Is college really preparing students for the working world? Is a bachelor’s degree still worth it?

Debates over the advantages of higher education often center on cost-benefit analysis for students. Many still pursue degrees due to the higher earnings and employment rates associated with graduating.

But in the professional world, one nuance that hiring companies are increasingly considering as they bring in young workers, and a highly discussed topic nationally, is whether recent grads’ cognitive and analytical abilities – like creative thinking, the ability to identify bias and misinformation, decision-making prowess, and problem-solving skills in the workplace – are strong enough to help their organization innovate and excel.

While they naturally prioritize candidates with job-specific skills, almost 90% of organizations also place a premium on the qualities of a critical thinker, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. However, in recent years, those same businesses have said that only around half of graduates are adept in these areas.

To make a degree truly worth the increasingly expensive investment, top colleges and universities must recommit to cultivating the deep analysis, discussion, and creative thinking they’ve historically been known for. Intelligent business leaders will get ahead by identifying and building on the skills their young (and older) employees already have and developing new ones through a culture of continual learning.

College’s Impact on Decision-Making, Creativity and Problem-Solving

Higher education is traditionally an ideal environment for strengthening critical thinking, defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the objective, systematic, and rational analysis of evidence to form sound judgments. Critical thinkers reach logical conclusions by pursuing the truth and then using that information to make informed decisions and intelligently solve problems. The qualities of a critical thinker also lend themselves to creative thinking because these individuals see all angles of a topic and can think outside the box.

Colleges nurture these skills through:

• Discussion and debate with diverse peers

• Advanced classes requiring deep analysis and creative problem solving

• Interdisciplinary learning that expands perspectives

The Core Qualities of a Critical Thinker and the Advantages They Bring

Graduates who recognize the benefits of critical thinking and adopt it in their day-to-day lives share several common traits:

• Curiosity and a habit of continual learning
• Ability to identify bias (including internal bias) and misinformation
• Openness to changing views when presented with new evidence
• The aptitude to see connections others don’t, share new insights, and draw unique conclusions using creative thinking
• Strong decision-making grounded in logic and consequence
• Confidence navigating ambiguous or complicated problems

These qualities provide major advantages in the professional world. For example:

• A doctor applying creativity and problem solving to diagnose complex conditions in underserved communities by analyzing demographic data and health-related social needs

• A marketer challenging assumptions to uncover new strategic opportunities

The benefits of critical thinking, continual learning, and problem-solving skills in the workplace are wide-ranging. Employees with the qualities of a critical thinker can:

• Lead or contribute to problem-solving sessions with creative thinking

• Save their companies money with original solutions to ongoing problems

• Make well-informed and ethical decisions that avoid moral ambiguity and bias/harm

• Anticipate and address roadblocks before they cause trouble

• Communicate and present information in a clear, rational way

• Collaborate effectively with anyone on their team

• Provide clear, constructive feedback to colleagues

• Resolve disputes respectfully when they arise

• Ensure their organization’s more adaptable to shifts in their industry

• Challenge the status quo and long-held assumptions

How a Learning Culture Improves Mindsets and Organizational Success

Critical thinking, creativity and problem solving are especially vital during major periods of change for a business, such as a product launch, merger or acquisition, or entry into a new market. But organizations can only experience the full benefits of critical thinking and expand employees’ capacity for creative thinking by intentionally supporting these skills through a strong learning culture.

Establishing productive, growth-oriented teams means nourishing the curiosity intrinsic to critical thinkers and enhancing their talents. It also requires engaging employees who are less naturally inclined to these competencies and helping them build strong, discerning mindsets. This may include:

• Working with a learning and development provider for required online courses

• Encouraging individuals to invest time in free or paid critical thinking courses from external vendors and universities

• Bringing in expert consultants who specialize in mindset development and performance improvement

Creating a learning culture encourages employees to ask questions, seek clarity, and understand how they can better support your business. It empowers individuals to own their roles, pursue excellence beyond their day-to-day responsibilities, and contribute new ideas. A strong learning environment also inspires the kind of creative thinking that drives innovation and industry leadership. In fact, according to Deloitte, organizations that prioritize learning are 92% more likely to innovate.

The Pacific Institute strengthens company culture and improves individual mindsets by teaching teams how to unlock their potential. Drawing on behavioral and cognitive psychology, we help people release unproductive beliefs and thinking patterns, apply both critical and creative thinking, and focus on achieving individual and organizational goals, ultimately helping businesses achieve better alignment, collaboration, and productivity. To learn more, contact The Pacific Institute today.