Date post: | 19-Oct-2014 |
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Accenture 2013 College
Graduate Employment
Survey
Key Findings
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 2
Accenture conducted an online survey in the United States of 1,010 students graduating from college in
2013 and entering the job market, and 1,005 participants who already graduated college in 2011 or 2012.
The survey was conducted between March 22 and April 1, 2013.
Survey Methodology and Demographics
Age Total Sample
n=2,015
2011/2012
Grads
n=1,005
2013
Grads
n=1,010
18-24 1,944 1,005 939
25+ 71 0 71
Type of college
2011/2012
Grads
n=1,005
2013
Grads
n=1,015
Four-year college 880 843
Two-year (junior or
community) college 121 148
Vocational-technical
college 4 19
Type of degree
2011/2012
Grads
n=1,005
2013
Grads
n=1,015
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) 410 325
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) 460 479
Associate of Arts (A.A.) 48 102
Associate of Science (A.S.) 87 104
Year of
Graduation N=2,015
2011 486
2012 519
2013 1010
Entering Job
Market
2013 Grads
n=1,010
Yes 1,010
No 0
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 3
• 41 percent of workers who graduated from college in the past two years (2011/2012 college grads)
say they are underemployed and working in jobs that do not require their college degrees
• Despite their degrees, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads say they will need
more training in order to get their desired job
• The study identified a wide gap between the expectations pending 2013 college grads have for
employer-provided training and what they are likely to receive when they start working -- more than
three-quarters (77 percent) of 2013 college grads expect their first employer to provide formal training,
but fewer than one-half (48 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads surveyed say they received training
in their first job after graduation
• 42 percent of 2011/2012 college grads expect they will need to pursue a graduate level degree to
further their career, more than twice as many of pending 2013 college grads, 18 percent of whom
expect to do so
• Of the 2011/2012 college grads with a two-year degree, 52 percent say they will need to get a four-
year degree in order to get the job they want
Executive Summary
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 4
• Only 16 percent of students who will graduate this year had already secured employment
• To secure a job in the current market, one-third (34 percent) of the pending 2013 college grads are
prepared to accept their first job offer, while 27 percent would consider working in a different field than
their college major
• Of 2011/2012 college grads, 68 percent are employed full-time and 16 percent are working part-time,
seven percent say they haven’t had a job since they graduated in 2011 or 2012
• More than half (57 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads say finding a job was difficult, but 39 percent
had jobs by the time they graduated and another 42 percent were employed within six months of
graduation
• Among the 2011/2012 college grads who are unemployed, 48 percent said they would have fared
better in the job market with a different major, and 57 percent expect to go back to school within the
next five years
Executive Summary (continued)
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 5
• The top three industries for both 2011/2012 college grads and pending 2013 college grads are
education, media & entertainment and healthcare
• Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) of pending 2013 college grads expect to be employed full time in their
field of study compared with 53 percent of 2011/2012 college grads who are currently working in their
field of study full time
• When 2011/2012 college grads who are not employed in their field of study were asked why, 45
percent said it was taking too long to find a job and 32 percent said there were not enough job
openings in their field
• Out of the 72 percent of 2011/2012 college grads who participated in an internship while still in school,
only 42 percent said the internship led to a job
• Among the students who will graduate in 2013 from a four-year institution, one-quarter (26 percent)
transferred from a junior or community college, while only 11 percent of the 2011/2012 grads of a four-
year institution began their college education at a junior or community college
Executive Summary (continued)
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 6
• Salary expectations among pending 2013 college grads are out of line with the current job market ---
only 15 percent of pending 2013 college grads expect to earn less than $25K a year, while one-third
(32 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads who are employed report their current annual salary is $25K
or less
• Nearly one-third (30 percent) of pending 2013 college grads and 34 percent of 2011/2012 college
grads have $30K or less in student loans, 17 percent of pending 2013 college grads and 13 percent of
2011/2012 college grads have student loan debts of $30K to $50K
• Of the students who will graduate with student loans this year, 64 percent are taking on the debt
themselves and will pay it off without help from their parents
• One-third (32 percent) of pending 2013 college grads plan to live at home after graduation, while 44
percent of 2011/2012 college grads currently live at home
Executive Summary (continued)
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 7
Accenture recommends employers improve how they hire and develop young
workers coming out of college:
Executive Summary (continued)
• Hire based on potential. Let go of the idea of finding perfect candidates that meet every skills criteria
and instead invest in young people with strong generalist skills who, with some training and
experience (and perhaps some job redesign), can perform in roles you might not have matched them
to at first glance. Use assessments, performance analysis and skills databases to identify those
young workers with strong potential.
