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What are some human skills I should start building now to succeed in college and in a future career ?
What are some human skills I should start building now to succeed in college and in a future career?
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11 answers
Marlene Galvan
performance and accountability
7
Answers
Chandler, Arizona
Updated
Marlene’s Answer
Time Management is crucial in anything you do. If your on time your late always show up 5-10 minutes early.
Stress Management learning how to manage with stress and what works best for you. Whether is taking a walk or just talking to your best friend find what works for you.
Stress Management learning how to manage with stress and what works best for you. Whether is taking a walk or just talking to your best friend find what works for you.
Je'Todd (JT) Smith, MBA, PMP®
Sr. Program and Project Manager
4
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Je'Todd (JT)’s Answer
That's a fantastic question! Focusing on "human skills" is one of the best decisions you can make right now. As AI and automation take over more routine tasks, these skills will help you become a successful student, a great team player, and a future leader.
1. Deep Listening & Empathy
- Listen to understand, not just to reply. Try to see things from others' perspectives and show empathy.
2. Constructive Feedback (Giving and Receiving)
- Learn to give feedback that is clear, helpful, and kind. Also, accept feedback without getting upset. This will help you grow and improve your interactions with others.
3. Creative Problem Solving
- Tackle problems with fresh ideas and connect different concepts to find new solutions. It's not just about the right answer, but finding a better one.
1. Deep Listening & Empathy
- Listen to understand, not just to reply. Try to see things from others' perspectives and show empathy.
2. Constructive Feedback (Giving and Receiving)
- Learn to give feedback that is clear, helpful, and kind. Also, accept feedback without getting upset. This will help you grow and improve your interactions with others.
3. Creative Problem Solving
- Tackle problems with fresh ideas and connect different concepts to find new solutions. It's not just about the right answer, but finding a better one.
Destiny Hankerson
Athlete, Artist, and Writer
33
Answers
East Orange, New Jersey
Updated
Destiny’s Answer
You have many great choices for building human skills to succeed in college and your future career. I'm glad you asked this question, because I still believe there's value in developing human skills, even in our technological age.
First, consider developing your communication skills, as another professional mentioned. No matter what kind of job you seek, communication skills are so important. If you can communicate clearly and effectively with people, you'll be a step ahead, and people will enjoy working with you!
Second, build your creative skills. Creativity is still important, even though AI exists. There's value in human creativity, and if you show you can come up with original and interesting ideas, people will really appreciate that. And I think it won't be hard for you to do, because I believe we all have our own version of creativity within us.
Third, learn to work with others and develop teamwork skills. You'll often be working in a team during your career years, so you should learn how to work effectively with team members. As you get better with teamwork, you can offer your skills while letting others have room to contribute, too!
Finally, learn how to take care of yourself and not overwork. This is something I'm still learning myself, but this is a very valuable human skill to have. Self-care will prevent burnout and give you time to refresh!
Thanks for the great question, and I hope my answer was helpful for you. Good luck with your career!
First, consider developing your communication skills, as another professional mentioned. No matter what kind of job you seek, communication skills are so important. If you can communicate clearly and effectively with people, you'll be a step ahead, and people will enjoy working with you!
Second, build your creative skills. Creativity is still important, even though AI exists. There's value in human creativity, and if you show you can come up with original and interesting ideas, people will really appreciate that. And I think it won't be hard for you to do, because I believe we all have our own version of creativity within us.
Third, learn to work with others and develop teamwork skills. You'll often be working in a team during your career years, so you should learn how to work effectively with team members. As you get better with teamwork, you can offer your skills while letting others have room to contribute, too!
Finally, learn how to take care of yourself and not overwork. This is something I'm still learning myself, but this is a very valuable human skill to have. Self-care will prevent burnout and give you time to refresh!
Thanks for the great question, and I hope my answer was helpful for you. Good luck with your career!
