Articles of Interest (April 24, 2025)

Quote: 

"Without the little ideas, there are no big ideas." Twyla Tharp via HERC SmartBrief for the Higher Ed Leader

Articles of Interest:

• The Forbes article titled "The Future Of Hiring Will Be Transferable Skills, Not Experience," published on April 23, 2025, discusses the evolving landscape of recruitment, emphasizing the increasing importance of transferable skills over traditional experience-based qualifications.​

• The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) has released its Job Outlook 2025 Spring Update, highlighting a moderated hiring landscape for the college Class of 2025.​

Key Findings:

• Hiring Projections Adjusted: Initially, employers anticipated a 7.3% increase in hiring for the Class of 2025 compared to the Class of 2024. However, updated projections now indicate a modest 0.6% increase. Despite this adjustment, nearly 90% of employers plan to either maintain (64.6%) or increase (24.6%) their hiring levels. ​Default+2Default+2Default+2

• Shift Toward Skills-Based Hiring: The reliance on GPA as a screening tool continues to decline, with less than 40% of employers using it. Instead, nearly two-thirds of employers are adopting skills-based hiring practices, focusing on candidates' majors, industry experience, and internships to assess potential. ​Default+2Default+2Default+2

• Work Modality Preferences: Employers favor hybrid and in-person work arrangements for new hires, aligning with Gen Z's preference for face-to-face engagement coupled with flexibility.​

• Internship Opportunities: Looking ahead, most employers expect to seek candidates for entry-level roles and internships in the fall, indicating positive prospects for the Class of 2026.
  

• ​The article "Market Downturn Hurts College Seniors' Career Optimism" from Inside Higher Ed highlights the challenges faced by the Class of 2025 as they approach graduation amid a slowing job market. A fall 2024 survey revealed that 56% of graduating students felt "very" or "somewhat" pessimistic about their career prospects. This sentiment persists, with new data from Handshake indicating continued concern among students. While employers report plans to hire a similar number of graduates as in the previous year, sectors like federal and tech roles are experiencing reduced hiring, contributing to a more competitive job market.

• Is this a wave of the future? The University of Kentucky is proposing a significant restructuring of its athletics department by establishing a new corporate entity named Champions Blue LLC. This initiative aims to provide the university with greater financial flexibility and adaptability in response to escalating costs associated with a potential NCAA antitrust settlement, which could increase expenses by approximately $50 million. Read more.

• Northwestern University Announces First-of-its-Kind Leadership Development Program for Collegiate Coaches - ​Northwestern University has launched the Kellogg Coaches Leadership Academy, a pioneering program designed to provide collegiate coaches with advanced business and leadership training. This initiative, a collaboration between Northwestern's Department of Athletics and Recreation and the Kellogg School of Management, aims to equip coaches with skills in business analytics, crisis management, complex negotiations, and leadership strategies to navigate the evolving landscape of intercollegiate athletics. Read more.