UNMEASURABLE: DEVELOPING SOFT SKILLS

IN HIGHER ED.

Presented By: Senora Miller-Logan, Assistant Director and Golda Sharpe, Project Coordinator

Memphis In May Student Affairs Conference 2014

Fostering Student Success: Developing Strategies For Student Recruitment, Retention, and Graduation

The University Of Mississippi, Luckyday Success Program

CONTACT INFORMATION

• SENORA MILLER-LOGAN • E-MAIL: SENORALM@OLEMISS.EDU

• GOLDA SHARPE • E-MAIL: GMSHARPE@OLEMISS.EDU

WWW.LUCKYDAYSCHOLARSHIP.OLEMISS.EDU

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW

• INTRODUCTIONS/CONTACT INFORMATION

• PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• THE NEED FOR SOFT SKILLS

• HOW ARE WE PERFORMING?

• THE LUCKYDAY APPROACH

• KEY TAKEAWAYS

• DOOR PRIZES

PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

• UNDERSTAND THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF THE WORKFORCE AND HOW BEST TO PREPARE STUDENTS FOR WORKING IN THE 21ST CENTURY

• THE LUCKYDAY APPROACH TO SOFT SKILL DEVELOPMENT

70% OF THE TIME

PEOPLE OF AVERAGE INTELLIGENCE OUTPERFORM

PEOPLE

WITH THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF INTELLIGENCE

FACT

EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE ACCOUNTS FOR

58% OF JOB PERFORMANCE

6

Source: Talent Smart http://www.emotionalintelligence.net/

FACT

What are employability skills?

Self-management

Thinking and solving

Working together

Understanding business

Communicating

Degree/Certificate

Operating Machinery

Speaking a foreign language

Typing Speed

Filing

7

Soft Skills Hard Skills

Changes in the Workplace

1960s Present Day

Higher Education’s Responsibility

Source: https://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf

Written and oral communication skills

Adaptability

Managing multiple priorities

Making decisions

Problem solving skillsSource: https://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf

Students Lack

Source: https://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf

Top Implications

Liberal arts & career development are intrinsically linked

Increase support of experimental opportunities

Approach career development as career exploration

Luckyday Scholarship Luckyday Retreat Peer Mentor Groups PLAN Session Study Hall

Development of Soft

Skills

http://www.resume-now.com/

Resume Development

http://www.interviewacademy.org/create-cover-letter/

Cover Letter Development

Mock Interviews

Career Fair

All Majors Career Day Educator Recruitment

Day Pharmacy Recruitment

Day Engineering Career

Day Insurance and Risk

Management Career Day

Internship Fair Diversity Fair

University Resources

Etiquette Dinner

CRITICAL QUESTIONS FOR STUDENTS

Work Ethic

Problem Solving

Flexibility

Working under

pressure

Team player

Self-confidenc

e

Communication

Time-manageme

nt

Constructive

Criticism

Key Takeaways

Students are responsible for the development of their soft skills. The University makes them aware of this necessity and provides resources and guidance.

We know that certain characteristics in business will remain constant; therefore, it’s imperative students are aware of the importance of soft skill development.

Thank You for Your Attention.

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