Prepare more students for a shifting workforce by tracking the top career skills for bachelor’s and master’s degree holders in 2026.
In 2026, aligning the skills and experiences in your academic programs with labor market demand is no longer optional; it’s a given. Institutions must demonstrate the ROI of a degree by directly connecting students’ educational paths to career success, particularly in a tight and quickly evolving job market. Use our infographic to keep pace with the top career skills that students expect you to deliver.
Download our Top Career Skills for New Grads in 2026 infographic to see the latest employer trends and market outlook, including:
- Top 10 occupations requiring a bachelor’s degree
- Top 10 occupations requiring a master’s degree
- U.S. labor market projections by education level
- The skills and experiences employers value when hiring new grads
“As more people scrutinize the value of higher education, strong alumni career outcomes have become a powerful driver of student enrollment decisions.”
Build Undergraduate and Graduate Programs that Deliver Stronger Workforce Outcomes
When colleges and universities build academic programs that deliver in-demand hard and soft skills, new graduates find professional success faster and prospective students see a clear pathway from the classroom to a future career.
Boosting positive outcomes requires higher education leaders to not only learn what employers value across various industries but also design learning experiences that meet student expectations and anticipate the rapid workforce changes to come. This requires a clear understanding of the transferrable skills that will enable bachelor’s and master’s students to gain an edge in their career readiness.
Hanover Research’s infographic will help you explore the latest employer trends, in-demand skills, and fastest-growing occupations that hold the most promise to equip your current students and new graduates to thrive in a changing workforce.
