Fixing the college-to-career pipeline

52% of recent graduates are underemployed one year later. The college-to-career pipeline needs repair.

The gap: 78% of students rate their communication as proficient, compared to 54% of employers who agree. Similar gaps exist for critical thinking and leadership. This costs organizations $14,000 per early departure.

What works: Industry-academia partnerships when employer-led. Structured internship programs achieve 52.7% conversion rates. Paid internships outperform unpaid (66.4% vs. 43.7% job offer rates).

The shift: Move from credential-based to competency-based hiring. Organizations that use this approach report better hiring outcomes and higher retention rates.

Your action plan: Enhance internship programs with meaningful projects and mentorship. Partner with universities early. Implement skills-based screening. Take the lead — successful initiatives are employer-driven.