Are you building the job skills employers want? According to a 2020 survey conducted by the National Association of College and Employers, employers are looking for job applicants with hands-on skills in teamwork (86%) and problem-solving (91%).
Colleges have tons of skill-building opportunities to help students launch successful careers—if you know where to look! Whether you have a specific career path in mind or are still looking for your passion, here are some real-world programs and work opportunities to look out for during your college search. For more ideas, check out the latest edition of Colleges That Create Futures.
College is an exciting time full of new experiences, learning opportunities, and a chance to lay the foundation for your future career. While the classes you take are important, there are other critical skills you should focus on developing during your college years that will benefit you professionally. Mastering certain abilities like teamwork, time management, and communication while in school will give you a leg up when it comes time to enter the job market.
Here are 12 essential skills all college students should work on strengthening:
Teamwork
The ability to collaborate and work productively with others is highly valued in most careers. As a college student, you can build teamwork skills by participating in group projects, joining student organizations, taking part in academic team competitions like business case competitions, and working part-time jobs with coworkers. Look for opportunities to practice communication, compromise, delegating responsibilities, resolving conflicts, and leading teams Future employers will be looking for candidates who can handle team environments
Global Thinking
In our interconnected world having a global mindset is a huge asset. Try taking courses related to global studies and foreign languages to expand your cultural awareness. Study abroad if you have the chance to immerse yourself in a different country. Follow international current events. Join student groups that have an international focus. The more you can understand and appreciate different cultures, perspectives, and values the better you will be able to collaborate across borders and adjust to diverse work settings.
Time Management
Between classes, extracurriculars, and your social life, college involves juggling many demands on your time. Practice managing your schedule efficiently by using calendar apps, to-do lists, and other organizational tools. Set daily goals and prioritize tasks. Avoid procrastination and learn to work steadily rather than waiting until the last minute. Disciplined time management habits will help you meet deadlines in college and get more done in future jobs.
Digital Literacy
Employers want workers with solid technology skills. Develop computer proficiency in popular software programs like Microsoft Office. Learn to use databases, data analysis tools, graphic design apps, and other digital platforms commonly used in your desired industry. Take a coding class. Keep up with social media trends. Increase your typing speed. Contribute to online forums or blogs to build your digital presence. Tech-related abilities will help you thrive in school and the modern workplace.
Verbal Communication
Sharpening your public speaking and interpersonal communication skills will make you more confident interacting with professors, peers, and eventually bosses and colleagues. Take seminars that involve presentations so you can get comfortable speaking in front of groups. Practice active listening and thoughtful questioning when conversing with others. Consider joining the debate team to strengthen your ability to articulate ideas. Solid verbal skills allow you to express yourself clearly and connect better with people.
Written Communication
Developing excellent writing abilities is another must. Make sure you refine your writing style and learn proper grammar, syntax, diction, etc. through English courses. Know how to write professional communications like emails, cover letters, and reports. Build an online portfolio showcasing writing samples from classwork. Learn how to customize tone and wording based on the audience and purpose. Strong writing is a key asset for academics and business roles.
Creativity
While STEM skills are extremely valuable, don’t neglect your creativity. Take arts or design electives. Join clubs related to visual arts, music, drama, poetry, fiction-writing, etc. Experiment with creative hobbies in your free time. Brainstorming exercises can help you get comfortable thinking outside the box. Creativity allows you to problem-solve in innovative ways, which can give you an edge.
Networking
Building your network starts early. Attend career fairs and industry events on campus. Join professional associations like the American Marketing Association as a student member. Connect with speakers who visit your classes. Maintain relationships with professors who may be able to recommend you one day. Connect with alumni at your university. Having a robust network provides informational interviews, internship opportunities, job referrals, and more.
Leadership
While any involvement in student organizations helps build leadership skills, try especially hard to take on leadership roles like being a club officer, team captain, resident advisor, orientation leader, or peer mentor. Lead group assignments and projects in class. Spearhead a fundraising campaign or new student group. Look for chances to practice effective delegation, consensus-building, public speaking, goal-setting, and leading by example. Leadership experience is a huge resume booster.
Research
Brush up on your research abilities by completing thorough class projects that involve identifying credible sources, evaluating information critically, synthesizing data, and presenting analyses. Learn proper citation methods. If possible, try to assist a professor with their research. Develop intellectual curiosity and continuously expand your knowledge base. The research skills you hone in college will help you analyze problems, make data-driven decisions, and learn quickly in future jobs.
Perseverance
College involves coping with many challenges like difficult classes, conflicts with roommates, denied internship applications, or bad exam grades. Don’t give up when faced with setbacks. Develop resilience by focusing on what you can control, creating plans of action, and drawing on support systems. Handling adversity with perseverance and a positive attitude builds character and mental toughness valuable for career success.
Adaptability
The working world evolves constantly, requiring professionals to adapt. College is the perfect place to get comfortable with change. Seek new experiences outside your comfort zone. Take on new responsibilities and roles each year. Don’t be afraid to change majors if you discover a new path. Being agile, flexible, and willing to learn new skills on the fly will help you navigate workplace changes in the future.
