Early job-market signals show muted hiring demand for the class of 2026 and a growing employer preference for skills and experiential credentials. Education reporting cites an employers’ turn to skills-based hiring—valuing internships and co‑ops—while campus career centers adapt to market signals and counsel students to prioritize applied experiences. These shifts put pressure on institutions to expand work-integrated learning, microcredentials and employer partnerships. Colleges face the twin task of supporting student career readiness while demonstrating return-on-investment to prospective students amid an uneven hiring outlook.