• Make training part of the total employment package. Training is a “chicken or the egg” dilemma;
young workers need experience to get a job but they need a job to get experience. Employers cannot
assume recent college graduates will arrive on the job with the all the skills they need; and students
want training to develop the skills they need to succeed. Employers need to provide more and better
training and should use it to be an employer of choice.
• Work closely with educational institutions. Develop work experience programs like internships or
apprenticeships, create externships for professors and instructors, engage in curriculum development,
and create customized training and industry credential programs. These will help develop a fresh crop
of talent that is better suited to your organization’s needs, and lead to better matching of students to
jobs.
Key Findings
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 9
2011/2012 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the following statement: I believe I am
underemployed, meaning I am in a job that doesn’t require my college degree?
41 percent of 2011/2012 college grads say they are underemployed
(in jobs that do not require their college degrees)
Underemployed
(2011/2012 Grads Only)
19%
24%
17% 17%
24%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
StronglyDisagree
Disagree Neither Agreenor Disagree
Agree Strongly Agree
Base=Employed
2011/2012 Grads; n=936
Question not given to
2013 Graduates
Source: Accenture 2013
College Graduate
Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 10
2011/2012 Grads: What is your current employment status?
2013 Grads: What type of job have you already found or do you expect to find?
68 percent of 2011/2012 college grads are employed full-time, 16 percent are working
part-time and 7 percent have been unemployed since they graduated
4% 7% 1% 3%
16%
68%
5% 2%
16%
77%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
Unemployed currently,but had a job after
graduation
Unemployed sincegraduation
Intern Contractor/freelancer Part-time employee Full-time employee
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Employment Status
Unemployed options not given to 2013 Graduates
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 11
2011/2012 Grads: How difficult has it been to find a job?
2013 Grads: How difficult do you think it will be to find a job?
More than half (57 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads say finding
a job was difficult
20%
37%
28%
12%
4%
13%
47%
33%
6%
2%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Extremely difficult Difficult Neither difficult nor easy Easy Extremely easy
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Finding a Job
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 12
2011/2012 Grads: How long after graduating did it take for you to secure a job?
2013 Grads: How long after graduating do you think it will take for you to secure a job?
39 percent of 2011/2012 college grads had jobs by the time they graduated while
only 16 percent of pending 2013 college grads have secured employment
6% 3%
10%
42% 39%
3%
17%
64%
16%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
I still don’t have a job More than 1 year 7 months-1 year 1-6 months I accepted a job offerbefore/upon graduating[already accepted job]
2011/2012 (n=936)
2013 (n=1,010)
Time It Took to Secure Job
Option not given to 2013 Graduates
Base=Employed 2011/2012 Grads and all 2013 Grad; n=1,946
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 13
2011/2012 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the following statement: To get my desired job, I
need more training post-graduation
2013 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the following statement: To get my desired job, I need
more training post-graduation.
63 percent of 2011/2012 college grads say they need more training to get their
desired job
2%
11%
23%
37%
26%
2%
10%
25%
38%
26%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree nor Disagree Agree Strongly Agree
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Post-Graduation Training Needed
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 14
2011/2012 Grads: Did your first employer provide formal training?
2013 Grads: Do you expect your first employer to provide formal training?
77 percent of pending 2013 college grads expect their first employer to provide
formal training, while only 48 percent of those who graduated in 2011/2012 say they
received training from their first employers
First Employer Formal Training Provided / Expected
52% 48%
23%
77%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
No Yes
2011/2012 (n=936)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=Employed 2011/2012 Grads and all 2013 Grad; n=1,946
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 15
2011/2012 Grads: What type(s) of training do you expect to pursue to further your career?
