Acquiring Necessary Skills

“Lifelong learning” is a useful phrase to know because we are constantly introduced to new technologies that enable us to grow personally and professionally. Those who know how to learn are in the best position to keep up and take advantage of changes in the workplace.

Think of all the information resources around you right now as a student. For example, there are likely libraries, the Internet, online learning platforms, student support services, career services—the list goes on. With these resources at your disposal, how can you best position yourself for lifelong learning and a strong, viable career? Which hard and soft skills are most important? What are employers really looking for?

The following list was inspired by the remarks of Mark Atwood, director of open-source engagement at Hewlett-Packard Enterprise, and contains excellent practical advice.

• Learn how to write clearly. Remember the three-step process of planning, writing, and revising.
• Learn how to speak effectively. Speak clearly on the phone, online, and in person. Try to leave out filler words (e.g. like, um, and you know).
• Be reachable. Publish your email address on your résumé, website, and/or social media profiles so that people know how to contact you.
• Learn about advances in technology. Even if you are not gearing up for a career in information technology, staying informed will make you more adaptable. This doesn’t have to be expensive, there are free and low-cost resources online.
• Build relationships within your community. Use tools like Meetup.com and search for clubs at local schools, libraries, and community centers. Seek out relevant, interesting people around the country and world by connecting on LinkedIn or other social media platforms. Learn about other professionals and their projects first by searching the Internet. The more you sound well-informed, curious, intelligent, and polite, the more likely you are to get a positive response.
• Attend conferences and events. This is a great way to network with people and meet them face-to-face or virtually.
• Find a project and make your mark. This can include anything from editing a Wikipedia page to answering questions on a discussion forum on a topic you are knowledgeable about personally or professionally. You may also volunteer virtually or in person for a project related to your career.
• Collaborate with people locally, regionally, nationally, and all over the world as time permits by attending virtual meetups, workshops, etc.
• Keep your LinkedIn profile and social media profiles up-to-date and professional. Aside from being findable, it’s also important that the language, tone, and content you post on social media align with the expectations and organizational cultures of the employers you want to impress. Your public social media presence represents your professional brand identity.
• Keep learning. Skills impress employers. Be sure to schedule time for learning and having fun!

Have a Formal Learning Plan

Schools, organizations, and employers offer a wide variety of ways to learn or enhance soft and hard skills. You are in a class now, for instance, so this demonstrates your specific intent toward formally improving skills. There are other formal ways to acquire skills:

Enroll in a Credit or Non-credit Class

Many know about four-year colleges with bachelor’s degrees and sometimes high costs, but there are also two-year colleges with associate degrees and lower costs. Most degree programs provide hard skills and some training in soft skills.

What many miss out on are the Continuing Education programs offered at colleges or community colleges. These are frequently very affordable and allow you to focus on an entry-level skill in a specific area.

Find an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can range from highly structured to relatively loosely structured. The employer may bring someone in from the outside or work with internal employees to blend coursework with on-the-job training. Often these programs end in full-time employment or advancement. Apprenticeships directly impact hard skills and as well as provide some training in soft skills.

Apply for an Internship

Internships are shorter-term working relationships frequently offered in conjunction with credit from a college. While internships may be paid or unpaid, they focus on giving the employee new skills.  Some of these arrangements are not well structured, so the employee must reach an agreement with the employer about the skills to be earned in exchange for their valuable labor. Internships directly impact hard skills and some training in soft skills.

If you already have a job and think it’s unlikely that you would have time for an internship to earn more academic credit, check with your college to see if they have any policies that would allow you to receive credit for work done at your current job. For example, ask if you can arrange to do a new project at work that qualifies for academic credit.

Meet with a Career Counselor

Meeting with a career counselor can provide valuable guidance, support, and resources to individuals seeking to navigate their career paths effectively, make informed decisions, and achieve their professional goals. If there is no career counselor available through your school, check to see if such services are offered through your local public library or other community or local government organizations.

After you’ve networked with enough people and built up your reputation, your peers can connect you with job openings that may be a good fit for your skills. You may also consider volunteer work, extracurricular activities, and career development in your field to improve your skills.