Almost half of the 41.7 million four-year college graduates currently in the workforce hold jobs that do not require a bachelor's degree, according to a study released Monday using statistics compiled by the Federal Bureau of Labor. The report, titled "Why Are Recent College Graduates Underemployed? University Enrollments and Labor Market Realities," was written by Richard Vedder, director of the Center for College Affordability and Productivity, and his colleagues argue that the current number of United States college graduates exceeds the number of jobs requiring such degrees, according to Inside Higher Ed. Vedder predicts that the number of college graduates will increase at twice the rate of job growth for openings requiring advanced degrees. Critics of the report said that this mismatch has existed in the labor market for over 30 years and is corrected by higher salaries for more educated workers, according to Inside Higher Ed.
Some college graduates have begun listing their Graduate Record Examination scores on their resumes to attract the attention of potential employers, according to The Chronicle of Education. Although the scores are intended for use by graduate school admissions offices, some job seekers claim that high scores have increased their competitiveness. Approximately 25 percent of human resources directors at companies of various sizes require or recommend that candidates submit GRE scores as part of their hiring evaluation process, according to a study compiled by the Educational Testing Service, which administers the GRE. Computer software and financial services companies were most likely to use GRE scores in their initial screening process for candidates.
President Barack Obama and a bipartisan group of senators are simultaneously planning to announce a push to pass an immigration reform package, according to Inside Higher Ed. The package may include policies that resemble the DREAM Act, which failed to pass in 2011 and aimed to provide young undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship. Other bills for immigration reform related to higher education issues include acts to expand visas available to highly educated immigrants. There is already bipartisan support in Congress to allow more visas for foreign graduates of U.S. colleges, and a bill is expected to be introduced in the Senate this week to lift the existing cap on visas for these graduates, according to Inside Higher Ed.