2013 Grads: What type(s) of training do you expect to pursue to further your career?
Four out of ten (42 percent) 2011/2012 college grads expect to pursue a graduate
degree to further their career, compared with only 18 percent of pending 2013
college grads who expect to do so
Types of Training Expect to Pursue Post–Graduation
4% 3%
8%
15%
23% 23%
42%
51%
67%
4% 2%
13% 13% 15%
26%
18%
61%
74%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
None Other Non degree classesat a technical or
community college
Earn another degreealtogether
Graduate-levelclasses
Online courses Graduate degree Employer-providedformal training
On the jobtraining/experience
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 16
2011/2012 Grads: How does the current economy affect your job search?
2013 Grads: How will the current economy affect your job search?
One-third (34 percent) of pending 2013 college grads are prepared to accept
their first job offer and 27 percent would consider working in a different field than
they majored in
Economy’s Affect on the Job Search
13%
3% 6%
32% 29%
39%
35% 36%
40%
45%
9%
2%
11%
27%
37% 34%
39% 40%
46% 43%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Does notaffect my job
search
None of theabove
Look in adifferentcountry
Look at adifferent field
from mymajor area of
study
Compromiseon job
requirements
Accept thefirst offer
Broaden mysearch byindustry orskill area
Willing tocommute
farther
Look in adifferent city
Accept alower salary
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Multiple Responses
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 17
2011/2012 Grads: Do you believe you would have fared better in the job market with a different major or
a different school?
Among unemployed 2011/2012 college grads, 48 percent said they would have fared
better in the job market with a different major
Would Have Fared Better with Different Major or School
(Unemployed 2011/2012 Grads Only)
Yes, different major, 48%
Yes, different school, 16%
No, 36%
Base=Unemployed 2011/2012 Grads; n=114
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 18
2011/2012 Grads: Do you expect to go back to school within the next five years?
Among unemployed 2011/2012 college grads, 57 percent expect to go back
to school in the next five years
Expect to Go Back to School
(Unemployed 2011/2012 Grads Only)
44%
32%
18%
3% 4%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
No Yes, to a graduate program Yes, to a four-year college Yes, to a junior orcommunity college
Yes, to a vocational-technical college
Base=Unemployed 2011/2012 Grads; n=114
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Question not given to 2013 Graduates
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 19
2011/2012 Grads: Why do you think you are not employed?
When 2011/2012 college grads who are currently unemployed were asked why,
half (50 percent) say they are being told by companies that they do not have
enough experience
Reasons Unemployed
(Unemployed 2011/2012 Grads Only)
21%
38% 39% 41%
50%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Other There is too muchcompetition for my
desired position
There are few openpositions in my
location
There are few openpositions in my field
Companies are telling me I don’t
have enough experience
Base=Unemployed 2011/2012 Grads; n=114
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Question not given to 2013 Graduates
Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 20
2011/2012 Grads: Will you need to pursue a four-year degree or graduate degree to get the job or
career you want?
2013 Grads: Will you need to pursue a four-year degree or graduate degree to get the job or career
you want?
Of the 2011/2012 college grads with a two-year degree, 52 percent say they will need
to pursue a four-year degree to get the job they want
Will You Need to Pursue Another Degree to Get Desired Career
(Two-Year Degree Grads Only)
42%
6%
52%
43%
15%
42%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
No, no additional degree is needed topursue the career I want
Graduate degree Four-year degree
2011/2012 (n=135)
2013 (n=206)Base=Two-Year Degree; n=341
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 21
2011/2012 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the following statement: I chose this type of degree
because it would lead to a more certain job?
2013 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the following statement: I chose this type of degree
because it would lead to a more certain job?
68 percent of 2011/2012 college grads and 73 percent of pending 2013 college
grads with a two-year degree chose that type of degree because they thought it
would lead to a more certain job
Chose Degree Because It Would Lead to More Certain Job
(Two-Year Degree Grads Only)
2%
8%
21%
37%
31%
0%
4%
23%
33%
40%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree norDisagree
Agree Strongly Agree 2011/2012 (n=135)
2013 (n=206)
Base=Two-Year Degree; n=341
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 22
2011/2012 Grads: What are your top industries or sector choices for work?
