Career Development
Center
  Occidental College
 1600 Campus Road,
Coons 109
 Los Angeles, CA
 90041-3314

 Email: careers@oxy.edu
 Phone: 323.259.2623
 Fax: 323.341.4900

Career Guides to Assist in the Job Search

76 Skills You Will Develop Earning Your Degree

Liberal arts skills are defined here as transferable, functional abilities required in many different problem-solving and task-oriented situations. They are performance abilities that can be acquired through informal life experiences or formal education and training. Liberal arts skills are interdisciplinary abilities involving many areas of human development, such as cognitive, affective, social, psychological and moral development.

Here are nine clusters of related skills that are generally recognized as essential in a variety of careers and other activities.

Information management skills
Ability to…
sort data and objects
compile and rank information
apply information creatively to specific problems or tasks
synthesize facts, concepts, and principles
understand and use organizing principles
evaluate information against appropriate standards

Design and planning skills
Ability to…
identify alternative courses of action
set realistic goals
follow through with a plan or decision
manage time effectively
predict future trends and patterns
accommodate multiple demands for commitment of time, energy, and resources
assess needs
make and keep a schedule
set priorities

Research and investigation skills
Ability to…
use a variety of sources of information
apply a variety of methods to test the validity of data
identify problems and needs
design an experiment, plan, or model that systematically defines a problem
formulate questions relevant to clarifying a particular problem, topic, or issue
identify information sources appropriate to special needs or problems

Communication skills
Ability to…
listen with objectivity and paraphrase the content of a message
use various forms and styles of written communication
speak effectively to individuals and groups
use media formats to present ideas 
express one's needs, wants, opinions, and preferences without violating the rights of others
identify and communicate value judgments effectively
describe objects or events with a minimum amount of factual errors
convey a positive self-image to others

Human relations and interpersonal skills
Ability to…
keep a group "on track" and moving toward the achievement of common goals
maintain group cooperation and support
delegate tasks and responsibilities
interact effectively with peers, superiors, and subordinates
express one's feelings appropriately
understand the feelings of others
use argumentation techniques to persuade others
make commitments to people
be willing to take risks
teach a skill, concept, or principle to others
analyze behavior of self and others in group situations
demonstrate effective social behavior in a variety of settings and under different circumstances
work under time and environmental pressures

Critical thinking skills
Ability to…
identify quickly and accurately the critical issues when making a decision or solving a problem
identify a general principle that explains related experiences or factual data
define the parameters of a problem
identify reasonable criteria for assessing the value or appropriateness of an action or behavior
adapt one's concepts and behavior to changing conventions and norms
apply appropriate criteria to strategies and action plans
take given premises and reason their conclusion
create innovative solutions to complex problems
analyze the interrelationships of events and ideas from several perspectives

Management and administration skills
Ability to…
analyze tasks
identify people who can contribute to the solution of a problem or task
identify resource materials useful in the solution of a problem
delegate responsibility for task completion
motivate and lead people
organize people and tasks to achieve specific goals

Valuing skills
Ability to…
assess a course of action in terms of its long-range effects on the general human welfare
make decisions that will maximize both individuals and collective good
appreciate the contributions of art, literature, science, and technology to contemporary society
identify one's own values
assess one's values in relation to important life decisions

Personal/career development and learning skills
Ability to...
analyze and learn from experience: both one's own and the experience of others
relate the skills developed in one environment (e.g., school) to the requirements of another environment (e.g., work)
match knowledge about one's own characteristics and abilities to information about job or career opportunities
identify, describe, and assess the relative importance of one's needs, values, interests, strengths, and weaknesses
develop personal growth goals that are motivating
identify and describe skills acquired through formal education and general life experience
identify one's strengths and weaknesses
accept and learn from negative criticism
persist with a project when faced with failure unless it is clear that the project cannot be carried out or is not worth the time or effort needed to complete it
recognize when a project cannot be carried out or is not worth the time or effort required to complete it
generate trust and confidence in others
take risks
accept the consequences of one's actions
market oneself to prospective employers

 

Last updated:08/02/07