The economy is showing signs of life, but unemployment remains high, with millions of Americans out of work or underemployed. Many people have turned to community-college vocational programs to strengthen their skills and better prepare themselves to return to the work force. But while this pays off for many, too many others receive little return on their additional education and training.

What if every person who wanted a job had one? The entire United States may never be able to reach a 0% unemployment rate. But on a smaller scale, it's not entirely unheard of.

This report describes the findings of a nationally representative sample of 444 recent college graduates from the class of 2006 through 2011. The purpose of this study is to understand how recent college graduates are faring in the workforce, specifically looking at those individuals who graduated before and during the difficult labor market caused by the Great Recession.

As this year's class enters the strongest job market for graduates since 2008, students with backgrounds in computer science, engineering and accounting are in high demand, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers.

One in two new graduates is jobless or underemployed. This conclusion from a recently completed Associated Press study is eye-popping. Released just as many high school seniors are finalizing decisions on where to attend college, and as college graduation ceremonies take place across this country, the headline begs for a response from university presidents such as myself.

U-6, total unemployed, plus all marginally attached workers, plus total employed part time for economic reasons, as a percent of the civilian labor force plus all marginally attached workers.

RT @GuardianData: Highest % of men claiming benefits: Birmingham Ladywood, 15.7% http://t.co/B84txVSJ #unemployment

unemployment rates for people like you

Though the labor market is now headed in the right direction, the prospects for young high school and college graduates remain grim. This briefing paper examines the labor market that confronts young graduates who are not enrolled in additional schooling--specifically, high school graduates age 17–20 and college graduates age 21–24.

Beginning this month, high school students across the country will be making choices about the colleges they will attend for the next two or four years. Whether they are choosing from among elite private colleges and flagship public universities, or from a list of open-access state four-year and community colleges, how will they and their families make those decisions?

Have you heard the media mantra about college graduates? "Jobless, underemployed and deep in debt." Do you know any young people or adults who ask "Why bother?" when thinking about college? These concerns are significant, timely, and worth more thoughtful consideration.

Big names in government and business met in Atlanta Monday to search for a solution to what they're calling the "skills gap" -- the lack of skilled workers for job openings waiting to be filled.

Jordan Gilliam, 22, started his job search when a lot of his fellow members of the Class of 2012 were still settling in for their senior years on campus.