2013 Grads: What are your top industries or sector choices for work?
The top three industries both 2011/2012 and pending 2013 college grads want to
work in are education, media & entertainment and healthcare
Top Industry/Sector Choices
20%
2% 2% 2%
3% 3%
5%
6%
5%
6%
7% 7%
5%
7%
6%
8% 7% 8%
10%
15% 14%
18%
19%
25% 25%
26%
21%
2%
4% 4% 4% 5%
6% 6%
7% 7% 6%
7%
10%
8%
9%
8% 8%
11%
13%
10%
12%
15%
17%
23% 23% 23%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 23
2011/2012 Grads: Are you currently employed in your field of study?
2013 Grads: Are you expecting to be employed, or are already employed, in your field of study?
Over half (53 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads are employed full-time in
their field of study
Employed in Field of Study
36%
8% 3%
53%
11%
18%
7%
64%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
No Yes, part time but prefer fulltime
Yes, part time and preferpart time
Yes, full time
2011/2012 (n=936)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=Employed 2011/2012 Grads and all 2013 Grad; n=1,946
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 24
2011/2012 Grads: Why are you not employed in your field of study?
2013 Grads: Why are you not expecting to be employed in your field of study?
When 2011/2012 college grads who are not employed in their field of study were
asked why, 45 percent said it was taking too long to find a job and 32 percent said
there were not enough job openings in their field
Why Not Employed in Field of Study
15%
9% 9%
14% 15% 17%
32%
45%
15%
8%
12% 13% 16% 16%
29%
36%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
None of theabove.
My school didnot adequatelyprepare me to
work in mychosen field.
I didn’t expect my field of study to be my career,
but I I am working [I will work] in my
chosen career.
I studied in anarea in which
there are few orno directly
related jobs (e.g.,history).
The jobs I foundin my field were
not near mycurrent place of
residence.
I decided thatwas not the field
I wished topursue.
There are notenough job
openings in thefield I studied.
It was taking [willtake] too long tofind a job in mychosen field andI needed [need]to find work tosupport myself.
2011/2012 (n=337)
2013 (n=116)
Base=Not Employed/Not Expecting to Be Employed in Field of Study; n=453
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 25
2011/2012 Grads: What type of internship or co-op
did you participate in during school?
2013 Grads: What type of internship or co-op did
you participate in during school?
Out of the 72 percent of 2011/2012 college grads who did an internship during
school, only 42 percent said it led to a job
2011/2012 Grads: Did your internship or co-op lead
to a job post-graduation (either in the same
company or indirectly through networking to get a
job in another company)?
2013 Grads: Did your internship or co-op lead to a
job post-graduation (either in the same company or
indirectly through networking to get a job in another
company)?
Internship/Co-Op Participation
Did Internship/Co-Op Lead to a Job
36%
40%
32%
36% 37%
32%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
I did not participate in aninternship/co-op
Unpaid internship/co-op Paid internship/co-op
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
58%
42%
52% 48%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
No Yes
2011/2012 (n=642)
2013 (n=645)
Base=Grads Who Participated in Internship/Co-op; n=1,287 Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 26
2011/2012 Grads: Did you transfer from a two-year college (junior or community college) into a four year college?
2013 Grads: Did you transfer from a two-year college (junior or community college) into a four year college?
Of the pending 2013 college grads who went to a four-year institution, 26 percent
transferred from a junior or community college, while only 11 percent of the 2011/2012
college grads began their college education at a junior or community college
Transferred from Two-Year College
(Four-Year College Grads Only)
11%
89%
26%
74%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Yes No
2011/2012 (n=880)
2013 (n=843)
Base=Four-Year College; n=1,723
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 27
2011/2012 Grads: What is your current annual salary (Note: If you are unemployed but had a job since
graduating from college, please provide your salary from your post-graduation job)?
2013 Grads: What annual salary do you expect to receive in your first job after graduation?
Salary expectations among pending 2013 college grads are out of line with the
current job market
Current Annual Salary / Salary Expectations
2% 1% 0% 1% 3%
12% 15%
22%
13%
32%
1% 0% 1% 2%
5%
16% 18%
21% 20%
15%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
2011/2012 (n=936)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=Employed 2011/2012 Grads and all 2013 Grad; n=1,946
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Option not given to 2013 Graduates
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 28
2011/2012 Grads: Do you or your parents have any student loan debt from your education to pay off?
