
Mar 24, 2021 - 09:10 PM
Soft skills that are most important in college include enthusiasm, ambition, motivation, commitment, preparation, interpersonal skills, setting goals and critical thinking, according to research from the American Psychological Association. Many of these are life skills that you can (and should) begin building up before you enter the professional workplace.
Additionally, LiveCareer found, communication skills in writing and public speaking, as well as displaying professionalism, would come in handy when breaking into the job market.
Employers have said students aren't learning soft skills in college to a sufficient degree. A majority of employers surveyed by Morning Consult agreed that finding recent college graduates who have the right qualifications in critical thinking, listening, communication and interpersonal skills is "very or somewhat difficult." This, the study points out, comes at a time when the rise of automation means "uniquely human" skills are more important than ever. College students who build these skills will rise about their peers.