Stephen F.

Austin State University

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Faculty Publications Business Communication and Legal Studies

3-2007

Computer Application Employability Skills

S. Ann Wilson
Nelson Rusche College of Business, Stephen F. Austin State University, [email protected]

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Wilson, S. Ann, "Computer Application Employability Skills" (2007). Faculty Publications. 31.
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Computer Application Employability Skills

Susan Evans Jennings, Stephen F. Austin State University

Dr. S. Ann Wilson, Stephen F. Austin State University
Dr. Jim Rucker, Fort Hays State University
Dr. Sandy Braathen, University of North Dakota

Introduction to 100 in the original survey at the original

Among the skills that employers have university) in Texas and the addition of two
desired of new employees over the years, other universities, one in Kansas and one in
computer literacy still ranks very highly. In fact, North Dakota, thus creating a sample of a cross
according to the National Association of section of the central United States. In this
Colleges and Employers’ (NACE) 2006 Job study the research question remains: What
Outlook survey, these skills include: (1) computer skills should we be teaching students
Communication skills (verbal and written); (2) to prepare them best to meet employers’ needs
Honesty/integrity; (3) Teamwork skills (works and expectations.
well with others); (4) Strong work ethic; (5)
Analytical skills; (6) Flexibility/adaptability; (7) Review of Related Literature
Interpersonal skills (relates well to others); Each year numerous companies send
(8) Motivation/Initiative; (9) Computer skills; recruiters to university campuses looking to hire
and (10) Detail-oriented. No definition for graduates. Since technology is continually
computer skills was given. The Michigan State transforming the world, colleges and universities
University’s Alumni Career Services lists the are beginning to recognize that graduates must
results of a 1995 Collegiate Employment develop and be able to demonstrate their
Research Institute employer survey that found competency in the use of technology. In fact, the
that due to automation and increased use of Educational Testing Service has coined a new
computer technologies, almost every job within designation for technology as the fourth basic
business, education, and government agencies literacy (Landgraf, 2005).
requires abundant computer work (What do Over a decade ago in the 1995-96 study
employers want from new hires, n.d.) This trend by Michigan State University (Scheetz, 1996) on
has continued to increase, not decrease, with recruiting trends, the synopsis of needed skills
new and emerging technologies. With the for acquiring a job included not being “cyber-
considerably increased availability of computer shy.” The report showed that employers wanted
usage, has the need for basic computer skills: to recruit those who had a command of popular
word processing, spreadsheets, and databases office technology software. Today’s employers
been replaced or augmented by the need for are still looking for much the same things. In
webpage design, programming, and desktop fact, Sharon Thomas Pratt, vice president of
publishing skills? What are the computer skills external relations and regulatory assurance for
today’s employers desire? DeVry Institute of Technology, Chicago, asserts,
“a background in technology is a strong skill set
Purpose that is required for employment in many
The purpose of this study is to extend a industries today, and will continue to become
pilot study that was conducted in 2005 designed increasingly important in the future.”
to determine current employers’ attitudes toward (Expanding Workforce Greets New Grads, 2005,
basic application software skills that employees April 16). The Chicago-based global
need. All universities wish their curriculum to outplacement firm of Challenger, Gray &
be as pertinent as possible. Therefore, this study Christmas, Inc. stresses that since technology is
extended the pilot survey to include a larger prevalent in almost every type of business, to
sample of employers (300 surveyed as opposed keep from being left behind, all graduates must