2013 Grads: Will you or your parents have any student loan debt from your education to pay off?
One-third (34 percent) of 2011/2012 college grads and 30 percent of pending
2013 college grads are carrying $30K or less in student loans, and respectively,
13 percent and 17 percent have $30K to $50K in debt
Student Loan Debt
41%
0%
3% 4% 5%
13%
34% 36%
0% 0% 2%
5%
10%
17%
30%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
No student loan debt $300,000+ $201,000-300,000 $101,000-$200,000 $76,000-$100,000 $51,000-$75,000 $30,000-$50,000 <$30,000
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Option not given to 2013 Graduates
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 29
2011/2012 Grads: Who is paying off the student loan debt from your education?
2013 Grads: Who is paying off the student loan debt from your education?
Of the students who will graduate with student loans this year, 64 percent are taking
on the debt themselves and will be paying it off with no help from their parents
Student Loan Debt Payment
1% 1%
6%
24%
68%
0% 0%
11%
25%
64%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Other My employer is paying off mystudent loan
My parents (or others) arepaying my student loans
I am sharing the debt with myparents (or others)
I am paying my student loans
2011/2012 (n=593)
2013 (n=649)
Base=Grads with Student Loan Debt; n=1,242
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 30
2011/2012 Grads: Where are you living?
2013 Grads: Where are you planning to live after graduation?
One-third (32 percent) of pending 2013 college grads are planning to live at home
after graduation, while 44 percent of 2011/2012 college grads are currently living
at home
Living Situation Post-Graduation
11%
33%
56%
32%
68%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Living with my parents/family and wasnot as planned
Living with my parents/family asplanned
Living on my own or with friends
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Option not given to 2013 Graduates
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 31
2011/2012 Grads: What was your major area of study?
2013 Grads: What is your major area of study?
24 percent of pending 2013 college grads surveyed are graduating with a STEM
degree, followed by business and arts & humanities
Major - Area of Study
7%
1%
3% 4%
10%
13%
22% 21% 20%
6%
2% 2%
6%
13%
17%
13%
18%
24%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 32
2011/2012 Grads: Did you consider the availability of jobs in your field before deciding your major?
2013 Grads: Did you consider the availability of jobs in your field before deciding your major?
38 percent of 2011/2012 college grads did not consider the availability of jobs
in their field when they chose their major
Considered Availability of Jobs Before Deciding Major
38%
62%
25%
75%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
No Yes
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 33
2011/2012 Grads: Why did you choose your major area of study?
2013 Grads: Why did you choose your major area of study?
Both 2011/2012 college grads and pending 2013 college grads chose their major
based on a passion for study in that area
Why Chose Major
1% 4%
8%
14% 14% 13%
17%
42% 42% 44%
76%
1% 2%
9% 8%
12%
17%
27%
37%
48% 49%
82%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
None of the above Other I happened tohave the mostcredits in thismajor area of
study.
It prepared me fora professional
graduate degree.(e.g., medicine,
law)
This major wasrelatively easy toearn a degree in.
Members of myfamily or close
friends are in thatfield.
I believe that Icould make the
most money in myfield of study.
It provided me withpersonal
growth/heightenedmy awareness of
the world.
I believe there area lot of job
opportunities in myfield.
It is a good long-term career.
I am passionateabout my majorarea of study.
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 34
2011/2012 Grads: Which of the following do you believe helped you (or will help you) land your first or
current job post-graduation?
2013 Grads: Which of the following do you believe will help you land your first job post-graduation?
Both 2011/2012 college grads (71 percent) and pending 2013 college grads
(73 percent) believe their degree is the biggest help in landing a job
What Helped/Will Help Land First Job
6%
13%
17% 15%
21%
29% 29% 28%
35%
44%
51%
46%
71%
2%
26% 24%
25%
32%
25%
33%
39% 37%
52%
58%
64%
73%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
None of theabove
Socialnetworking
Clubs andactivitiesoutside of
school
Good digitalprofile (e.g.Facebook,Linkedin)
Additionaltraining outside
of school
The prestige ofmy school
Clubs andactivities at
school
Volunteerexperiences
Friends andfamily
connections
In-personnetworking
Internship A creativeresume
My degree
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 35
2011/2012 Grads: What has been the most effective method of looking for/finding a job?
