How your student can build professional skills outside the classroom
Many of the most in-demand skills right now are not technical skills. Employers are looking for candidates with interpersonal skills like creativity, adaptability, communication and problem solving. These skills are valuable and can translate across many job industries. Here are a few ways your student can start developing these skills in addition to the technical skills in their field of study.
Check out LinkedIn Learning
CU students have free access to LinkedIn Learning. This platform has hundreds of short courses on building a variety of non-technical skills, including communication, teamwork, problem solving and leadership.
If your student isn’t sure where to start when it comes to building skills, encourage them to browse job postings for positions that interest them. They can take note of the skills or qualifications that employers are looking for, and see if there are LinkedIn Learning courses on developing those skills.
Gain experience
How your student gets involved on campus can help them gain experience for their resume and build non-technical skills. Encourage your student to:
- Join a student organization. They can browse BuffConnect or connect the Center for Student Involvement. If they are already involved with a student organization, encourage them to consider taking on a leadership role next semester.
- Look into the Journey Leader, CU Student Ambassador and CU GOLD programs. All of these programs can help your student develop leadership skills and gain experience for their resume.
- Consider volunteering, internships and part-time jobs for hands-on experience and developing skills. Even during uncertain times, there are still many companies hiring right now.
However your student chooses to get involved, it can help to keep a journal about their experiences and note how they are developing non-technical skills. For example, your student could write about how they are developing communication skills by facilitating meetings or improving their organizational skills by planning events. Their journal can help them recall information and provide specific examples when speaking with potential employers.
Meet with a career development advisor
Career development advisors love to talk with students about their future goals and offer advice for how to achieve them. Career Services is open this summer for virtual visits via Zoom, phone or LiveChat on the Career Services website Monday–Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn more about virtual appointments and drop-in hours.