Paul Goetzinger MPA
Academic and Career Advisor | Freelance Writer | TRIO Program Director
1060
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
In my opinion, Teamwork is something that needs to be developed for achieving success in the future.
Individualism, I believe is somewhat overrated, and much more can be accomplished by an organization when no one is concerned about who gets the credit for the successes, which are achieved.
Teamwork, also emphasizes that you have a genuine consideration for others. An eagerness to sacrifice personal interests of glory for the welfare of all.
There are many individuals, in our society, who believe that they can make things happen by themselves. I agree that some amazing ideas and progress has been brought on by a single individual, and the fact is it would be worthless if they did not share it. But, when I look at how they implemented that idea, it becomes clear that it was put into action with the help of a team. Teamwork, is the way to make big things happen in society.
Teamwork involves many characteristics, which includes selflessness. Basically, an eagerness to sacrifice personal glory or gain for the greater good, namely, the welfare and success of your organization, your team, and your group.
Success for an organization means finding an individual, who can make the team great, rather than someone who is just a great . This is a major component of the teamwork philosophy.
I prize individuals, who are eager to sacrifice for the common good of an organization, and this is a soft skill that will eventually lead to the future achievement of goals and objectives., and will subsequently benefit society.
Individualism, I believe is somewhat overrated, and much more can be accomplished by an organization when no one is concerned about who gets the credit for the successes, which are achieved.
Teamwork, also emphasizes that you have a genuine consideration for others. An eagerness to sacrifice personal interests of glory for the welfare of all.
There are many individuals, in our society, who believe that they can make things happen by themselves. I agree that some amazing ideas and progress has been brought on by a single individual, and the fact is it would be worthless if they did not share it. But, when I look at how they implemented that idea, it becomes clear that it was put into action with the help of a team. Teamwork, is the way to make big things happen in society.
Teamwork involves many characteristics, which includes selflessness. Basically, an eagerness to sacrifice personal glory or gain for the greater good, namely, the welfare and success of your organization, your team, and your group.
Success for an organization means finding an individual, who can make the team great, rather than someone who is just a great . This is a major component of the teamwork philosophy.
I prize individuals, who are eager to sacrifice for the common good of an organization, and this is a soft skill that will eventually lead to the future achievement of goals and objectives., and will subsequently benefit society.
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hello,
It is great to hear that you are looking to gain some human skills in order to prepare for college and a career. This is very important to focus on as it will be able to let you connect more with other people and yourself.
Firstly, take care of yourself mentally and physically. You very well might be eating snacks and staying up late during college, but do make sure to have some veggies, get sleep, and make time for things outside of school and work. It is easy to forget how important these things are because of how much you might studying. But, if they are taken care of as best as you can, then it will make the school work load much easier.
Start getting used to arriving to places early. It’s easy to be late, but showing up on time/early shows a lot about a person.
Learn how to converse. This might sound silly, but it can take some getting used to speaking “professionally” so to speak. A good way you can go about practicing this is getting a job. Most jobs, specially service jobs, you have to talk to people which can be good practice. One example is like a waiter, which can be good to practice conversation and other practical skills like task management, speed, etc.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
It is great to hear that you are looking to gain some human skills in order to prepare for college and a career. This is very important to focus on as it will be able to let you connect more with other people and yourself.
Firstly, take care of yourself mentally and physically. You very well might be eating snacks and staying up late during college, but do make sure to have some veggies, get sleep, and make time for things outside of school and work. It is easy to forget how important these things are because of how much you might studying. But, if they are taken care of as best as you can, then it will make the school work load much easier.
Start getting used to arriving to places early. It’s easy to be late, but showing up on time/early shows a lot about a person.
