Developing Essential Skills for Higher Education and Workplace

The essay discusses the importance of developing essential skills for higher education and the workplace. It covers skills such as problem-solving, creative thinking, teamwork, leadership, and positive attitude, and their significance in the workplace. The essay also provides personal experiences and suggestions for students to enhance their skills.

Study Skills for Higher
Education
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
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Assessment 1....................................................................................................................................3
Choose four of the suggestions mentioned above and discuss them in more detail...............3
Personal experience: Are you happy with your CV? Why/ why not?....................................3
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
Introduction......................................................................................................................................4
Assessment 2....................................................................................................................................4
Choose eight skills which students develop at university and discuss why they are important
in the workplace.....................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................4
2

Introduction
The outbreak of Covid- 19 created many challenges and affected individuals ability to get
jobs. In this there are number of strategies such as taking use of digital technology and
communication networks through which they can understand the current trends prevailing in the
industry (Jackson and Wilton, 2017). The report discusses the suggestions which is essential for
a student to boost CV, if they didn’t have any work experience. Along with this report discuss on
my own expectations with my CV.
Assessment 1
Choose four of the suggestions mentioned above and discuss them in more detail.
The sudden outbreak of COVID-19 not only created adverse impact on organisations but it
also created challenges in front of individuals to have a successful professional growth or career.
There are number of challenging experiences faced by individual such as cancelling work
experience and reduction in the number of labours in the workplace which leave thousands of
students to chase a shrinking number of opportunities. This created aggressive form of
competition in the labour market in which it is essential for a person to boost CV, if they can’t
get work experience. The outbreak of COVID-19 created dramatic competition in which students
needs to enhance their skills if they did not have any work experience. In this they needs to
emphasise on certain aspects such as they need to understand the importance of skill audit, as it
allows them clearly have an insight of this skills which is needed for them to efficiency of their
career (Jackson, Sibson and Riebe, 2014). It also allows students to plan to how to land their
dream job. Skill audit is essential as it helps in determining the gap in the skill set which allow to
implement certain strategies to improve and develop areas of weaknesses from the given
suggestions. The one of the most important strategy mentioned above is to start with skill audit.
This aspect plays important role as it helps in determining the current gap which effectively
saves time in future as this make students to only emphasise on those skill which is really needed
to grab job opportunities (Jackson and Wilton, 2017). In addition to this the other efficient
suggestion is to get experience online. During or after the outbreak of COVID-19 the
importance of digital technology and virtual internship has gained its height (Feldman, 2021).
Remote work experience is also being embraced by many organisations around the world, along
with this government of various nations are also making organization to have a hybrid work
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culture to overcome from uncertain challenges in the future. In this students with the help of
having experience online can have use of virtual internship which helps them to boost their CV
(Bowen and Pennaforte, 2017). With the help of virtual internship students can enhance their
effectiveness in the competitive work environment, internship encourage students to work on
real projects with the help of virtual tool and technology. This also plays essential role for
students to have professional training online such as workplace skills in low cost. In addition to
this from the above mentioned suggestion the other most efficient one that students can have to
connect with peers. In this they need to use their communication skills to enhance their career
network this plays important role through which they can have more accessibility and can
understand the industry knowledge (Naslund, Marsch and Bartels, 2016). With the help of
conversation with pears they can identify the companies who are in need and can contact with
career department. This will help them to find work in less time as compared to the long process.
Furthermore the other strategy that will help in boosting the CV, if students did not have
any work experience is to make their own experience. In this they can undertake use of
performing a role for local business this will help them to be problem solving and enhance their
experience effectively. From the above analysis with the help of taking use of these suggestions a
person or student can boost their CV, if they didn’t get work experience these will help them to
understand the industry trends and develop their skills accordingly (Cheng and Chau, 2016).
Personal experience: Are you happy with your CV? Why/ why not?
As per my personal experience I am relatively unhappy with my CV for which I am working
to develop the skill gap with the help of virtual training and online courses. Along with this I
taking use of assistance with my seniors and peers to gain feedback on the things which is
essential for me to perform better in the workplace environment. However I possess various
skills such as communication, collaboration and teamwork etc. In this modern competitive world
it is essential for an individual to be highly skilled and efficient in order to stand out from others.
