org/press/press-releases/employers-more-interested-critical-thinking-and-problem-solving-college-major
Association of American Colleges & Universities,. (2014). It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success: Overview and Key Findings. Retrieved 23 June 2015, from http://www.aacu.org/leap/presidentstrust/compact/2013SurveySummary
IT TAKES MORE THAN A MAJOR: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success. (2013) (1st ed.). Washington. Retrieved from http://www.aacu.org/sites/default/files/files/LEAP/2013_EmployerSurvey.pdf
