A press release issued on August 9, 2022, by American Student Assistance (ASA) cites research commissioned by ASA and Jobs for the Future to understand employers’ and teens’ views about non-degree pathways to careers.

The research, which consisted of interviews and baseline surveys of 1,500 Gen Z teens and more than 600 employers, found that employers are increasingly looking beyond traditional degrees as a job requirement, but more than one-third of teens believe hiring managers and companies still favor candidates with college educations.

“This research underscores that despite shifting attitudes about college—declining enrollment, a desire for more flexible pathways, and a trend toward skill-based hiring—there is still difficult and important work ahead to ensure that students understand the full breadth of options available to them, and employers can have the confidence to hire workers without a college degree,” JFF CEO Maria Flynn said in the press release.