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Report Highlights Increased Demand for Graduate Degree Holders
By Catherine Groux
Posted April 23, 2012 12:34 PM
A new report states that the nation needs more graduate degree holders.As the nation's workforce grows to include more high-skill positions, there will be a greater need for individuals with graduate degrees to hold these jobs. Between 2010 and 2020, about 2.6 million new wage and replacement jobs will demand applicants with an advanced degree, according to a new report by the Commission on Pathways Through Graduate School and Into Careers..
This marks a 22% increase in the number of jobs requiring a master's degree, and a 20% rise in the number of positions demanding a doctorate or professional degree.
More jobs demand graduate degree holders because, in general, employers expect these individuals to be highly skilled. The report shows that employers say they want master's and doctorate degree holders to have professionalism, oral and written communication, teamwork, collaboration, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Still, despite the need for more graduate students with these crucial traits, enrollment in advanced degree programs is not growing enough. Currently, there is an annual increase of about 3% in overall graduate enrollment, along with an annual 4% increase in enrollment among minority students. However, the report shows that a majority of bachelor's degree holders do not move on to earn a master's or doctorate degree.
Therefore, the council believes additional help is necessary to encourage more students to advance their skills and earn a graduate degree. In particular, the report states that "government plays a critical role in supporting graduate education."
So far, the government has launched various initiatives to give more students access to graduate education. For example, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program, which is part of the Federal TRIO Programs, provides funds to select schools to prepare students from disadvantaged backgrounds for doctoral studies, its website reports.
Additionally, the report applauds the several federal initiatives to create opportunities for students to gain valuable experience working in government. Currently, both federal and state governments hire many graduate degree holders, so preparing more individuals to work in this sector could prove crucial.
However, the council argues that the government has not done enough to promote graduate education. Specifically, the report argues that the government must provide more financial aid to encourage students to enroll in graduate schools and complete a master's or doctorate degree. Additionally, the council would like to see more federal initiatives like the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program to give students increased access to advanced education.
