Our students at Ivy Tech have appreciated the chance to identify and develop their soft skills through Am I Job Ready. We surveyed 126 students and they gave us the following feedback about the platform’s effectiveness in preparing students to use workforce readiness skills in the workplace:
- Critical thinking/problem solving: 90%
- Professionalism/work ethic: 92%
- Teamwork/collaboration: 89%
- Oral/written communications: 82%
The skills companies need
Students who participate in the workforce-readiness program can add it to their resumes, as employers have offered guaranteed interviews for students that have completed the program.
Northeastern University’s 3rd Innovation Imperative Poll, a national survey of C-Suite executives and business leaders, found that 87 percent contend that most college grads lack the most important skills needed to succeed: creativity and critical thinking. Let’s combat this for our students and for future generations.
For universities and faculty looking to integrate soft skills and career readiness into their portfolio of offerings, I recommend looking into PSI’s Am I Job Ready or a similar platform. Invite employers into the classroom to present to your students, which will give them the opportunity to interact with an employer and put the soft skills they’ve learned to the test. They may even land an interview in the process!
Mike Slocum joined Indiana INTERNnet as its executive director in November 2018 and leads efforts for this statewide not-for-profit organization managed by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. Indiana INTERNnet is the catalyst for expanding the creation and use of experiential learning opportunities as a key strategy in retaining Indiana’s top talent. Slocum connects students, employers, and educational institutions with the vision of helping every Hoosier student who wants an internship to have one.
Prior to joining Indiana INTERNnet, Slocum worked in a variety of capacities at Ivy Tech Community College, including advising, program management, and statewide guidance of campus career centers. His other roles in higher education, workforce development, and student success have been at Grand Valley State University and Ferris State University.
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