2. What Do Employers Want
from College Graduates?
75%
25%
Employers who value
internship experience
80%
20%
Employers who value
communication skills
Based on a literature review of 20 studies
Soft Skills Ranked Consistently Higher:
Communication, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Problem
Solving and Innovation > Academic Skills or Major,
Extracurricular Activities, Coursework, GPA, College
Reputation
3. Trends and Implications
84%
16%
Study abroad students
in STEM fields*
*Institute of International Education, 2009
**Forbes 2012
86%
14%
STEM Students who are
under-represented
minorities**
STEM programs too rigid; students cannot find time yet need to develop soft skills
URMs not encouraged and/or intimidated by STEM
4. Macro Perspective
Break down barriers for STEM students to intern abroad ->
Develop necessary soft skills
Bring knowledge learned collaborating abroad back to the US +
Encourage URMs into STEM ->
Inspire innovation in the US
*March 2008, 50th Anniversary of The House
Committee on Science and Technology