As you progress through college, be very intentional about developing abilities like these that go beyond just academic coursework. Mastering this well-rounded mix of technical and soft skills will help set you up for a fulfilling and successful career after graduation. Take advantage of all the growth opportunities available during this formative life stage.
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Are you building the job skills employers want? According to a 2020 survey conducted by the National Association of College and Employers, employers are looking for job applicants with hands-on skills in teamwork (86%) and problem-solving (91%).
Colleges have tons of skill-building opportunities to help students launch successful careers—if you know where to look! Whether you have a specific career path in mind or are still looking for your passion, here are some real-world programs and work opportunities to look out for during your college search. For more ideas, check out the latest edition of Colleges That Create Futures.
| Hands-on Opportunity | Real Campus Example | |
|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Education | Find a college with a cooperative education program (co-op), where students alternate paid professional experiences with course work. Take classes for 1 semester, work full-time for 1 semester, and repeat. | Northeastern University puts students in 11,000 co-op placements last year! Co-op coordinators work with students one-on-one to prepare for co-op, find and apply to jobs, and reflect on the overall experience. |
| Externship | Set up an externship over spring break and get an introduction to potential career fields. Externships are temporary job-shadowing programs that last anywhere from an afternoon to a few weeks. | Students in the Babson College Externship Program, students spend 1–5 days observing professionals on the job during school breaks. The program is geared toward first-year students, so that they can start identifying their strengths and career interests early on. |
| Internship | Find an internship that works with your class schedule to get some on-the-job training. Internships give you the opportunity to work for a company or nonprofit organization for a limited amount of time, anywhere from a week to a semester. These can be paid or unpaid (though many schools have programs that will fund unpaid or low-paying internships) and allow interns to learn more about a field of interest while completing tasks or projects alongside real employees. | Every year, 500 students in the Field Work program at Vassar College engage in internships off campus, lending their talents to nonprofits, government agencies, human services organizations, and businesses. |
| Leadership training | Take a leadership training workshop to gain crucial skills like communication and teamwork. Leadership training can happen informally through your involvement with campus organizations, and many colleges have dedicated leadership centers to train and mentor students. |
Undergrads at Gettysburg College can work with Leadership Coaches to apply for positions on campus and beyond. Its all part of the process to earn a Leadership Certificate from the Garthwait Leadership Center. |
| Project | Develop your own passion project to hone skills that wow employers and grad schools. Projects are extended problem-solving activities that you can complete solo or in collaboration with a group. A few examples:
|
Through the Arizona State University Arts Venture Incubator, students can secure training, seed-funding, and one-on-one coaching to develop creative ventures for artists. |
| Research | Get involved with on-campus research: a scholarly or artistic activity that produces new knowledge. Research experiences can include working alongside your professor in a lab, writing a thesis, or completing a capstone project for your major. | At Binghamton University, Summer Scholars and Artists Fellowships fund student research and creative projects during the summer. |
| Service Learning | Get involved with service learning and make a real difference in your college community. Just like it sounds, service learning c ombines a learning experience with community service. Youll develop a greater understanding of community issues and gain skills in critical-thinking and collaboration. | Sharpe Community Scholars at William & Mary participate in local community projects that develop their problem-solving skills. |
| Student organizations | Join a campus club where you can have fun and develop leadership and teamwork experience along the way. Student organizations b ring together students with a common interest in anything from sustainability to investment banking. | Students on the Alma College Model UN team debate current issues, earning valuable skills in public speaking and negotiation. |
| Study Abroad | Take advantage of an opportunity to study, work, or intern in another country. Colleges with robust study abroad programs help facilitate these academic and cultural experiences. |
Business and engineering sophomores in the University of Pittsburgh Plus3 Program can study the smartphone industry in China, car manufacturing in Germany, or coffee production in Costa Rica. |
| Unique Facilities | Find the theater, lab, newsroom, or makerspace on campus that lets you build skills while doing something you love. | Trinity University has professional radio and HD TV stations on campus where students produce their own content. |
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10 life skills to learn before college! ✨
FAQ
What are college basic skills?
What skill should a student learn?
Do you learn life skills in college?
How to answer what is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
What skills should you learn in college?
Verbal communication, digital literacy and time management are just a few of the top skills employers may look for in new, entry-level hires. There are many opportunities to learn some valuable job skills in college, including studying abroad, working on cooperative projects and taking part in campus clubs.
What makes a good college student?
Showing commitment means following through on obligations, maintaining focus and effort, and engaging with academics and activities in deep and lasting ways. These are all attractive attributes that will help colleges see you as a person who can add to a college environment throughout the four years that you’re on campus.
How many life skills should you know before college?
43 Life Skills to Know Before College! There are a ton of practical life skills to know that aren’t often taught anymore. There are students, graduates, and young professionals–and even some adults–who have missed out on learning some basic life skills. (I’m guilty in this too, I don’t know how to sew or change a tire to save my life).
How do you learn hard skills?
You can learn hard skills through education and practical experience. Hard skills are provable and can be backed with a certification or by an expert. Examples of hard skills are proficiency in Excel or other software programs, data analysis, or fluency in a language. Soft skills tend to be innate abilities or personal traits.