11
have technical skills regardless of their chosen The results were then broken down further to
field. (Expanding Workforce Greets New Grads, show within a general software category
2005, April 16). According to Hansen and whether or not a specific software package was
Hansen with Quintessential Skills, “Almost all indicated. Fang, Lee, and Koh (2005) reported
jobs now require some basic understanding of an “interesting finding,” in that recruiters rated
computer hardware and software, especially personal productivity skills such as use of
word processing, spreadsheets, and email.” operating systems and packaged software (e.g.,
Challenger (2003) indicates that as our nation’s spreadsheet, word processing) as more important
use of and dependency on technology increases, for new IS (information systems) hires than the
even more jobs will require computer skills. “traditional programming skills such as high
The fact that almost every occupation level and object oriented programming skills”
requires some degree of computer or technical (p. 63).
skills seems often to be overlooked. McCune
(1999) felt that education was “too separatist.” Methodology
She indicated that for those pursuing a liberal The researchers from each university in
arts degree, instruction in technical skills was Texas, Kansas, and North Dakota surveyed
not considered important. However, it appears employers who recruited on their university
today that more universities are informing campus. In Texas, the researchers received the
students of the computer skills for which recruiter database from the Office of Career
employers are looking. The Clemson University Services and selected those with email
career page, titled “Qualities Employers Desire addresses. A personalized email message was
in New College Graduates,” lists the need for developed indicating a web address for them to
“established word processing, spreadsheet, respond to on an online survey. Surveys were
database and presentation software skills” and tallied and results were graphed. In Kansas and
“excellent computer literacy.” Similarly, the North Dakota, the researchers mailed out their
Central Washington University career page, surveys via U.S. mail.
titled “Simply Having A Degree Is Not Enough Participants were asked to rank on a
To Get A Job In The Current Labor Market,” Likert-type scale the software skills needed by
lists the “ability to appropriately apply the employees they were recruiting. The scale
technology and effectively use office software ranged from a 10, indicating required for
and the web to accomplish job responsibilities” employment, to a 1, indicating that particular
as a need for today’s graduates. Due to the fact software knowledge was not beneficial for job
that businesses and organizations are relying performance. The software programs included
more and more on the extensive use of on the survey were: Microsoft Word, Microsoft
information technology, Virginia’s George Excel, Microsoft Access, Microsoft PowerPoint,
Mason University has developed an innovative Microsoft Internet Explorer/Netscape Navigator,
and popular undergraduate degree program to Corel WordPerfect, Microsoft FrontPage,
give students information technology skills that Macromedia Dreamweaver, Macromedia Flash,
they can use to make sound business decisions Macromedia Fireworks, Instant
(Ascoine, 2006). Messenger/Virtual Team Environment, Adobe
In a 10-month study (January 2004 – Photoshop, and Java Programming.
October 2004) conducted by the Canadian
government using the Toronto Star, The Globe, Findings
and the Toronto Sun, data was obtained on the Responses for the participating
technical skills required by employers employers included 22 from Kansas, 44 from
advertising job positions. Results of their study North Dakota, and 50 from Texas. There was no
showed how many ads specified a particular attempt to target particular employers or types of
type of software proficiency such as: office businesses. However, all employers were those
suite, spreadsheet, word processing, database, who have recruited on the university campuses.
and also software such as drafting, multimedia, The employers were from a variety of business
presentation, and other specialized software. types, which included manufacturing, service,

12
food service, hotel/hospitality, education, When expanded to include “Useful for
government, distribution, medical, other Performing Job” software knowledge with the
financial, banking, accounting, law enforcement, “Required” software knowledge, the number for
and other. The breakdown in percentage is Microsoft Word rises to a combined average of
shown in Figure 1 below. 99% followed by Microsoft Excel with a
In addressing the research question, combined average of 98%. Closely following at
“What computer skills should we be teaching 94% each are Microsoft PowerPoint and
students to prepare them best to meet employers’ Microsoft Internet Explorer/Netscape Navigator
needs and expectations,” it was clear from the (see Figure 3).
responses that Microsoft Word and Excel are the These survey results correspond closely
most widely “required” software applications for to the recommendations found at a job search
the employers who recruit on these university website on basic computer user skills. At this
campuses with a combined average of 83 and About.com site, information is provided that
82% respectively. Both North Dakota and indicates, “many employers consider Microsoft
Texas had the highest percentage requiring Office skills to be among the basics.” It was
Microsoft Word, while Kansas had the highest also interesting to note that following the
percentage requiring Microsoft Excel. When Microsoft Office Suite of programs, the next
looking at the breakdown of industry highest scoring computer application desired by
representatives who completed the surveys, employers was the use of Instant Messenger or
Kansas was more heavily weighted in the other forms of Virtual Team Environment.
accounting area, which could explain this Several software applications were not
difference. As shown in the following chart, all considered “useful” or even needed at all by a
of the Microsoft applications were highly large number of the companies included in this
desired by employers recruiting in all three study. More than 50% of the companies
states (see Figure 2). surveyed indicated that Corel WordPerfect,
The other categories included “Needed Microsoft FrontPage, and Adobe Photoshop fell
or Useful” and “Not Needed or Useful.” The into this category. Macromedia Dreamweaver,
breakdown of the other categories by states is Macromedia Flash, Macromedia Fireworks, and
shown in the following table. Java Programming were not needed by more
than sixty percent of respondents (see Figure 4).
Not Needed or
Needed or Useful Useful
Conclusions and Recommendations
ND KS TX ND KS TX Though some regional differences were
Word 7% 18% 22% 0% 0% 3% encountered, overwhelmingly the need for
Excel 7% 14% 27% 2% 0% 3% proficiency in the Microsoft Suite is alive and
Access 32% 36% 63% 9% 18% 24% well. Colleges and universities need to examine
Power-
Point 27% 36% 46% 2% 0% 17%
their current curriculum to ensure it is providing
I/E 11% 18% 33% 5% 9% 3%
their business students with the knowledge
Word- needed for students to be successful in their
Perfect 39% 27% 39% 50% 68% 56% careers—specifically, the first five applications
Front-
Page 36% 32% 46% 55% 64% 51%
listed in Figure 3.
Dream- Though there will always be those who
weaver 39% 27% 39% 57% 68% 61% try to boycott the “Microsoft Empire,” unless
Flash 41% 32% 36% 55% 64% 61% those boycotters can “build a better mousetrap,”
Fireworks 32% 27% 32% 61% 68% 68% it appears that the Microsoft trap is here to stay
IM 45% 36% 34% 41% 50% 53% for a while. Other considerations that must be
Photo- made are the levels of proficiency needed to
shop 39% 36% 36% 50% 59% 54%
meet the needs of employers. The next step in
Java 36% 27% 34% 59% 68% 63%
determining these proficiency and resulting
curricula needs might be further studied to
determine what features of the various programs

