10 Things You Should Have to Learn in School That Can Help You Succeed at Work

College and university students may not realize it in school, but the skills they develop during their academic years extend far beyond the classroom. Engaging with professors and lecturers, participating in group projects, and joining campus organizations are just a few examples of experiences that could have translated directly to the workplace, aiding in job searches.

How is this supposed to work?

Interacting with professors can be like the experience of communicating with a boss or company leader. Participating in group projects simulates collaborating on team projects in a professional setting. Joining on-campus organizations is akin to being part of industry trade associations or networking groups.

Steven Patchin, the director of career services at Michigan Technological University, and Melissa Wagner, career services advisor at Rasmussen University, highlight these college experiences as critical factors that can significantly enhance the college and university student's job prospects.

10 Things You Should Have to Learn in School That Can Help You Succeed at Work

1. How to Respond to Failure

Your response is critical, whether it's a failed project, a disappointing test score, an unsuccessful course, or an internship interview that didn't go as planned. According to Steven Patchin, learning to analyze, adapt, and improve after a setback is essential at every career stage. Successfully moving forward demonstrates resilience—a vital skill for every employee and highly valued by employers.

2. How to Utilize Available Resources

Think back to when you were a college freshman and needed to find the library, work with your resident advisor, understand the role of a teacher's assistant, know the best way to approach a professor or determine when to reach out to academic advisors or the career services centre.

Starting a new job is similar.

You'll need to locate essential places like the bathroom and break rooms, figure out who to contact for IT support, and identify team members you can rely on for help. Navigating new situations on the go is a skill you develop in school that seamlessly transitions to your professional life.

3. How to Step Outside Your Comfort Zone

As a student, you might reluctantly join a campus club, attend a networking event, or go to a party where you only know a few people. However, stepping out of your comfort zone often expands your network and boosts social confidence.

College and university students also venture into new subjects by taking electives outside their major, like a computer science major exploring an entry-level French class. They might live with a new roommate or in a dorm with unfamiliar faces.

Similarly, starting a new job involves joining a team of people you've never met and learning to collaborate effectively. Steven Patchin suggests, "Join a club with unfamiliar faces, volunteer for a leadership role in an organization, or take an elective in a subject you know nothing about. True personal and professional growth begins where your comfort zone ends. Companies seek individuals with this courage."

4. Networking Skills

When students enter a residential college, they leave behind their support network of family, high school friends, and teammates. They must build a new support system with friends, professors, TAs, and community members.

"Recruiters seek candidates who can easily relocate and successfully establish these new networks," says Patchin.

5. Communication Skills

According to Melissa Wagner, college and university students are constantly learning how to write professionally. They write emails to professors, carefully crafting them, much like they will for managers, clients, customers, prospects, and co-workers. Students also participate in class discussions, similar to team meetings in the workplace, and engage in group projects, where they are accountable for their roles and actions.

This directly translates to the workplace. "Students engage in debate and discussion, both written and verbal, and complete project work together, mirroring what will be required of them in the workforce," Wagner explains.

Steven Patchin agrees, noting, "The ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing develops throughout a student's entire collegiate experience."

Throughout college, students are consistently involved in projects, discussions, paper writing, and classroom scenarios that require them to analyze information, use logic, and apply critical thinking to find solutions. Employers highly value employees who can think analytically and solve problems effectively.

"Being able to identify and logically work through a problem objectively is one of the most important skills students must learn for success in school and their careers," says Wagner.

6. Critical Thinking Skills

Throughout college, students are consistently involved in projects, discussions, paper writing, and classroom scenarios that require them to analyze information, use logic, and apply critical thinking to find solutions. Employers highly value employees who can think analytically and solve problems effectively.

"Being able to identify and logically work through a problem objectively is one of the most important skills students must learn for success in school and their careers," says Wagner.

7. Ethics and Responsibility

By adhering to course and institution rules, such as attendance policies and conduct guidelines on behavior and plagiarism, college students learn to understand and apply ethical and professional standards.

"A person's character and ethical behavior are crucial to employers, as employees represent and extend the company's values," says Wagner.

8. Interacting with Diverse Backgrounds

Colleges and universities are wealthy, with students from various countries, ethnicities, religions, and cultures. Engaging in group projects, joining campus organizations, and participating in campus life alongside a diverse student body provides valuable learning experiences that translate to working in a diverse workforce.

Today's workforce is diverse, and employers seek employees who can fit into the company culture just as much as they want individuals with the right skills. In college, students will inevitably work on teams with people who have different opinions and beliefs. Learning to navigate these situations is crucial for workplace success.

"Exposure to diverse perspectives and the ability to collaborate empathetically in a team environment will make students well-rounded job seekers," says Wagner.

9. Information Literacy

In a world where information is abundant and rapidly accessible, the ability to locate, evaluate, and effectively use information in the proper context is crucial. According to Wagner, this skill is essential for students, as it underpins their ability to demonstrate an understanding of critical concepts through papers, discussions, and presentations. In the workplace, information and knowledge are applied to create reports, presentations, white papers, sales collateral, marketing materials, and more.

10. Digital Fluency

College and university students are adeptly trained in the digital realm through online classes, diverse software applications, and various digital resources like videos, ebooks, and virtual labs.

Employers seek individuals proficiently navigating and leveraging technology appropriately within different contexts. Every college student learns, utilizes, and applies technology, mirroring the essential skills demanded in today's workplace. Digital fluency is indispensable.

.......................................................... I hope you find this helpful?

Bonus Extra..... Career Development Plan Webinar is coming SOON