An article fromWhat does the class of 2026 want from their post-grad jobs?

Here’s what recent grads are looking for amid the job search, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

Published June 17, 2026Caroline Colvin Reporter

• Share
  • Copy link
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • X/Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
• License
• Add us on Google

Getty Images

First published on

Listen to the article 2 min This audio is auto-generated. Please let us know if you have feedback.

What is the class of 2026 looking for when applying and interviewing for jobs?

In a 2026 survey of more than 17,000 students from 258 higher education institutions, the National Association of Colleges and Employers found recent grads want employers that provide opportunities for professional development. 

Recent grads also want the brass tacks: job security, a solid benefits package, and a high starting salary. But college students entering today’s workforce — and a market still being roiled by the effects of artificial intelligence tools — “are not just looking for a first job; they are looking for a strong start,” NACE said.

if (window.dfp_visibility === 'mobile' ) googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.defineSlot( '/3618/highereddive/highereddivehybrid1', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'dfp-hybrid1-mobile' ).addService(googletag.pubads()); ); waitToLoadAds.push(function() googletag.cmd.push(function() if (window.dfp_visibility === 'mobile' ) window.onDvtagReady?.(() => googletag.display('dfp-hybrid1-mobile')); googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function (event) var adUnitPath = '/3618/highereddive/highereddivehybrid1'; var onProformative = false; if (onProformative && event.slot.getAdUnitPath() === adUnitPath && !event.isEmpty ) var adUnitPathWithVisibility = adUnitPath + '-mobile'; var selector = '.pf-comments__ad-wrapper #dfp-hybrid1-mobile'; if (!$(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').hasClass('borders')) $(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').addClass('borders') ); ); ); if (window.dfp_visibility === 'desktop' ) googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.defineSlot( '/3618/highereddive/highereddivehybrid2', [[300, 250], 'fluid'], 'dfp-hybrid2-desktop' ).addService(googletag.pubads()); ); waitToLoadAds.push(function() googletag.cmd.push(function() if (window.dfp_visibility === 'desktop' ) window.onDvtagReady?.(() => googletag.display('dfp-hybrid2-desktop')); googletag.pubads().addEventListener('slotRenderEnded', function (event) var adUnitPath = '/3618/highereddive/highereddivehybrid2'; var onProformative = false; if (onProformative && event.slot.getAdUnitPath() === adUnitPath && !event.isEmpty ) var adUnitPathWithVisibility = adUnitPath + '-desktop'; var selector = '.pf-comments__ad-wrapper #dfp-hybrid2-desktop'; if (!$(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').hasClass('borders')) $(selector).closest('.pf-comments__ad-wrapper').addClass('borders') ); ); );

The class of 2026 seems aware of what they bring to the table, if other research is any indication. About 1 in 5 employed grads feel that they are overqualified for their current role, according to a ZipRecruiter report. A similar number said they intentionally applied for a job beneath their level of skill, just to get their foot in the door.

In that same survey, more than half of respondents explicitly said their current job is a stepping stone. Paired with the NACE findings about recent grads’ desire for advancement, HR can showcase opportunities for advancement, which could prompt these workers to stay longer-term.

“Career growth is especially important to new college graduates, which means employers need to show clear pathways for advancement, provide meaningful support, and help early talent see how they can build a future within the organization,” NACE President and CEO Shawn VanDerziel said in a statement, adding that this kind of talent support can help with retention and employee loyalty. 

• Add us on Google
• Share
  • Copy link
  • Email
  • LinkedIn
  • X/Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Print
  • License

