College-Bound Students Need These Skills

College-Bound Students Need These Skills

College-bound students can find great value in these skills that employers need when they are looking to hire.

All my winning scholarship secrets are revealed right here >>

Having a part-time job in high school is not only great for students who need to earn spending money, but also for the skills they may learn that can make them more attractive to employers after college graduation.  College Parenting Expert, Wendy David-Gaines, takes a close look at what skills employers need vs. those that recent college graduates are lacking by using the latest results in the CareerBuilder Survey. 

Finding a job that teaches and enhances what employers seek is a smart way to earn extra money AND prepare for future careers. 

Take a look at what employers want, what graduates are lacking, and Wendy’s suggestions for college-bound students as they seek employment during their summer and school breaks. 

Did you know that searching for college scholarships will help students become more employable?

8 SKILL-BUILDING JOB IDEAS

FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS

A CareerBuilder Survey about the job landscape for college grads demonstrates a great opportunity for the college-bound via working over school breaks. While the survey showed grads have the brightest employment outlook since 2007, it also pointed out some employers are still concerned these job applicants will lack certain skills necessary for the workplace. Teens can split time off from relaxing and refreshing to hone the soft skills employers continue to crave. Eight jobs are tailor-made for the college-bound to gain soft skills, maybe earn some extra money, and build a resume for future careers to impress employers.

The survey, conducted between February and March, “included a representative sample of 2,175 hiring managers and human resource professionals across industries and company sizes,” according to CareerBuilder. Respondents cited the following skills as lacking in recent graduates:

• Interpersonal or people skills: 52 percent
• Problem-solving skills: 46 percent
• Oral communication: 41 percent
• Leadership: 40 percent
• Written communication: 38 percent
• Teamwork: 37 percent
• Creative thinking: 36 percent
• Project management: 26 percent
• Research and analysis: 16 percent
• Math: 15 percent
• Computer and Technical: 13 percent

The following jobs address the skills noted in the survey. They also go beyond by developing a work ethic, time management, and self-marketing skills. Plus, the college-bound can end up with a list of future references.

1. Tutor – Depending on the subject taught and method used, teaching someone else skills students’ possess can show every single one employers want but are worried recent graduates won’t have. When deciding what field to tutor in, students can look to their expertise, talents, and abilities in academics, music, the arts, sports, and hobbies.
2. Scholarship Searcher – College experts describe searching for college scholarships as a part-time job so why not formalize the process? Finding and applying for scholarships can involve all the skills employers seek except teamwork. That can be added if parents join the effort, for example, by helping organize and keep track of deadlines. (Be sure to read:  College Scholarship Teamwork Makes the Dream Work)
3. Local Employee – As an employee of a local store, office or camp, students need to use all the skills employers most desire, depending on their job responsibilities. To find a job, network by asking guidance counselors and parents, look in local papers and walk into a favorite frequented place with a resume and a matching elevator speech.
4. Entrepreneur – Starting a business can display all the most sought-after skills in one fell swoop. From manual labor to crafting, students can try their hands at making and selling something.
5. Volunteer – Every community has needs and usually a lack of volunteers to meet them. Either by going solo and spearheading a project or joining an existing group, students can gain experience in all skill areas, depending on the tasks involved. (Find 30 volunteering opportunities for students in this post)
6. Intern – Paid or unpaid, learning while doing is a great opportunity to gain the skills employers want to see in their employees. Students should focus on internships in fields of interest.
7. Student – One of the best ways to gain skills employers want is to learn more. Either online or in a brick and mortar building, students can do the job of being a student to broaden and strengthen abilities.
8. Researcher – Depending on the undertaking, students assisting in or creating their own research project can perform the skills employers crave most. The research can be part of an internship or job, lead to a scholarship, or be part of a class assignment.