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What are the top soft skills people look for in potential engineering or computer science internships?

I am going into college this year, and want to start applying to internships, what type of soft skills do people actually care about? What should I work to improve on the most, in general?

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Eric’s Answer

This usually varies based on the exact role or organization. Some soft skills are universal and apply to any job, whether technical or not. The interview that made the biggest impression on me in this area was for a role which required deep-technical expertise. During the technical interview I felt like I had done poorly because they had to give me a couple of hints along the way to solving a problem. At the end, the person leading that part said "I'm not as concerned about what you know, we can teach you. I care about how you think." This has made more and more sense to me as I've progressed within the company. In other words, the soft skills they cared about most were:
1. Critical thinking
2. Creative problem solving
3. Willingness to ask questions or say "I don't know, but I'll find out"
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Matt’s Answer

Communications! Many can learn to master engineering and computer skills. But unless you want to work with your head down at the grind stone all day, you need to be able to communicate both via quality writing and verbal communications. Seek opportunities to interact with people. Make presentations. Teach. Collect (listen) and document requirements.
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Theodore’s Answer

There are two key soft skills I've focused on during college and in my career, which I believe are crucial for computer science roles and greatly valued by hiring managers seeking interns or full-time employees.

1. Communication - While this may seem broad, it's vital for team success, especially in technical groups, to express your ideas clearly and effectively. I honed this skill in group projects by sharing tasks with teammates. You can also practice by explaining your work to someone who isn't technical. This helps you learn how to communicate with managers and senior leaders, ensuring your message is clear and your work's purpose is understood without diving into too many technical details.

2. Willingness to Learn - The tech world is always changing, and showing that you're eager to learn and open to not always having the answers is a valuable trait. I keep up with AI, tech advancements, and software news to stay informed. Being new to the field is an advantage because you get to learn the latest methods and technologies. Embrace this opportunity and always strive to expand your knowledge in this area.
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Alex’s Answer

What really helped me in my career was always going to interviews with a positive "can do" attitude. When you answer questions, try to share examples. It's not just about how well you did something, but how you got through challenges. Talk about times you asked for help, which shows you're good at working with others. Share moments when you took advice but realized it wasn't the right fit, showing you can think critically. It's one thing to list soft skills on a resume, but in an interview, these skills show who you are. Be ready with stories and examples to share.
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