Addressing Undergraduate Skill Gaps in Higher Education: Revisiting Communication in the Major Course Outcomes

Ongoing employer concerns about communication skill deficits and workforce readiness among college graduates have prompted this regionally-based study comparing survey results between 2015 and 2018 that identified oral and written communication skills that regarded as critical to career success by local employers. Results examine the areas where employer perceptions about communication skill importance and satisfaction had changed, particularly in areas addressed by communication course outcomes adopted by a regional public undergraduate business program. Results indicate that dissatisfaction declined in skills directly addressed by communication curriculum, and in some areas satisfaction levels improved. Implications for aligning undergraduate curriculum to regional workforce needs are discussed.