In this episode of The Career Ready Podcast, hosts Rebecca Harrington and Jordan Ruprecht welcome Dr. Mary Gatta, Director of Research and Public Policy at the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE).

Dr. Gatta shares insights from NACE’s latest research, including:

• The 8 Career Readiness Competencies and why they serve as “career currency” for graduates.
• Which competencies employers value most—and where new grads often fall short.
• How skills-based hiring is changing the way employers evaluate candidates.
• New data on the impact of internships and experiential learning on long-term career success (hint: $15K salary bump on average).
• Trends around AI in recruiting, hybrid work preferences, and why students who use their career center report more job offers and higher starting salaries.

Whether you’re a student preparing for your first job, a faculty member supporting career readiness, or an employer navigating the talent pipeline, this episode offers research-driven strategies to help you succeed in today’s evolving job market.

Resource mentioned:

• NACE LinkedIn
  (for the latest research & job outlook reports)

Listeners in the College of DuPage community can visit our website. All other listeners are encouraged to view the resources of their local community college, WIOA training programs, or other local support centers.

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