Real-World Skills

College Skills in the Real World 

The American Association of Colleges and Universities conducted a 2021 study on the desirability and competitiveness of college graduates in the workplace.  In this article, the Association examines which college-acquired experiences and skills best predicate employee excellence. 

At least 90% of employers view the following skills as “very important” or “somewhat important” to the workplace: teamwork 

• critical thinking
• data analysis and interpretation 
• applying learning in real-world settings 
• digital literacy 

Many of these are related to social awareness and the practical application of knowledge.  This is reinforced by the fact that 90% of employers are either “much more” or “somewhat more” likely to consider applicants with apprenticeship or internship experience.  In other words, extra-curricular engagement with academic material is crucial to developing real-world habits. 

Similarly, 55% viewed self-awareness as “very important”.  88% of employers reported that they are either somewhat (47%) or much (41%) more likely to consider candidates who’ve had experience in community settings with people from diverse backgrounds.  

Why Humanities? 

In a 2018 study by the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (AAA&S), college graduates with bachelor's in humanities have been found to fill occupations very broadly, just like their STEM counterparts.  Despite public negative perceptions of college degrees, steadily declining liberal arts degree laureates, and the common stereotypes about the “useless” liberal arts degree (Gallup, 2018), the study found humanities graduates to be successfully obtaining career-focused jobs.  The survey found that humanities graduates occupied in administrative support and offices, in management, and in sales positions (AAA&S, 2018).  For a report on industry projections for occupations related to area and language studies, view our Career Planning page.  

It is clear that interpersonal skills, including awareness of oneself and others, are highly desirable in the workplace.  The widespread demand for intercultural skills is becoming increasingly clear, not just in global education experiences but also in the workplace (AACU, 2021). 

Developing Your Skills for the Workplace

What Ohio State Offers 

In order to prepare students for a rapidly globalizing world, Ohio State University has been conducting ongoing research on the most effective methods for the development of intercultural competence.  In order to test the effectiveness of these new learning outcomes, the research team applied them to various humanities courses and measured growth from the beginning to the end of the course, finding an increase in competency. 

With the introduction of new Arts and Sciences GE requirements for the ‘21-‘22 school year, students will be engaging with global citizenship, diversity, and justice.  By standardizing these learning outcomes, the University hopes to give its graduates their best chance at success in life.  As these are topics to be lived and not just taught, the University also facilitates and encourages extracurricular involvement with intercultural studies, including study abroad and Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL). 

Confirming the academic benefits, the Institute of International Education conducted a study finding a correlation between undergraduate study abroad and higher graduation rates and GPA (IIE, 2020). This result was especially present in underrepresented populations, in which minority students who study abroad performed significantly better than those who didn’t. This increase in performance was also notably greater than the increase in performance between non-minorities who studied abroad and those who didn’t. Though all groups benefited, this discrepancy highlights the importance of equity and accessibility. 

For this reason, Ohio State provides many resources, including need-based and merit-based scholarships, advising appointments, and info sessions, for all students looking to study abroad. For more information, visit the Office of International Studies Global Education page. You may also contact the office at globaledspecialist@osu.edu or 614-292-6101.  

Integrating International Experiences into Your Resume and Applications

The American Field Service (AFS) Intercultural Program recommends tips and strategies for participants looking to integrate their international experiences into their resumes and transfer them into the workplace.

Highlighting your Experience

Before writing your essay or takeaways, be sure to reflect on your international experience and its specific value to your life. Think about what was extraordinary about your experience, what you learned, what surprised you, and who you met. Finally, ask yourself how these experiences will impact your future. The AFS has compiled a list of questions to help guide young professionals. 

Study Abroad Outcomes

The AFS organizes study abroad experiences under these four outcomes:

• Increased intercultural awareness and communication skills
• Enhanced worldview and global perspective
• Personal growth and development
• A greater understanding of home culture

Through reflecting on your study abroad experiences, you may describe how you have improved in these ways. All of these traits are highly valuable in the workplace.

Tying it all Together: Application Essays and CVs

Though you may have a lot to share with the application committee, keeping in mind the criteria and specificity of the prompt is very important. When looking at all of your essays, decide which question may best prompt you to discuss an international experience of yours.

For example, the following questions are good chances to discuss your international travel:

• What skills did you use to overcome any barriers?
• How did your problem resolve?
• How would you apply what you learned to ensure success at school?

When writing a resume, highlight the skills you've gained abroad more than the experiences. Some highly-sought skills you may discuss on a resume are the following:

• problem-solving
• adaptability
• communication
• independence
• leadership

Example of a Reflection on International Experiences