A student asked me: “Today many jobs require soft-skills but where do I learn those skills? Do I have to go to special school to learn them?"
Answer: You do not need to go to special school. Most “Soft skills” are often taught in college but you may not pay attention. Of course, there is no class called “Soft- skills” but many classes that you take can help you to develop these skills. For example, some college classes require students to give presentations or participate in group discussions. As presenter you will have to prepare for your talk in front of the class, you have to learn about the topic that you will present so you can talk about it confidentially. You will have to make sure that your presentation match the class level or interest. If it is too complicated, nobody will understand you. If it is too simple, they maybe bore and not pay attention. Basically you have to prepare and practice it several times to make sure that you feel comfortable on giving it. By doing that you are developing your soft-skill in “presentation”.
Although group discussion is a key activity in many college classes but some students do not like to participate. Many rarely ask questions or express their views but prefer to sit quiet. By not participate, they miss an opportunity to develop their own soft-skill. When participate in group discussion, first you must know the topic else you do not have anything to say. So you must learn about the topic then you articulate your thoughts and form an opinion based on what you understand. You can practice it by discuss your views with the group. You also develop your “Listening skill” by listen to others’ opinions. You also develop your “Convincing skill” by defending your view when other challenge your opinion. You develop your “Speaking skill” by explain clearly, simply and accurately your position to them. These are the basics of “Presentation skills”. The more you participate in class discussion, the more your confidence will grow and it will influence every aspects of your life and build your character.
College requires a lot of works. Students must read a lot of books and articles. They also have to prepare for homeworks, weekly tests, and exams. These will keep them very busy so they must learn how to structure their time in order to accomplish them. You develop “Organization skill” by set “Priority” which thing you must do first, which activity can be delayed until later. You also develop “Time management skills” by divide time for these activities and determine how much time you want to spend on each activity. “Organization and time management” are very important skills that can determine success or failure in college. They are also essential in life when you are working in the industry. As you manage your time, you also learn to organize your materials, your study methods, and your life in college. You will develop “Social skill” when you decide who do you want to study with, what kind of person who could help you , what type of team that you want to join.
Today, most college students do not work alone but in teams. This is not easy because in high schools many of you are taught to work by yourself as work in team is considered cheating. Many colleges now require students to study together or work on team projects so you must learn this skill. A key challenge for any team is to get everyone to work together and function as a team instead of going in separate directions. That is why develop a common goal where every team members agree and are working toward is the first activity. By doing that, you develop “goal setting skill” and “team building skill”. You also learn to develop roles and responsibilities for the team such as of team leader and team members and how these roles rotate each week so each member also have a chance to learn different roles. You learn how to work collaboratively with each others, help each team members, when to listen and when to speak your opinions. You also learn how to share information and understand group dynamic. Teamwork is an essential skill in life as you build your career after college too.
Spending four years in college could help you develop both the technical knowledge and soft-skills necessary to build your own career in life. There are so many things you could learn in college as you are developing your own ability but the time is short so please do not waste it. Although having good jobs is a dream of many students but some are relying on “The degree” than their own abilities. They do not know that a degree is not a guarantee but knowledge and skills are. No company would hire a person with a degree, but without knowledge and skills. However, some would hire people with skills even without a degree. “A degree” is the key to an “opportunity door” but you must have the ability to open the door and walk in. Without the ability, you just standing there with a key but let other to pass by and walk in. It is very frustrating to see an advertised great job opening but you do not meet the requirements.
Please remember that "A dream is just a dream but a good job is a dream with a plan and a schedule”. To achieve your dream, you must have a plan to acquire the needed knowledge and skills. You also only have a short schedule (four years) to achieve them. With a college degree and skills, you will have the access to a variety of jobs. With skills you will likely advance in your career and be successful in your chosen field.
Prof John Vu
Carnegie Mellon University
Original source: http://www.segvn.org/forum/mvnforum/viewthread_thread,1054
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