By Nia Saunders
The graduating class of 2019 has a daunting task ahead of them when it comes to entering today’s job market. While it seems intimidating, the new graduates should know that employers rely on their generation to modernize their companies and keep them relevant.
So what does this next generation of employees need to know about the state of the current American job market?
For those that are entering the job market from college with a degree are already at an advantage among their peers. Studies from the Bureau of Labor Statistics predict that jobs that require a master’s degree will increase by 21 percent by 2020. Occupations are demanding more education and training from their employees, something that can often be an ongoing process throughout an employee’s entire career. Over the course of the last thirty years, there has been a 68% increase in jobs available which require a combination of higher education, work and internship experience. Over the same course of time, there has only been a 31% increase in jobs that are available that don’t require the same amount of education and experience. The need for educated and experienced potential employees will rise as the job market continues to evolve.
Whether or not the local job market is thriving depends on the economy and location in every U.S. city. Research from the Brookings Institution suggests that cities who currently have reliable job markets will continue to thrive in the coming years. Cities such as Washington D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, New York and Chicago are just a few places in which large companies call home and can offer the most opportunities.
As societal norms change the United States will begin to see men and women competing for the same jobs which have previously been dominated by one gender. Men who previously dominated management positions in the workplace are now having to compete with qualified women. This will raise the competition among the job market as employers are now more conscious of equal opportunities regardless of gender.
With the increase of technology also comes flexibility, which will have a huge impact on the workforce and how people work. Smartphones and laptops have created the opportunity for employees to stay connected with their work from virtually anywhere. This will create an added responsibility for employees to constantly check emails, participate in meetings and give presentations from home. Additionally, the employers will equally have an added responsibility to allow work outside of the office.
Graduates who understand these characteristics of the workforce will have an easier time adjusting to its changes, because it is not the same as when their parents first entered. The state of the job market will continue to change as this young generation integrates itself into the workforce in America.
Sources:
https://money.usnews.com/money/careers/slideshows/what-will-the-job-market-look-like-in-2020?slide=2
sans CV 
Leave a comment