This makes me to be unhappy with my current CV as to get professional opportunities in
multinational organizations I need to work on my skills in more effective way.
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Conclusion
According to the above-mentioned analysis it has been concluded that irrespective of the
fact that Covid- 19 created many challenges in front of individuals to grab working
opportunities. In which with the help of taking use of skill such as connecting with peers with
great communication network, taking use of building own experiences, undertaking advantage of
online experience one can enhance the current level of ability which will help them to grab more
opportunities in future.
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References
Bowen, T. and Pennaforte, A., 2017. The impact of digital communication technologies and new
remote-working cultures on the socialization and work-readiness of individuals in WIL
programs. In Work-integrated learning in the 21st century (Vol. 32, pp. 99-112).
Emerald Publishing Limited.
Cheng, G. and Chau, J., 2016. Exploring the relationships between learning styles, online
participation, learning achievement and course satisfaction: An empirical study of a
blended learning course. British journal of educational technology, 47(2), pp.257-278.
Feldman, E., 2021. Virtual internships during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond. New
Horizons in Adult Education and Human Resource Development, 33(2), p.46.
Jackson, D. and Wilton, N., 2017. Perceived employability among undergraduates and the
importance of career self-management, work experience and individual
characteristics. Higher Education Research & Development, 36(4), pp.747-762.
Jackson, D., Sibson, R. and Riebe, L., 2014. Undergraduate perceptions of the development of
team-working skills. Education+ Training.
Naslund, J.A., Aschbrenner, K.A., Marsch, L.A. and Bartels, S.J., 2016. The future of mental
health care: peer-to-peer support and social media. Epidemiology and psychiatric
sciences, 25(2), pp.113-122.
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Introduction
To increase self-worth in personal and professional life phases one has to be equipped with
number of skills for which it is essential for them to develop those skills at initial level such as
university. There are number of skills such as communication, listening, problem solving etc
which increases individual worth in the workplace environment (Phan, Ngu and Yeung, 2017).
The present discussion in the essay has been conducted on the skill which is a central for student
to develop and university level along with their importance in the workplace.
Assessment 2
Choose eight skills which students develop at university and discuss why they are important in
the workplace.
There are various skills which is essential for students to develop in university level. All
the skills have their own importance in the workplace which transforms students to be a good
professional person. There are various skills which is essential for students to develop in
university level all the skills have their own importance in the workplace which transforms
students to be a highly professional individual. Mentioned below there are some certain skills
which is essential for students to develop along with their importance in the workplace.
Problem solving
Problem solving skill plays important role in both professional and personal life. With the
help of this an individual can assure positive solution of the complex problems. Problem solving
mainly means undertaking choice effectively (Swieck, Farrell and Shaffer, 2020). In addition to
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this it has been underlined that problem solving skill increases confidence among students and
make them more challenging. This skill also facilitate students to be more calculated while
evaluating risk and develop their situational and social awareness. Furthermore, problem solving
skill is essential for students to learn as with the help of this they can manage time and can
develop patience on the same hand. The skill is important for students to develop at university, as
it is important in both personal and professional life skill. A good problem solver in the
workplace overcome the complex and challenging situations with patience in no time. Problem
solving also facilitate students to find solution with greater ease and flexibility. In todays time
period problem solving skill help students to navigate variety of situations that might come up at
work. In addition to this problem solving will also help in controlling situation when things
might get out of the hand. This skill is essential for students in the workplace, as it will help them
to come up with the effective solutions for different scenarios. This skill also allow them to make
improvement in the decision making ability and increase their confidence to solve situational
problems in effective manner.
Creative thinking
Thinking creative is one of the greatest importance as a significantly led to the expansion
of imagination. Students needs to be creative in their approach in every aspect, as it helps them
to have proper understanding of the world in a better way (Voges, Chen and Reber, 2022).
Creativity thinking skill is inclusive of visual reading, lateral thinking, out of the box thinking,
artistic creativity, copywriting, divergent, thinking problem solving and analytical mind. With
the help of different type of creativity thinking techniques students can undertake risk taking
ability in effective manner. Furthermore it has been underlined that creativity thinking skill is
important for students in the workplace, as it allows them to face challenges in effective manner.
