According to the Association of American Colleges and Universities, nearly 70% of employers say they value skills learned outside the classroom more than their degree. It means that you can spend time in graduate school developing various skills that will make you attractive to employers.
It is never too late to learn new skills - especially if those skills will help you succeed in your career. Grad school is the perfect time to pick up new abilities that will make you more marketable to employers and help you advance in your chosen field.
You can learn many transferable skills in grad school, but some are more useful than others. Here are ten of the most important ones:
1. Interpersonal Skills
Interpersonal skills are important in any profession but are especially valuable in healthcare, education, and business. In graduate school, you will have the opportunity to develop your interpersonal skills by interacting with classmates, professors, and other students. You can also take advantage of career development programs offered by your school or department.
2. Communication
Today's employers value employees who can communicate effectively in writing and person. Effective communication is essential in any profession. Whether you are writing a research paper or presenting your findings to a panel of experts, communicating clearly and concisely is essential. Also, as you advance in your career, you will likely be required to give speeches or lead presentations. If public speaking isn't your strong suit, it is time to work on it.
A general MBA can help you develop communication skills, while a more specific degree like public relations or marketing will give you the chance to hone those abilities even further. The degree can also teach you new cross-cultural communication or conflict resolution techniques.
3. Critical Thinking
Employers value employees who can think critically and solve problems quickly in today's rapidly changing world. In graduate school, you will be presented with a lot of new information and expected to analyze it and form your own opinions. Critical thinking is seeing all sides of an issue and making sound judgments. It is an essential skill in any profession but especially important in fields like law, medicine, and business.
To hone your critical thinking skills, look for a degree program emphasizing writing and analysis. Programs like law and business tend to emphasize critical thinking strongly, so they are a good choice if that is what you are looking for.
4. Research
Research skills are important in any profession but are especially valuable in medicine, science, and academia. In graduate school, you will be expected to conduct research and write papers on your findings. It means that you will need to know how to use a variety of research methods and how to write clearly and concisely about your findings.
5. Time Management
Employers value employees who can manage their time effectively in today's fast-paced world. In graduate school, you will be expected to juggle many different responsibilities, from attending classes and studying for exams to conducting research and writing papers. Time management is the ability to prioritize your tasks and ensure you are using your time efficiently.
6. Organizational Skills
Working full-time and taking care of family responsibilities while attending graduate school is possible, but it often involves juggling multiple competing priorities. Learning isn't the only thing you have to do. Time management and resource management are essential when it comes to achieving success in school.
Additionally, it is a critical ability that can help you succeed in any career, where a high volume of work, project due dates, and daily deadlines make it difficult to keep up. An interview and your entire career will benefit from your ability to stay disciplined.
7. Project Management
Project management is a valued skill in any profession, but it is imperative in fields like business, engineering, and the military. In graduate school, you will be able to develop your project management skills by taking on various roles in student organizations and participating in class projects. You can also take advantage of career development programs offered by your school or department.
8. Tolerance For Ambiguity
There will be times in your career when you will need to deal with ambiguity or situations where the outcome is uncertain. Tolerance for ambiguity is the ability to remain calm and constructive in these situations. In graduate school, you will have the opportunity to develop your tolerance for ambiguity by participating in class discussions and group projects. You can also take advantage of career development programs offered by your school or department.
9. Mental Flexibility
Mental flexibility is the ability to adapt to new situations and think creatively. In graduate school, you will have the opportunity to develop your cognitive flexibility by participating in class discussions and group projects. You can also take advantage of career development programs offered by your school or department. These programs will help you learn how to think creatively and adapt to new situations. Most importantly, they will help you develop the skills employers are looking for.
10. Social Media Savvy
Social media is a powerful tool that can be used for networking, marketing, and communication. There are many different social media platforms, each with unique features and purposes. In graduate school, you will have the opportunity to learn how to use social media to your advantage by participating in class discussions and group projects. You can also take advantage of career development programs offered by your school or department. These programs will help you learn how to use social media to your advantage.
The Bottom Line On Smart Skills Developed In Graduate School
Graduate school is a great way to develop the top 10 skills that employers value. These skills include research, time management, organizational, leadership, interpersonal, project management, tolerance for ambiguity, and mental flexibility. If you are considering a career in any of these fields, then grad school is a great way to get the skills you need.
These are just a few examples of the transferable skills you can learn in grad school. So if you are considering pursuing a career in any of these fields, grad school is a great way to get the skills you need.
