Career Ready Primer

CAREER READINESS COMPETENCIES

By: Mary Ellen Kuehl

Director, Career and Professional Development

Career Readiness Competencies are the critical skills you need in today’s workplace.

Employers are looking for Trinity Western University graduates to be “Career Ready”, that is, they want to recruit and hire students who can articulate their skills, talents, interests and strengths. How do you become “Career Ready”?  TWU offers many opportunities to develop these skills:  your coursework, student leadership, campus student employment, practicums, athletics, volunteering, etc.  Be able to identify these opportunities and get involved to help you prepare and succeed in the workplace.

 

ARE YOU CAREER READY AND DOES YOUR PORTFOLIO REFLECT IT?

 

Critical thinking

  • Identify relevant information and analyze data
  • Restrain emotions during analysis
  • Collaborate to develop and test possible solutions
  • Adopt multiple perspectives and distinguish between fact and opinion

Communications

  • Create and edit written reports
  • Adjust communications based on audience needs
  • Listen well and read body language
  • Articulate clearly and accurately when speaking and writing

 

Teamwork

  • Effectively communicate to define common goals
  • Reach consensus on processes and solutions
  • Work together to identify and utilize the strengths of each member

Technology

  • Value continuous learning
  • Be responsive to a variety of training formats
  • Demonstrate the ability to adapt to new and emerging technologies
  • Use technology ethically and efficiently to solve problems and accomplish goals.

Leadership

  • Manage projects from beginning to end
  • Define and clarify roles, objectives and processes
  • Coach others on performance improvement
  • Understand how to motivate others and delegate responsibilities

Professionalism

  • Demonstrate integrity, resilience, accountability and ethical behavior.
  • Take initiative, maintain effective work habits (prioritize, plan and manage work) to produce high quality results and project a professional presence.
  • Use social media responsibly

Career Management

  • Identify areas of professional growth
  • Navigate and explore job options
  • Take necessary steps to pursue and advocate for opportunities in the workplace

Global Perspective

  • Respect the viewpoints of those from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions and lifestyles to build collaborative relationships and communicate effectively.
  • Ability to appreciate, value, and learn from other cultures and perspectives to move beyond tolerance.
  • Understand one’s own biases and use that awareness to work to eliminate them.

More Portfolio Resources

Adapted from the Career Readiness materials developed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE)

Photo by 85Fifteen on Unsplash