This graph shows recent university graduates responses to a survey question about what working conditions they sacrificed in order to secure their first job after graduating. 27 percent of survey respondents said they accepted work that was below their level of education.
University graduates' sacrifices when accepting their first job in the United States in 2012
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Work below my level of education
27%
Earn a lot less than I originally expected to
24%
Accept a job outside my field of interest and education
23%
Work less favorable working hours
16%
Move to another community
13%
Take a job without healthcare benefits
13%
Accept a temporary job
6%
0%10%20%30%2.5%5%7.5%12.5%15%17.5%22.5%25%27.5%
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John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (May 10, 2012). University graduates' sacrifices when accepting their first job in the United States in 2012 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 04, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/235219/university-graduates-sacrifices-for-first-job-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "University graduates' sacrifices when accepting their first job in the United States in 2012." Chart. May 10, 2012. Statista. Accessed May 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/235219/university-graduates-sacrifices-for-first-job-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (2012). University graduates' sacrifices when accepting their first job in the United States in 2012. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 04, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/235219/university-graduates-sacrifices-for-first-job-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "University Graduates' Sacrifices When Accepting Their First Job in The United States in 2012." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 May 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/235219/university-graduates-sacrifices-for-first-job-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, University graduates' sacrifices when accepting their first job in the United States in 2012 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/235219/university-graduates-sacrifices-for-first-job-in-the-us/ (last visited May 04, 2025)
University graduates' sacrifices when accepting their first job in the United States in 2012 [Graph], John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, May 10, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/235219/university-graduates-sacrifices-for-first-job-in-the-us/
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