THE CLASS OF 2023: CAREER PREPARATION, PLANS, AND EXPECTATIONS

As the Class of 2023 enters the workforce, they do so in a post-pandemic world characterized by low unemployment rates and the normalization of hybrid and remote work. Despite these challenges, employers plan to hire 3.9% more Class of 2023 graduates compared to the previous year. The graduating seniors actively engaged with their college career centers, with 69% seeking services such as skills testing, employer research, and career assessments. In-person career fairs made a return, yielding positive results, while 79% of students participated in experiential learning, primarily through internships. Graduates valued job security and in-person work, with 51% preferring on-site work and 42% favoring hybrid arrangements.