Skills v. diplomas

A new CareerBuilder survey shows that 36% of workers with college degrees wish they had chosen a different major in college.

The survey was conducted among more than 2,000 workers with college degrees between Aug. 17 and Sept. 2, 2010.

More than one-in-four (26%) said the market for jobs in their chosen field worsened from the time they entered college and when they graduated.

"The job market has been challenging for all workers, regardless of degree level, and has prompted many to think about learning skills for high demand and emerging jobs," Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder, said in a statement. "Many employers, particular in areas such as healthcare, engineering, IT and communications have open positions and can’t find skilled candidates to fill them.  College students and workers considering going back to school should take note of areas with growth opportunities and more abundant hiring."  

OTHER SURVEY RESULTS
• While more than half (56%) of all workers with college degrees reported they found a job in their desired career path within one year of graduation, others’ pursuits still haven’t come to fruition.

• Nearly one-in-five (19%) of all workers with a college degree still have not found a job in their desired field.

• More than one-in-four workers (27%) who graduated from college 10 years ago or longer reported they still haven’t found a job related to their college major. 21% said it took them three years or longer to find an opportunity in their desired career path while one-in-ten (12%) said it took five years or longer.

• Building new skill sets is a priority for more than one-in-ten (13%) workers who said they have plans to go back to school this year to make themselves more marketable.