2013 Grads: What has been the most effective method of looking for/finding a job?
While 31 percent of pending 2013 college grads say an internship is the most effective
method of finding a job, only 22 percent of 2011/2012 college grads found internships
effective; connections from friends/family was viewed as highly effective by both groups
Effective Job Search Methods
4%
7%
18% 18%
22%
38% 40%
50%
2%
6%
23%
30% 31%
39%
44% 41%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
Other Temporary contracting,which turned into [isleading to] full-time
employment
Social networkingtechnology sites (e.g.
Linkedin)
On-campus recruitingprograms
Internship, which turnedinto [is leading to] full-
time employment
Electronic job boards(e.g. Monster)
Company websites Word of mouth/friendsand family
recommendations
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Up to 3 Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 36
2011/2012 Grads: How long do you expect to stay at your first job?
2013 Grads: How long do you expect to stay at your first job?
The Class of 2013 is expecting more career longevity from their first jobs: 68 percent
of pending 2013 college grads expect to be at their first job more than three years
compared to 49 percent of 2011/2012 college grads
Length of Stay at First Job
10%
5%
36%
27%
22%
2%
30%
33% 35%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
I have already left my first job Less than 1 year 1-2 years 3-4 years 5 years or more
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Option not given to 2013 Graduates
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 37
2011/2012 Grads: What are the most important benefits for an employer to offer?
2013 Grads: What are the most important benefits for an employer to offer?
Salary and health insurance topped the list as important employer benefits; while
challenging work, mentoring and flexible hours also ranked highly
Most Important Employer Benefits
12% 12%
16%
23%
37% 34%
40% 44%
50%
56%
80%
88%
13% 14% 17%
20%
32% 35%
39% 42% 41%
49%
74%
86%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Employer’s corporate social
responsibility agenda
Employer’s commitment to
the environment
Opportunity togain globalexperience
Opportunity totravel
Reputation asan employer
Formal training Socialatmosphere
Flexible workhours
Supervisor whowill mentor and
coach me
Interesting andchallenging
work
Benefits such ashealth insurance
Salary,compensation
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Multiple Responses
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 38
Both 2011/2012 college grads and pending 2013 college grads believe their
education prepared them for their career and the investment they made in their
education was worthwhile
2011/2012 Grads: To what extent do you agree
with the following statement: My education
prepared me for my job and career?
2013 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the
following statement: My education prepared me for
my job and career?
2011/2012 Grads: To what extent do you agree
with the following statement: My investment in my
education was worthwhile?
2013 Grads: To what extent do you agree with the
following statement: My investment in my
education was worthwhile?
Education Prepared Me for Career Investment in Education Was Worthwhile
4%
9%
23%
43%
22%
2%
5%
15%
43%
35%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree norDisagree
Agree Strongly Agree
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
2%
7%
14%
38% 39%
1%
4%
11%
41% 43%
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
45%
50%
Strongly Disagree Disagree Neither Agree norDisagree
Agree Strongly Agree
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Copyright © 2013 Accenture All rights reserved. 39
2011/2012 Grads: What are your greatest concerns about your job?
2013 Grads: What are your greatest concerns about your job?
2011/2012 college grads chose earning potential (59 percent), work-life balance
(40 percent), career advancement (40 percent) and fear of being bored (37 percent)
as big job concerns
Job Concerns
7%
10%
14%
19% 16%
15%
19%
30%
37%
33%
40% 40%
59%
10% 13%
16%
13% 16%
17%
24% 24%
27%
36%
31%
40% 41%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
None of theabove
Won’t meet interesting
people
Won’t have a good
relationship with my
supervisor
No opportunityto travel
internationally
Won’t develop marketable
skills
Won’t find a meaningful
mentor
Won’t get enough training
My skills andunique talents
will beunderutilized
Will be bored Will beoverworked
Won’t be able to move up in
the organization
Won’t have good work/life
balance
Won’t earn the salary I would
like to earn
2011/2012 (n=1,005)
2013 (n=1,010)
Base=All Respondents; n=2,015
Source: Accenture 2013 College Graduate Employment Survey
Multiple Responses