Analyze the graph to answer the questions on this Data Crunch.
NOTE: Although this Data Crunch uses data on college graduates, these job characteristics are still relevant for students pursuing other career options.
What were the three most important characteristics for all college graduates? What were the three least important characteristics?
Which characteristics were more important for recent graduates than for all graduates?
What should you do after high school? It’s a big question, but don’t panic. Watch this video that breaks down your different options, then answer the questions.
What are three options you can pursue after high school?
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Why might going to college be a good financial decision, despite the cost?
What are the pros and cons of beginning work directly after high school?
A 4-year college is a great option after high school, but it’s not the only one. Read the article to learn more about community college, trade school, and more! Then, answer the questions.
Why might you consider community college if you know you want a four-year bachelor's degree?
Why do you think there is so much demand for apprenticeships?
Trade schools and boot camps prepare students to enter a specific career, but many are for-profit programs. Explain what “for-profit” means. What are the potential disadvantages of attending a for-profit school?
The benefits of education go beyond pay. Watch the video to learn how education is related to unemployment, then answer the questions.
Between February and April 2020, the unemployment rate went from 3.5% to…
Interactive: BLS’ Charts of the Largest Occupations in Each Area
Which job is the most popular in the United States? What about your state? Your specific area? In this activity, you’ll use an interactive chart from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to answer these questions.
BEFORE accessing the interactive, write a prediction. What do you think is the most common job in the United States? Why?
BEFORE accessing the interactive, what two jobs do you think are the most common in your state? Why?
Part I: United States Data
First, we’ll explore what occupations were the most common in the United States.
At the top of the chart, you will see two drop-down options, one for State and one for Area. Make sure both are set to “United States.”
Access the interactive. When was the data in these charts last reported? (e.g. May 2019)
What were the top three jobs in the country at the time this data was reported? Does this surprise you? Why or why not?
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Part II: State Data
Let’s now look at occupational statistics for your state.
For the State drop down, select your state. For the Area drop down, select the first option for “[Your State] (statewide).”
What were the top three jobs in your state at the time this data was reported? How do they compare to the most common jobs in the country?
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Let’s now see what the data is for your specific area within your state. Select the area that is closest to you in the Area drop down at the top of the chart, keeping the state the same.
What were the top three jobs in your area at the time this data was reported? How do they compare to the most common jobs in the state?
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Why do you think these are the most common jobs in your area and state? Do they correlate with goods/services your state is known for?
When responding to the survey, were graduates asked to select one characteristic or multiple? Explain how you know.
Why do you think recent graduates were more likely to cite pay as the main reason a job was good, compared to all graduates?
Opportunities to grow are usually linked to pay. Hypothesize why recent college graduates place more importance on pay and less importance on opportunities to grow, compared to all graduates.
Economists pay close attention to the unemployment rate because:
Which demographic of workers in the US had the fewest jobs lost in March & April 2020?
The unemployment rate for college grads was 8.4% in April 2020 & the rate for those with a high school diploma was:
The sectors predicted to recover the slowest after the economic downturn of early 2020 are:
Do you think the correlation between higher education and job security will continue in the future? Why or why not?