13
are most important for students to master.
Though most universities do not want to be Hansen, R. S. & Hansen, K. (n.d./2005). What
considered technical or trade schools, at what do employers really want? Top skills and
point does the lack of advanced technical skills values employers seek from job-seekers.
prevent students from being able to present their Quintessential Skills. Retrieved September
knowledge in the best possible light? This is a 2, 2005, from
question each university must answer for itself. http://www.quintcareers.com/job_
skills_values.html
References
Ascoine, L. (2006, November 9). Technology Landgraf, K. M.. (2005). The fourth basic
skills for the business class: GMU program literacy: Technology. Educational Testing
tailors IT major for business students. Service. Retrieved February 13, 2005 from
Retrieved December 15, 2006 from the http://www.ets.org/ictliteracy
eSchool Newsonline site:
http://www.eschoolnews.com/news/showsto McCune, J. C. (1999, June). The call for
ry.cfm?ArticleID=6711 techsavvy employees. Management Review,
88 (6), 10-12.
Canadian Government. (2005, January)
Newspaper ad vacancy survey. Human National Association of Colleges and
Resources and Skills Development Canada. Employers. (2006). Retrieved September
Retrieved September 10, 2005. 10, 2006, from
http://www.hrsdc.gc.ca/asp/gateway.asp?hr= http://www.naceweb.org/press/quick.htm
/en/on/offices/toronto/
workwaves/skills.shtml&hs=on0 Scheetz, L. P. (1996, December). Recruiting
trends 1995-96. A study of 527 businesses,
Central Washington University (n.d./2005). industries, and governmental agencies
Simply having a degree is not enough to get employing new college graduates. Michigan
a job in the current labor market. Retrieved State University, East Lansing. Collegiate
September 4, 2005, from Employment Research Institute.
http://www.cwu.edu/~career/skills_for_succ
ess.html What do employers want from new hires? (n.d.)
Retrieved January 24, 2007, from
Challenger, J. A. (2003, September-October). http://www.msualum.com/careers/What%20
The coming labor shortage. The Futurist. Do%20Employers%20Want%20From%20N
24-28. ew%20Hires.htm.

Clemson University. (n.d./2005). Career guide.

Retrieved September 4, 2005, from
http://clemson.placementmanual.com/jobsea
rch/jobsearch-03.html

Expanding Workforce Greets New Grads (2005,

April 16).USA Today. 133.

Fang, X., Lee, S., & Koh, S. (2005). Transition

of knowledge/skills requirement for entry-
level professionals: An exploratory study
based on recruiters' perception. Journal of
Computer Information Systems, 46(1), 58-
70. Retrieved Sunday, September 10, 2006
from the Business Source Premier database.

14
Types of Businesses Surveyed

Distribution
Other Manufacturing
8%
6% 10%
Medical
Service
4%
18%
Other Financial
8%
Food Service
Banking
8%
2%
Accounting Hotel/Hospitality
11% 5%
Government Education
Law Enforcement
10% 2%
8%

Figure 1

Required for Employment

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%
Percentage

North Dakota
50% Kansas
Texas
40%

30%

20%

10%

0%
er
m ge

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t
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d

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p
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oi

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o

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ea
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Software Applications

Figure 2

15
Required or Useful for Performing Job
99% 98%
100% 94% 94%
90% 83%
80%
70%
Percentage

60%
52%
50% 44% 46%
42% 40%
38% 37%
40% 34%
30%
20%
10%
0%
el t t or t e r sh rks nt p ng
ord xc es
s oin i ga ec ag ve
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ft W ft E cc erP av erf ntP ea wo on t os
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Software Applications

Figure 3

Not Needed or Useful for Performing Job

70% 66%
62% 63%
58% 60%
60% 56% 54%
48%
50%
Percentage

40%

30%

20% 17%

10% 6% 6%
1% 2%
0%
I/ E

IM

a
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s
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Figure 4

16