Survey Shows Class of 2016 Feels Prepared to Enter the Workforce

The idea that your "real" working life officially begins once you cross the graduation stage and throw your cap is a scary one for a lot of people. The transition from student to employee is not always easy, but according to a new study shared by Forbes, the 2016 graduating class is passionate and feels prepared to enter the workforce.

The Accenture Strategy 2016 U.S. College Graduate Employment Study surveyed 1005 new graduates entering the workforce and 1013 students who graduated in 2014 and 2015. According to the report, over three quarters of 2016 grads surveyed (77 percent) believed that their education helped prepare them for work; 79 percent said that the job market was a factor in choosing their college major, and 68 percent reported having internships, apprenticeships, or co-ops during school to get them ready for post-grad life.

However, this readiness may be setting entry-level employees up for disappointment. Fifty-one percent of recent grads surveyed by Accenture in 2016 reported feeling underemployed, a percentage that has risen steadily over the past four years. While 80 percent of 2016 grads expect their employers to provide training in their first year on the job, only 54 percent of '14 and '15 grads reported receiving such training. 

In order to meet recent grads' high expectations—and retain their younger employees (72 percent of those who feel underemployed plan to leave their job within three years)—Accenture recommends employers create a "small-team feel" within the company. This will foster talent by instilling a feeling of ownership and empowerment among employees.