This graph shows recent university graduates responses to a survey question about the value of their first job out of university for their desired career path. 36 percent of survey respondents said that their first job out of university offered them a stepping stone to the career path that they wanted.
University graduates' views on the value of their first job for their career path in the United States in 2012
Characteristic
Share of respondents
Just a job to get you by
42%
A stepping stone to a career
36%
A career
22%
0%10%20%30%40%50%
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John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (May 10, 2012). University graduates' views on the value of their first job for their career path in the United States in 2012 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved April 25, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/235217/relevance-of-first-job-to-career-path-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "University graduates' views on the value of their first job for their career path in the United States in 2012." Chart. May 10, 2012. Statista. Accessed April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/235217/relevance-of-first-job-to-career-path-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. (2012). University graduates' views on the value of their first job for their career path in the United States in 2012. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: April 25, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/235217/relevance-of-first-job-to-career-path-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development. "University Graduates' Views on The Value of Their First Job for Their Career Path in The United States in 2012." Statista, Statista Inc., 10 May 2012, https://www.statista.com/statistics/235217/relevance-of-first-job-to-career-path-in-the-us/
John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, University graduates' views on the value of their first job for their career path in the United States in 2012 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/235217/relevance-of-first-job-to-career-path-in-the-us/ (last visited April 25, 2025)
University graduates' views on the value of their first job for their career path in the United States in 2012 [Graph], John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, May 10, 2012. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/235217/relevance-of-first-job-to-career-path-in-the-us/
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