For many employers on-the-job-experience matters more than a student's major or grade point average, according to the results of a recent survey published in The Chronicle for Higher Education.2 Half of those surveyed said they had trouble finding graduates qualified to fill open positions, while nearly one-third gave colleges fair to poor marks or producing successful employees. The issue of work experience has recently surfaced in Colorado in many forums, from multiple industries, and by a variety of stakeholders, including key leadership across three major state systems: economic development, education and workforce development.
