Recruiting Trends, 2020-2021 [50th Edition]

2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University and the 50th edition of the annual Trends in Campus Recruiting Survey. More than 3000 attempted the survey with 2408 providing information that could be used in preparing this report. Due to the high level of economic uncertainty, only 1036 employers could provide hiring information at this time. The respondents represent the rich diversity of companies and organizations seeking new college talent. Sixty-four percent represented organizations with fewer than 500 employers and thirty-six percent with more than 500 employees. Unlike previous years and even the previous decade, this year's academic research report and survey findings is of special significance for both employers and career centers. The scope of insight provided regarding global and regional employment across industries during this novel pandemic will help to understand its impact on career outcomes by major and degree level. Findings indicate that despite the turbulent economy, the college labor market did not totally collapse. In fact, associate-level opportunities continued to expand. The bachelor's labor market swooned with opportunities contracted slightly. Underlying the modest decline, the landscape is murkier with some employers not on campus this fall and many employers without clear directives on their hiring targets. As in past periods of economic uncertainty, students pursuing additional degrees to avoid a poor labor market run the risk of not recouping their investment. Employers expect the recovery of the jobs lost to COVID and attaining the momentum of the college labor market that started the fall a year ago to take some time. Forty-eight percent felt that it would take two to three years to recover and additional 15% even longer. The one sure thing emerge out of the pandemic -- virtual recruiting. Virtual recruiting is here to stay and will shape the recruiting landscape for years to come. [For the 49th edition, see ED603030.]