Dive Brief:

• Recent college graduates are lacking specific skills that have nothing to do with software programming or hard tech skills, according to managers. Instead, workplace leaders are concerned about their inability to solve problems and think critically, according to a new survey.
• The survey, from PayScale, Inc. and Future Workplace, indicates that 60% of managers say critical thinking/problem solving is the soft skill most lacking among recent college graduates.
• 44% of managers feel writing proficiency is the hard skill most lacking among graduates. After writing, public speaking is next, with 39% of managers reporting it as lacking. 

Dive Insight:

Katie Bardaro, vice president of Data Analytics, PayScale, says the report, "Leveling Up: How to Win In the Skills Economy," clearly found that the gap that exists between the skills needed to succeed in the professional world and the skills with which would-be young professionals leave college is no myth.

For example, the large majority of graduates (87%) feel well prepared (immediately or within 3 months) for their job upon graduation from college. Yet, only 50% of managers feel that employees who recently graduated from college are well prepared for the workforce. This reveals a significant gap in perception between managers and workers.