It also promote curiosity among them and facilitate them towards idea generation which helps
organization to solve problems in a unique way. In addition to this it has been underlined that
creativity thinking skill also allows students to solve problems in more unique and innovative
manner. Creativity opens an individual mind, in today’s time period creativity is important for
the workplace as consumers needs and wants dynamically changing. In this creativity thinking
skill broaden students prospective and help them to overcome prejudice through which they can
contribute effectively in organization growth. Decades of research associate creativity with the
intrinsic motivation to learn, when a students are focused on a creative goal they duly become
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more absorbed in their learning and more driven to acquire new skills. Creativity is important
skill which is essential for students to learn in the university as it allow them to view and solve
problems with more innovative and openly technique. In addition to this creativity also opens the
mind. Thus it has been underlined that it is important to learn this skill it helps in encouraging
productivity in the workplace in unique level.
Teamwork
Teamwork teaches social skills such as relationship building, effective speaking, active
listening and more. When individual work as a team they learn a lesson and perform their roles
under the supervision of a leader. This makes a person to be an effective listener and treat
respectfully others decisions. Teamwork is working effectively with a group and sharing a
common purpose the characteristics of a great team worker is inclusive of self-control,
supportive, a good listener etc (Ikromjonovich, 2022). Team working is important in the
workplace as it encourage confidence and cooperative skill. With help of this skill individuals
assures to get along with others. Teamwork is important scale which is needed at every stage of a
person career working together will significantly help introducing more work. It is essential for
students to understand the importance of unity and team working as in higher level of work
people will have to work together in order to fulfil goals and objectives in a particular time. In
addition to this this is one of the most important skill which is essential for students to develop at
university and discuss as it is one of the most important skill in workplace which help them to
work together with several people to achieve a common goal.
Leadership skills
For students it is essential them to have decisions to make whether they are follower or a
leader. Students learn to have leadership skill and reflects them through their actions. This skill is
important for students to learn at university as it encourage them to be a good leader. This skill is
important in the workplace as a good leader have tendency to be coordinated, cooperative and
encourage productivity and profitability of organization (Hogan, Adlof and Alonzo, 2014). With
the help of this skill students can encourage other people and can learn many soft skill which
help them to grow they professional and personal ability in their career.
Positive attitude
In modern workplace environment positive attitude plays an important and crucial role. In the
world which is filled with many negative element one has to win hearts with a positive approach
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to retain consumers treat others with respect and embrace equality, one has to be with a positive
attitude students must learn to have positive attitude starting from teachers to friend, as it helps
them to be a positive person (Brownell, 2015). In the workplace environment positive skills
allow students to maintain friendly atmosphere with everyone and it further encourage them to
develop a positive workplace environment which encourage growth and productivity. Positive
attitude helps students to be enthusiastic, confident, respectable, cooperative, respectful and with
a sense of humour.
Listening skills
A good listener enjoys the highest degree of respect in society. It is essential for an
individual to learn the skill in order to respect others perception viewpoint as less ideas. It is
essential for students to learn the skill in the university as it allows them to be a good listener in
the workplace which help them to be productive (Britton, Leger and Stephenson, 2017).
Listening skills plays crucial role as it’s not only helps in encouraging problem based thinking
but also allow them to be respectful towards others.
Digital-age literacy
In workplace environment whether they are in academics or professional workplace an
individual needs to have knowledge and understanding to digital age technology as it makes
them to enhance their work efficiency ,complete task and accomplish goals. Digital skills is
crucial for students in both university and workplace level, as it allow them to adopt changes in
effective manner (Donia, O'Neill and Brutus, 2018). In addition to this it has been underlined
that to effectively conduct roles and responsibilities in the ever changing business environment it
is important for students to learn this skill at university as it helps them to performed very well in
the workplace. Nearly all business organisations in today’s business environment this skills plays
crucial role as it helps employee to embrace information and digital literacy effectively. With the
help of learning digital skill students can be able to analyse, manage, access, evaluate integrate
and create information with the help of digital technologies that further increase productivity and
performance rate.
