Is a Career Readiness Crisis Looming? New Report Reveals Shocking Disconnect

The Growing Disconnect in Career Readiness

Findings from a new Cengage Group survey indicate that the disconnect between employers, educators, and students is widening, just as entry-level job opportunities are shrinking. This misalignment is creating significant challenges for recent graduates navigating a tightening job market.

Key Findings from the Cengage Group 2025 Graduate Employability Report

The Cengage Group 2025 Graduate Employability Report highlights that educators and employers prioritize different career readiness skill sets and often disagree on who should be responsible for developing them. This confusion adds stress to an already complex job landscape, with mixed signals being sent to learners.

One major area of confusion is the requirement for degrees in entry-level positions. Contrary to recent trends of reducing degree requirements, the survey shows that 71% of employers now typically require a two- or four-year degree for entry-level jobs, up from 55% in 2024 and 50% in 2023. Additionally, the percentage of employers who dropped degree requirements for some roles fell from 48% in 2024 to just 22% in 2025.

Employers are also sending mixed signals regarding certifications. Only 54% of employers reported expanding hiring practices with industry certifications this year, compared to 67% last year. The report suggests that this resurgence in degree requirements may not stem from confidence in education but from a return to familiar hiring filters as the job market tightens.

Students Feel Unprepared and Disconnected

Students and recent graduates are losing confidence in the value of a college degree. According to the survey, only 30% of graduates found jobs in their field of study, and 48% feel unprepared to apply for entry-level positions. Among those who felt their program didn't prepare them for the workforce, 56% cited a lack of job-specific skills as the top issue.

The report warns that if educators and employers do not realign, these challenges could escalate into a full-blown career readiness crisis with long-term consequences.

Students also express a desire for more support from colleges in connecting with employers. While 87% of recent graduates credit internships with helping secure a job, networking and referrals are highly valued for landing degree-relevant positions. However, 20% of graduates reported that their education program did not provide any assistance with career services, networking advice, resume preparation, or employer introductions.

Educator Misalignments in Career Preparation

Educators seem to have a disconnect in their perceptions of student readiness. Nearly 90% of educators believe their students are prepared for the workforce, which starkly contrasts with graduate experiences. While 60% of educators say they should teach industry-specific skills, only 29% believe it's their responsibility to teach workplace skills and etiquette.

Regarding artificial intelligence (AI), 79% of educators agree that students should have AI experience before graduation, but only 37% think it's their job to teach these skills in their courses. This gap underscores a broader issue in educational accountability and preparation.

The bottom line, as stated in the report, is that many graduates are entering the job market without the necessary skills, connections, or confidence, highlighting an urgent need for collaboration between all stakeholders.