Your college major matters. Here's why: Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) majors are less likely to be underemployed. For example, only 30 percent of engineering and computer science majors are underemployed.

However, with 47 percent of women underemployed compared to 37 percent of men, this is true for women regardless of major. Among mathematics majors, for instance, 32 percent of women are underemployed compared to 25 percent of men.

According to new research released today by Burning Glass Technologies and the Strada Institute for the Future of Work, a new research and development lab focused on transforming educational pathways for adult learners, college graduates who are underemployed in their first job are likely to still be underemployed up to 10 years later, and women are more likely to be caught in this trap than men.

“The first job out of college is a high-stakes decision with major long-term implications, particularly for women,” said Michelle Weise, Ph.D., chief innovation officer for Strada Institute for the Future of Work and senior vice president, workforce strategies for Strada Education Network.

“Men and women escape underemployment at similar rates, but this research points to the need to understand better why significantly higher percentages of women find themselves underemployed right out of the gate. Overall, this report highlights just how important it is to position graduates well in that first job, so they can make a successful transition to the world of work.”

The research draws on Burning Glass Technologies’ analysis of four million unique resumes, illuminating the actual career progression of American workers. The analysis also drew from federal data sets relating to degree completion, majors, and workers’ earnings.

“This research shows that underemployment can’t be treated as just a passing phase in a young person’s career,” said Matthew Sigelman, CEO of Burning Glass Technologies. “The study also shows how vital the transition from education to employment is for graduates, with real, long-term consequences in lost individual career potential and income as well as national economic growth.”

Key findings

“These findings contradict the popular narrative that underemployment and drift are built into the early phases of career discovery–like some sort of rite of passage for graduates,” said Weise. “We as educators, parents, and students can’t just assume a trajectory of success from the moment of graduation. The future of work is evolving. A key takeaway here is intentionality. Underemployment isn’t inevitable, but avoiding it and achieving positive outcomes will require more deliberate planning by both colleges and students.”

The full report is available at https://www.burning-glass.com/underemployment.