Chegg, The Student Hub, today announced the results of a national study that examines the intersection of higher education and workforce preparedness to compare student and employer expectations for success after graduation. The survey uncovers the root of the "skills gap" and the significant disconnect between what hiring managers value and what students believe to be important to land a job in a chosen field. The results detail the "Student Skill Index" – or the measure of this disconnect over specific skills. 

"Today's student is plugged in and ready to learn, yet they are graduating into an economy that requires more than a traditional degree," said Dan Rosensweig, President and CEO of Chegg. "This is an opportunity – not to mention a responsibility – for educational institutions to add to what they are teaching, to focus more on outcomes, and for businesses to take the lead by investing in training and mentoring programs for young employees and working with our local universities and colleges to develop the entry-level skills so critical to workplace success."

The study was commissioned by Chegg and conducted online with two surveys by Harris Interactive® in August 2013. A student-focused survey was conducted among 2,001 US residents age 18-24 who are enrolled in a 2-or 4-year public or private college. An employer-focused survey was conducted among 1,000 hiring managers.

Student Skill Index 
Students and hiring managers place emphasis on different skills they believe are needed, and as a result students miss the opportunity to focus on skills the workforce is looking for: fewer than two in five hiring managers say the recent college graduates they have interviewed in the past two years were completely or very prepared for a job in their field of study. The differences are particularly wide in terms of prioritizing work (50% of hiring managers vs. 77% of students who believe they're very or extremely prepared), organizational skills (54% of hiring managers vs. 79% of students) and leading a group toward a common goal (42% of hiring managers vs. 68% of students).  

To help employers, universities and students better understand where the skills gap exists, Chegg is publishing the "Bridge That Gap" report. It takes a deeper look at the study results and data, giving educators and employers an overview of the important differences, and presents solutions to help create a successful generation of graduates.

Overall, the report highlights important areas that must be addressed in order to close the gap between student skills and employer needs. Key takeaways highlight that students haven't mastered the business basics hiring managers value, nor do they come equipped with "office street smarts" and need help learning the rules.