Survey Of N.C. Employers Provides Insights For Job Seekers

By Ben Coulter, Ed.D.

If you’ve been looking for a job in North Carolina, or know someone who is, you’ve probably noticed it’s more difficult than in years past. That’s because more employers are looking for candidates with a combination of degrees, experience, and familiarity with artificial intelligence (AI) tools.

Western Governors University recently released the results of a study titled “Workforce Decoded: AI, Skills and the Future of Hiring” that summarized the responses from 3,147 U.S.-based employers. One major takeaway from the study is that employers are not trading one qualification for another; rather, they are seeking candidates with the right combination of degrees, credentials, and competencies.

North Carolina employers weigh in

Looking specifically at responses from the 130 North Carolina employers who answered the survey, 43.8% said college degrees and experience are equally important, 24.6% said experience is somewhat more important than degrees, and 15.4% said degrees are somewhat more important than experience.

If you don’t yet have a two- or four-year degree in your desired field, you can still obtain a professional certificate that validates your skills more quickly and affordably than earning a degree. The study found that 33.8% of employers in North Carolina view professional certificates as very valuable, 32.3% as somewhat valuable, and 17.7% as extremely valuable.

The impact of AI on hiring is increasingly significant. In North Carolina, 70% of respondents reported altering their candidate selection process because of AI, while 35% are limiting their hiring of entry-level candidates for the same reason. This shift is also affecting college students’ educational choices, as a Lumina Foundation-Gallup survey found that 47% of students have considered changing their majors due to AI, with 16% already making such changes.

Echoing the national trend, more North Carolina employers are now assessing job seekers’ AI skills. About 36% said they are evaluating candidates’ real-world experience with AI tools such as ChatGPT, Copilot, and Python; 22% said they conduct technical interviews or coding challenges specific to AI; and 38% said they are looking for candidates with AI certificates.

How to bolster your chances of getting hired

To stand out, job seekers should use several strategies to get hired.

• Seek a combination of degrees and experience.
o In many industries, even an associate degree can get your foot in the door.
o To progress toward a bachelor’s degree, seek an accredited four-year school that will accept all or most of your academic credits.
o Gain hands-on experience through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteer opportunities.

• Brush up on your AI skills
o Look for free or low-cost tutorials on ChatGPT, Copilot, Claude, Gemini, or other large language models (LLMs).
o Practice using traditional AI to generate reports and summaries.
o Practice using generative AI to create graphics, charts, or designs.
o Practice using predictive AI to make data-driven predictions.
o You should also establish an understanding of ethical and unethical uses of AI. For example, know when and how to cite AI usage in your work.

The traditional thought that a college degree alone can get you a good job is no longer the case. To bolster your chances of landing a job, highlight your real-world experience in addition to your degrees and professional certificates. Additionally, be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency, whether basic or advanced, with popular AI platforms.

Keep building your portfolio of credentials and experience to advance your career. Best of luck!

Ben Coulter, Ed.D., is chancellor of Western Governors University in North Carolina and Southeast regional director for the university.