Skills

The ability to do something well can usually be improved with practice. You may bring different skills to different situations, and it is important to know both your assets and your weaknesses. Skills typically fall into three categories:

  1. Personal. Some skills come naturally or are learned through experience. Examples of these skills are honesty, punctuality, teamwork, self-motivation, and conflict management.
  2. Workplace. Some skills can be learned on the job; others are gained through training designed to increase your knowledge or expertise in a certain area. Examples include designing Web sites, bookkeeping, and providing customer service.
  3. Transferable. Some skills gained through your previous jobs or hobbies or through everyday life can be transferred to another job. Examples include planning events, motivating others, paying attention to detail, and organizing workspaces.

By identifying your skill set, you can turn your current skills into career possibilities. During the college years, build on your strengths and develop your weaker skills. Whether in or out of class, find ways to practice what you are good at and get help with what you need to improve.