By Briana Outlaw/ reporter
NW Campus career services employees shared the importance behind having marketable skills and explained how it sets students apart as employees March 9.
“Students often feel like they are taking classes that are pointless, especially classes being taken in the first two years of college,” said Thomas Nguyen, student development coordinator.
However, these classes present a positive outlook when it comes to applying for a job. Marketable skills are exercised daily in classrooms, he said.
“Marketable skills are valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings including interpersonal, cognitive and applied skills areas,” Nguyen said.
The discussion showed students how to use the classroom as a way to improve assets that companies look for in employees. While most students focus on the importance of what will enhance their major, the other classes that are often viewed as “pointless” can provide character building, Nguyen said.
“These ‘pointless’ classes offer the ability to analyze and evaluate all aspects of an issue in order to form a judgment,” he said.
Employers want critical thinkers to recognize the differences between fluff and fact to keep the company from becoming neglectful of its audience.
“When students participate in class, these skills are an open invitation to learn hands on,” said Taylor Jensen, student development coordinator.
While in the workplace, emotions are often misconstrued through emails. Nonverbal skills are important, Nguyen said.
“Always know the ‘why’ before you initiate any communication,” he said. “Ask yourself, ‘What am I trying to accomplish?”’
Students who can think critically have a leg up on the competition. Nguyen shared a Harris Interactive survey that said fewer than half of employers felt students were equipped with solid problem-solving.
Employers are looking for candidates who are open-minded and show a willingness to learn new skills.
“You are always learning, and you want to be a better person by learning more,” said Justin Withem, career services administrative assistant.
Marketable skills should be highlighted on the resume through detailed examples of how they were used, Nguyen said.
“It is so important to articulate your marketable skills on your resume because this is what will help you get the interview,” he said.
TCC offers opportunities to practice skills in student organizations, honor societies, volunteer groups and classes.
“In all of the TCC courses here, it is required that the professor puts these marketable skills development in your curriculum,” Nguyen said.
TCC follows a core curriculum that develops marketable skills.
“A lot of classes will require you to make connections between a person and an idea,” Jensen said. “Having to do that on paper seems really awful now, but you will appreciate those skills later on when it’s time for a big-boy, big-girl job.”
A resume, cover letter and the interview process are all platforms to articulate skills.
“For me, my resume was standard, and I thought that it was good enough, but this showed me how to display my skills for future employers,” NE student Sam Ruiz said.
The resume consists of professional highlights, a skills summary and work experience. Cover letters are used to highlight these skills and to create a first impression to the company.
“The interview process is where you have to prove your marketable skills,” Jensen said.
