Two ways to integrate professional development into the liberal arts

Employers have long complained about a “skills gap,” noting that job applicants often lack the right combination of soft, professional skills and technical knowledge. This need has become more urgent for recent graduates, as employer expectations for early-career employees are higher than ever while on-the-job training opportunities have decreased. A global research study by Deloitte found that nearly half of all Millennial workers hold a leadership position, while Accenture found that only 21% of American employees received any formal training in a five-year period.

There are higher demands in early careers with less employer-provided training while external and societal forces lead to generational shifts. Younger generations are lacking professional skills due to helicopter parenting, “all styles equally valid” mentality and expectations, and teaching to the test.

This gap in professional and technical skills development places a greater burden on colleges and universities to graduate highly prepared and developed individuals. Liberal arts students are in particular need of help because while they hold the soft skills crucial to advancing into managerial positions, their education is often so broad that they lack the specialized knowledge and skill sets critical to gaining entry-level positions.

To prepare graduates for this reality, Mount Holyoke College and New York University (NYU) invested in practical concentrations and immersive experiences to help their graduates succeed in their careers from day one.