A recent study by the Burning Glass Institute and Strada Education Foundation has cast a shadow over the traditional college path. Their findings suggest that a significant portion of graduates (around 52%) find themselves underemployed in the first year after graduation, with many not utilizing the skills they learned in their degrees.

The situation doesn't improve much over time either. The study indicates that 45% of graduates won't even be in jobs requiring a degree five years down the line. This has led to a decline in American confidence in higher education, with Gallup reporting a drop from 57% to 36% believing college is a worthwhile investment in the past decade.

So, what are graduates doing instead? The data reveals a trend towards jobs that don't necessarily require a degree, with fields like public safety and security (68% underemployment rate) and business (57% underemployment rate) showing significant numbers of graduates in roles not utilising their qualifications.

However, there is a glimmer of hope. The study also found that a bachelor's degree can still lead to higher earnings, with degree holders earning nearly 90% more than high school graduates in their 20s.

"It's not that a degree isn't valuable," clarifies Matt Sigelman, president of Burning Glass Institute, "but it's not valuable for enough people."

The key takeaway seems to be the importance of the first job after graduation. Many graduates who end up underemployed take jobs that don't leverage their degrees, potentially limiting their future career options.

"We all need to be thinking of that first post-college job as a high-stakes milestone," emphasizes Stephen Moret, CEO of Strada Education Foundation.

The study also highlights the potential benefits of internships. Social science majors who completed internships saw their underemployment rate drop by 40% five years after graduation. Universities like Tufts are taking note, requiring environmental studies majors to complete at least 100 hours of internship experience. This approach appears to be paying off, with around 50-70% of Tufts environmental studies graduates transitioning into environmental work.

The experiences of graduates like Brennan Bence (theater major) and Maroua Ouadani (hospitality degree) further illustrate the challenges of navigating the job market. Both graduates found themselves in jobs that didn't utilize their degrees and are now considering alternative paths, such as MBAs or entrepreneurship.

While a college degree can still be valuable, this study suggests a need for a more strategic approach to higher education. Exploring internship opportunities and carefully considering career paths can help graduates leverage their degrees and secure fulfilling employment.

Want to learn more? Check out the original article on Daily Mail