Education and Innovation Requirements for Design Thinking Jobs

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Abstract Design thinking is a problem-solving approach based on design theory, design-cognition, social constructivism, and reflection. Since business and industry are seeking employees with design thinking knowledge and skills in order to infuse products and services with innovation, the purpose of the study was to understand the educational qualifications and innovation skills related to design thinking that are sought by employers seeking undergraduate business majors. Content analysis of a nationwide dataset of LinkedIn job descriptions was performed to discover attributes such as educational level, years of required experience in design thinking, and type of bachelor’s degree sought. Findings showed an anomaly between the skills-first hiring trend and the results of the study which found that employers want hires to have a bachelor’s degree, although not necessarily require a business degree. Additionally, innovation skills are important to employers hiring employees for design thinking positions. Management programs need to make the case that they are prepared to teach innovation and other skills that help students obtain jobs in design thinking.

Department(s)

Business; Education; Graduate School

Publication Title

The CTE Journal

Volume

Volume 11

Issue

2

First Page

1

Last Page

13

Publication Date

10-3-2023

ISSN

ISSN 2327-0160

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