Learn how to converse. This might sound silly, but it can take some getting used to speaking “professionally” so to speak. A good way you can go about practicing this is getting a job. Most jobs, specially service jobs, you have to talk to people which can be good practice. One example is like a waiter, which can be good to practice conversation and other practical skills like task management, speed, etc.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello CVOH,
I think there are a lot of different skills that are very important in life. There are many to explain but the most important is the discipline that you have to do well in school and throughout your life. Discipline can help you because it will remind you of your goals, who you are as a person and can guide you to being successful in any career field. I will also write a couple of more things down below.
5 important skills in any aspect of school/life:
-Discipline
-Motivation
-Critical thinking skills
-Communication skills
-Time management
These skills take time and take a lot of patience in order to achieve. We are all human and sometimes things are not perfect but it is important to focus on these aspects when it comes to your life. The need to grow and learn will set you apart from other people who might have more advantages but might not have the skills listed above. Best of luck to you on your life journey!
I think there are a lot of different skills that are very important in life. There are many to explain but the most important is the discipline that you have to do well in school and throughout your life. Discipline can help you because it will remind you of your goals, who you are as a person and can guide you to being successful in any career field. I will also write a couple of more things down below.
5 important skills in any aspect of school/life:
-Discipline
-Motivation
-Critical thinking skills
-Communication skills
-Time management
These skills take time and take a lot of patience in order to achieve. We are all human and sometimes things are not perfect but it is important to focus on these aspects when it comes to your life. The need to grow and learn will set you apart from other people who might have more advantages but might not have the skills listed above. Best of luck to you on your life journey!
Ehab Thabit
Marketing
5
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Ehab’s Answer
Focus on becoming a strong communicator by making your ideas clear and actionable. Think about your brand. How do you want others to see you: as a hard worker, a supportive team player, or someone who is always eager to learn. Act consistently with this image, even when no one is watching, so that it is genuine. Build relationships by reaching out to professionals in your desired field and ask if they can mentor you. Their guidance can help you navigate your career path effectively.
Andrew Fan
Deals Advisory Associate
13
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Andrew’s Answer
As someone who has recently transitions from being a college student to working in a full time career, here are some of the skills that I have noticed myself using a lot more in my job:
1. Communicate well - Be clear when you write, speak with confidence, and really listen to others.
2. Work with others/be a good teammate - Be dependable, respectful, and open to feedback when in a team
3. Think critically - ask "why," look at problems from different angles, and come up with solutions
4. Stay flexible - learn to handle change, bounce back from setbacks, and manage stress in healthy ways.
5. manage your time - plan ahead, stay organized, and don't leave things to the last minute.
1. Communicate well - Be clear when you write, speak with confidence, and really listen to others.
2. Work with others/be a good teammate - Be dependable, respectful, and open to feedback when in a team
3. Think critically - ask "why," look at problems from different angles, and come up with solutions
4. Stay flexible - learn to handle change, bounce back from setbacks, and manage stress in healthy ways.
5. manage your time - plan ahead, stay organized, and don't leave things to the last minute.
Sarah Naa Odarkai Lamptey
1
Answer
Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Ghana
Updated
Sarah Naa Odarkai’s Answer
I believe that mastering the concept of emotional intelligence can help you in this regard. What do i mean by this? This is simply knowing how to conduct yourself around people of different backgrounds and personalities. Mastering how to respond to each individual in a way that does not generate tension or a toxic environment. You can achieve this by treating each individual with respect and learning to tolerate others no matter how you disagree with them. I hope this helps.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2430
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a good question indeed.
Below are some soft skills that are vital for studying and working:
1. Communication
2. Time Management
3. Critical Thinking
4. Team Work
5. Emotional Intelligence
Hope this helps!
Below are some soft skills that are vital for studying and working:
1. Communication
2. Time Management
3. Critical Thinking
4. Team Work
5. Emotional Intelligence
Hope this helps!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
833
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
Networking and connecting with others. Being able to have conversations with others while communicating your value will serve you well in virtually any career.
It can be uncomfortable, but the more you put yourself out there the better.
It can be uncomfortable, but the more you put yourself out there the better.