50% of American college graduates work in jobs that do not require a degree

A college degree cannot guarantee a high-paying job.

If American college graduates land their first job in a low-paying field or one that doesn’t match their interests, they run the risk of getting stuck in that job, according to a new report from two labor research organizations: The Burning Glass Institute and Strada Institute for the Future of Work.

The study results come as more Americans are skeptical about the value of college degrees and employers are less likely to require higher education.

“In today’s economy , 50% of American college graduates find jobs without a bachelor’s degree,” Matt Sigelman, CEO of The Burning Glass, told CBS on February 22.

Jobs that don't require college degrees include positions in retail, hospitality and manufacturing, according to Sigelman.

Recruitment billboard outside a coffee shop in New York City, USA

Another study by the US university education consulting firm HEA Group shows that 10 years after graduating from university, 1 in 4 people earn less than 32,000 USD/year. While this is the average annual income of workers who only graduated from high school.

So, studies show that a college degree is not a ticket to a higher-paying job. Mr. Sigelman notes that the biggest determinant of job prospects after college is the major that students choose.

For example, in contrast to criminal justice, nursing offers university graduates better employment opportunities. Nursing graduates are employed in the profession they studied and are paid according to their skills. Figures show that only 23% of nursing graduates are unemployed, compared to 68% of those in criminal justice.

Studies also show that focusing on science , technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields does not necessarily guarantee university graduates jobs and high salaries.

Experts say there are other ways to make a college degree a worthwhile investment and advance your career. Specifically, students can make an effort to find an internship position during their college studies. This will help reduce by 50% the risk of not finding a suitable job in their major after graduating from college.

“Sticking to a job in the field you want to work in also increases your chances of landing a high-paying position,” Sigelman notes. “Moving up can be difficult if you don’t start your career off right.”

College graduates who take jobs that don't require a degree risk getting stuck in that job.

Stuck in a job that doesn't require a college degree

Additionally, studies show that many students fail to find suitable employment years after graduating from university.

The reason may be that employers look at candidates' recent work experience more than their qualifications.

“For example, if you graduate and work as a waiter at a restaurant for a few years and then apply for jobs that require a college degree, employers will look at your restaurant experience and see no relevance to the position,” Sigelman said.

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