How higher education institutions can equip students for the contemporary job market

During my college years, I envisioned my future career based on internships at Boeing and Microsoft, anticipating a communication-heavy role involving memos, letters, and emails, along with extensive global travel for in-person meetings. However, the current job market is markedly visual and global, driven by technologies beyond my college imagination. With teammates worldwide, our collaboration relies on visuals rather than traditional written communication.

This personal experience highlights a key challenge in our education system—the need to adapt swiftly to a rapidly changing world. Students evolve alongside the dynamic landscape, and educational institutions must keep pace to adequately prepare them for jobs that differ significantly from today's roles.

Many colleges face the challenge of efficiently preparing students for the professional world, as indicated by a recent Wiley poll revealing that only 46% of college students believe their schools adequately ready them for post-graduation employment. This dissatisfaction contributes to a decline in college enrollment, posing an existential threat to institutions with limited financial flexibility.

To address these concerns, colleges and universities must swiftly respond to ensure students acquire the essential skills for workforce success. While the task may seem formidable, history shows that adapting to technological changes, such as the introduction of computers and the internet in classrooms, is possible with thoughtful adjustments to the student experience. By making deliberate changes, educational institutions can empower students globally to excel in their work, achieve their goals, and acquire the skills necessary for both current and future success.

A new education imperative: AI literacy and skills

In the ever-changing landscape of education, there is a growing need for literacy and skills in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The upcoming decade is expected to bring a significant shift in the nature of work, with AI firmly establishing itself as a crucial job skill in today's workforce.

While this evolution may appear challenging, AI is already a reality, evident in the widespread use of tools like ChatGPT and DALL-E on a daily basis. According to a recent survey conducted by Canva, which involved more than 4,000 global marketing leaders, the majority are actively adopting AI to enhance creativity and boost productivity in the workplace. Canva's inaugural AI in Education study also revealed that educators increasingly view AI as a valuable tool for augmenting student creativity.

For colleges and universities, the focus extends beyond merely keeping up with technological trends; it involves empowering students with practical skills essential for success in a technology-driven workforce. Through the integration of AI education into curricula and hands-on experiences facilitated by platforms like Canva, educational institutions play a crucial role in ensuring their graduates possess not only academic prowess but also the practical readiness required for the challenges of a technology-centric professional landscape.

Preparing students to communicate visual

As the workplace embraces increasing globalization, the role of visual communication becomes crucial in facilitating collaboration and boosting productivity. According to Canva's Visual Economy Report, visuals are emerging as the most impactful means of communication in the professional sphere. A substantial 90% of global business leaders believe that visual communication enhances efficiency, 89% see improvements in collaboration, and 85% recognize its authoritative impact. Notably, 61% of these leaders anticipate non-design roles to require "extensive design knowledge," including the ability to create graphics and presentations from scratch.

Encouragingly, young individuals are well-equipped for this transition, with visual communication playing a central role in their daily interactions, particularly on social media. The report highlights that 80% of Gen Z teens credit platforms like YouTube for increasing their knowledge, showcasing their existing belief in the power of visual communication, which is integral to their daily lives.

Recognizing this trend, many colleges and universities are leveraging platforms like Canva for Campus to provide students and staff with essential tools. This enables them to create presentations, images, videos, whiteboards, and animations, fostering an environment for optimal creativity and experimentation. Through such initiatives, educational institutions empower students to develop visual communication skills, unlock their creativity, and collaborate effectively with peers.

Embracing a new era of education

The upcoming decade in education promises to be a period of significant transformation, and it is our shared duty to guarantee that we are adequately preparing the next generation of the workforce for success. The educational journey within colleges and universities plays a vital role in bridging the gap between academic institutions and the contemporary workplace. With over 60 million monthly users, including students, teachers, and professors, engaging with Canva, we approach this responsibility with utmost seriousness. We are thrilled to introduce our global community to the tools that represent the future of education.