One of the many important purposes and outcomes of your college experience is gaining a combination of knowledge and skills. Two types of skills are essential to employment and to life: content skills and transferable skills. Content skills are intellectual, or “hard,” skills that you gain in your academic field. They include writing proficiency, computer literacy, and foreign language skills. Computer literacy is now a core skill like reading, writing, and mathematics. You can apply content skills to jobs in any field or occupation.

Certain types of employers will expect extensive knowledge in your academic major before they will consider hiring you; for example, to get a job in accounting, you must demonstrate knowledge of Quickbooks or Microsoft Excel’s advanced features. Employers will not train you in basic applications or knowledge related to your field, so remember to be prepared to speak about your qualifications during the interview process. Remember, for most college students it’s sufficient to have some fundamental knowledge. You will learn more on the job as you move from entry-level work to more advanced positions.

Transferable skills are skills that are general and apply to, or transfer to, a variety of settings. Transferable skills give you flexibility in your career planning, as they are valued by many employers and in various professions. You develop transferable skills through a variety of activities, such as volunteer work, studying abroad, involvement in a student professional organization or club, and the pursuit of hobbies or interests. All of these pursuits can build teamwork, leadership, interpersonal awareness, and effective communication abilities. Internships and career-related work are also valuable opportunities to practice these skills in the real world.

Some transferable skills are listed and described below in Table 15.2.

TABLE 15.2 Transferable Skills