PayScale at SXSW: Economic Mobility Through Education, and What Employers Really Want From Grads

SXSWedu began as a regional event focusing on K-12 education in Texas, but since its inception in 2011, it has evolved into an international conference on what makes education work for students and educators. SXSWedu Conference & Festival now offers 300 sessions and workshops, 700 speakers, and an Education Expo. This year, PayScale is participating in two panel discussions: Economic Mobility Through Education, and What Employers Want Most and Get Least from Grads.

(Photo Credit: Nicole Burton/SXSWedu)

Economic Mobility Through Education
Tuesday, March 10
12:00PM – 1:00PM
Hilton Austin Downtown Salon F
500 East 4th Street

Speakers: Jim Wolfston, Founder and President, CollegeNET; Katie Bardaro, Lead Economist, PayScale

A college degree is practically a prerequisite for economic mobility, but the potential students who need one the most often find it hardest to afford. This panel discusses the problem of making college accessible for low-income students, and identifies solutions that encourage schools to admit and support students in need, and then help them embark on successful careers, post-graduation.

What Employers Want Most and Get Least from Grads
Wednesday, March 11
10:30AM – 11:30AM
Hilton Austin Downtown Salon J
500 East 4th Street

Speakers: Barnaby Dorfman, SVP & GM Consumer Business, PayScale; Tony Wagner, Expert in Residence, Harvard University Innovation Lab; Kristen Hamilton, CEO, Koru; Zach First, Senior Managing Director, Drucker Institute

Forget the finger-pointing: for underemployed college graduates, a solution to their problem is way more important than figuring out whether schools, employers, or the students themselves are to blame. These experts discuss what makes an effective education, and which teaching and training methods produce grads who will go on to successful careers. Kristen Hamilton of Koru will share the traits that they’ve identified as having the biggest impact on early career development: grit, professionalism, business impact, ownership, and rigor.

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