Filed Under: Students /* Keep this hidden until we need to show the v2 challenge. */ .captcha-container display: none; (function () []; window._signupRecaptchaConfigs.push(config); // If we've already initialized once, skip doing it again. if (window._signupRecaptchaBootstrapped) return; window._signupRecaptchaBootstrapped = true; // Strip odd characters so this is safe for dataset keys/callback names. function safeKey(str) 'default').replace(/[^a-zA-Z0-9_]/g, ''); // Load v3 for scoring and v2 for the fallback challenge. function loadRecaptchaScripts(v3SiteKey) if (!document.getElementById('signup-recaptcha-v2-script')) var v2Script = document.createElement('script'); v2Script.id = 'signup-recaptcha-v2-script'; v2Script.src = 'https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js'; v2Script.defer = true; document.head.appendChild(v2Script); if (!document.getElementById('signup-recaptcha-v3-script')) var v3Script = document.createElement('script'); v3Script.id = 'signup-recaptcha-v3-script'; v3Script.src = 'https://www.google.com/recaptcha/api.js?render=' + encodeURIComponent(v3SiteKey); v3Script.defer = true; document.head.appendChild(v3Script); // Get a v3 token, then let our backend verify and score it. function runV3AndScore(v3SiteKey, actionName) return grecaptcha.execute(v3SiteKey, action: actionName ) .then(function(token) return fetch('/signup/recaptcha-v3-score/', method: 'POST', headers: 'Content-Type': 'application/json' , body: JSON.stringify( token: token, action: actionName ) ); ) .then(function(res) return res.json(); ); // Wire recaptcha behavior to each form this config points to. function wireConfig(config, configIndex) var forms = document.querySelectorAll(config.formSelector); forms.forEach(function(form, formIndex) // Keep track of whether this form is wired/passed/already waiting on v2. var key = safeKey(config.key + '_' + configIndex + '_' + formIndex); var wiredFlag = 'recaptchaWired' + key; var passedFlag = 'recaptchaPassed' + key; var awaitingFlag = 'awaitingV2Challenge' + key; if (form.dataset[wiredFlag] === 'true') return; form.dataset[wiredFlag] = 'true'; var recaptchaElement = form.querySelector(config.v2ElementSelector); var widgetId = null; var v2WatcherInterval = null; // First check the widget API, then fall back to hidden textarea values. function getV2Response() var response = ''; try response = widgetId !== null ? grecaptcha.getResponse(widgetId) : grecaptcha.getResponse(); catch (e) response = ''; if (!response) var textareaInForm = form.querySelector('textarea[name="g-recaptcha-response"]'); var globalTextarea = document.querySelector('textarea[name="g-recaptcha-response"]'); if (textareaInForm && textareaInForm.value) response = textareaInForm.value; else if (globalTextarea && globalTextarea.value) response = globalTextarea.value; return response; // Once verified, mark the form so the submit handler lets it pass. function submitVerifiedForm() if (form.dataset[passedFlag] === 'true') return; form.dataset[passedFlag] = 'true'; if (form.closest('.inline-signup')) if (window.jQuery) window.jQuery(form).triggerHandler('recaptcha:verified'); var inlineContainer = form.querySelector(config.v2ContainerSelector); if (inlineContainer) inlineContainer.style.display = 'none'; form.submit(); // Show the v2 challenge and poll until we see a response token. function beginV2Challenge() form.dataset[awaitingFlag] = 'true'; var container = form.querySelector(config.v2ContainerSelector); if (container) container.style.display = 'block'; if (v2WatcherInterval) clearInterval(v2WatcherInterval); v2WatcherInterval = setInterval(function() if (form.dataset[passedFlag] === 'true') clearInterval(v2WatcherInterval); return; var response = getV2Response(); if (response) clearInterval(v2WatcherInterval); submitVerifiedForm(); , 250); // Render the v2 widget only when the element exists on this form. if (recaptchaElement) var callbackName = 'onSignupRecaptchaV2Success_' + key; window[callbackName] = function() submitVerifiedForm(); ; recaptchaElement.setAttribute('data-callback', callbackName); try widgetId = grecaptcha.render(recaptchaElement, sitekey: config.v2SiteKey, callback: function() submitVerifiedForm(); ); catch (e) // Main flow: validation first, then v3 score check, then v2 fallback if needed. form.addEventListener('submit', function(event) if (form.dataset[passedFlag] === 'true') return; event.preventDefault(); if (config.runExistingValidation && window.jQuery) var validationEvent = jQuery.Event('submit'); $(form).triggerHandler(validationEvent); if (validationEvent.isDefaultPrevented()) return; if (form.dataset[awaitingFlag] === 'true') if (getV2Response()) submitVerifiedForm(); else beginV2Challenge(); return; grecaptcha.ready(function() runV3AndScore(config.v3SiteKey, config.submitAction) .then(function(data) data.success)); var scorePass = !Number.isNaN(score) && score > config.scoreThreshold; if (recaptchaSuccess && scorePass) submitVerifiedForm(); return; beginV2Challenge(); ) .catch(function() // If v3 fails (network/API), still let real users complete v2. beginV2Challenge(); ); ); ); // Run a quiet v3 check on page load in the background. //grecaptcha.ready(function() // runV3AndScore(config.v3SiteKey, config.pageAction).catch(function() ); //); ); // Wire everything once grecaptcha is available. function setupAllConfigs() if (typeof grecaptcha === 'undefined') return false; window._signupRecaptchaConfigs.forEach(function(config, index) wireConfig(config, index); ); return true; document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', function() ); )(); Higher Ed Dive news delivered to your inbox

Get the free daily newsletter read by industry experts

Email:

• Select user consent: By signing up to receive our newsletter, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe at anytime.

Sign up A valid email address is required. Please select at least one newsletter.Editors' picks

• Getty ImagesDeep Dive Why GSA’s anti-DEI certification is raising alarm in higher education

  Colleges that don’t sign the General Services Administration’s proposed certification could face severe penalties, including losing their federal funding. 

  By David Weisenfeld • May 4, 2026
• Permission granted by Chris Insana2nd Canvas data breach causes major disruptions for colleges

  The Instructure-owned learning management system went offline on May 7 after a threat actor once again gained unauthorized access.

  By Anna Merod • May 8, 2026