Communication skill
A good communication skills helps in building strong relationship which plays crucial role
in the workplace and encourage sharing ideas thoughts and perception. With the help of good
communication skills students can be confident enough to face the challenges in day to day basis.
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It is essential for students to understand the importance of communication skill as these are vital
for academic as well as professional success (Hurwitz and Schmitt, 2020). Communication skills
is known to be key to a successful career. With the help of strong communication skill individual
can communicate with others and can make them properly understands personal thoughts and
perspective which helps in removing any form of misunderstandings. In today’s competitive
world communication skills is important as it helps in developing healthier and long lasting
relationship which helps in accomplishing work in more effective manner with less error. It has
been analysed that communication is the basis of any successful corporation. It is important skill
with students need to be developed at university as with the help of this they can present them
self in front of others. It has been analysed that be it a student or working professional,
communication skill is required for every individual as it allows them to effectively
communicate with others (Maji and Laha, 2020). With having strong communication skill one
can developed and ability to deal with humans in more effective manner which help an
individual or student to understand others perspective in an appropriate way.
All above skills plays important role which is essential for students to develop an university.
These skills plays important role in both professional and personal life phases as it allows
students to perform better. There are different skills such as problem solving, creativity,
teamwork, leadership, positive attitude, listening, digital age, literacy etc (Wedlake, Keyes and
Lothian, 2019). Communication skills which helps students to be highly productive and conduct
rules and responsibilities in the workplace in more effective manner.
Conclusion
According to the above mentioned analysis it has been concluded that with the help of
learning skills like problem solving, creative thinking, teamwork, positive attitude, listening
skills, digital skill, literacy skill, communication skill one can transform themselves in a highly
professional individual. This allow them to deal with challenging situation in effective manner in
the competitive business environment where there is an increase in labour turnover due to
number of reasons, a person with these skills can conduct roles and responsibilities in effective
manner and can assure higher growth.
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References
Britton, E., Simper, N., Leger, A. and Stephenson, J., 2017. Assessing teamwork in
undergraduate education: a measurement tool to evaluate individual teamwork
skills. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 42(3), pp.378-397.
Brownell, J., 2015. Listening: Attitudes, Principles, and Skills (Subscription). Routledge.
Donia, M.B., O'Neill, T.A. and Brutus, S., 2018. The longitudinal effects of peer feedback in the
development and transfer of student teamwork skills. Learning and Individual
Differences, 61, pp.87-98.
Hogan, T.P., Adlof, S.M. and Alonzo, C.N., 2014. On the importance of listening
comprehension. International journal of speech-language pathology, 16(3), pp.199-207.
Hurwitz, L.B. and Schmitt, K.L., 2020. Can children benefit from early internet exposure? Short-
and long-term links between internet use, digital skill, and academic
performance. Computers & Education, 146, p.103750.
Ikromjonovich, T.I., 2022. THE ROLE OF COMMUNICATION IN THE EDUCATION OF
INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER AND ITS PRACTICAL
IMPORTANCE. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SOCIAL SCIENCE &
INTERDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH ISSN: 2277-3630 Impact factor: 7.429, 11(06),
pp.107-111.
Maji, S.K. and Laha, A., 2020. State of digital economy in Asia-Pacific region: delineating the
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(IJPADA), 7(2), pp.38-54.
Phan, H.P., Ngu, B.H. and Yeung, A.S., 2017. Achieving optimal best: Instructional efficiency
and the use of cognitive load theory in mathematical problem solving. Educational
Psychology Review, 29(4), pp.667-692.
Swiecki, Z., Ruis, A.R., Farrell, C. and Shaffer, D.W., 2020. Assessing individual contributions
to collaborative problem solving: a network analysis approach. Computers in Human
Behavior, 104, p.105876.
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Voges, T.S., Jin, Y., Chen, X. and Reber, B., 2022. What drives a tough call: Determining the
importance of contingency factors and individual characteristics in communication
executives’ stance decision-making through a conjoint analysis. Public Relations
Review, 48(1), p.102141.
Wedlake, S., Keyes, D. and Lothian, K., 2019, March. Digital Skill Sets for Diverse Users: A
Comparison Framework for Curriculum and Competencies. In TPRC47: The 47th Research
Conference on Communication, Information and Internet Policy.
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