For the Class of 2026, 6% of employers rate the job market as “Poor,” and another 45% call it “Fair,” the gloomiest outlook since the first year of the pandemic, according to a survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Employers point to an uncertain economy, layoffs, and AI’s growing ability to take on entry-level tasks, all of which have pushed them toward candidates who already have experience.

In the Data Crunch, How Do Employers Rate the Job Market for College Grads?, students will analyze employer ratings across six hiring seasons and answer questions about the trends, similarities, and differences between those years.

Click these links to access the article source, data crunch, and answer key

Full Wall Street Journal Source Article | NGPF Data Crunch + Answer Key

This data crunch pairs well with NGPF’s Career Unit.

This resource was created through NGPF’s partnership with Dow Jones, bringing high quality financial journalism into personal finance classrooms across the country for free.

Every WSJ Wednesday, NGPF will highlight a classroom-ready article, video, or data crunch resource from the Wall Street Journal, MarketWatch, or Barron’s, including a student guide, discussion questions, and an answer key.

About the Author

Yonathan Tadesse

Yonathan is a Dallas-based Curriculum Designer at NGPF with 12 years of experience as a high school math, college transition, and financial literacy teacher. An award-winning educator, he has a track record of launching innovative programs at the high school level that expand access and opportunity for students. He is a graduate of Emory University and is passionate about advancing financial education for all students. Outside of work, Yonathan loves spending time with his wife and two kids, working out, playing chess and poker, and learning new things.