Abstract:

In order to succeed in the changing and dynamic work environments, current job candidates need to be flexible, self-motivated, and adaptable. In fact, recent studies have documented the increasing need for university graduates to have soft skills—such as following instructions, working as a team, having initiative and problem-solving skills, communicating in a timely manner and appropriately with others, having empathy, and having emotional intelligence—in order to be effective and successful in the workplace.

While universities have prepared students to be knowledgeable and competent in various disciplines and professions, internship supervisors and employers in the work world are increasingly pointing out that university students and recent graduates do not have the soft skills to be work ready. Hence, higher education plays a pivotal role in ensuring that graduates are equipped with these important skills before they are launched into the work world.

This study investigated the extent to which undergraduate students in a public, state university in the United States have the soft skills in order to be functional and effective in the work place. Students in this study (Human Development and Family Studies program) have to complete a one semester, 180-hours, 15-week internship. The study examined the supervisors’ assessments of the student interns’ soft skills, and the extent to which they have these vital skills other than the knowledge and technical know-how.

An online survey was administered to 65 internship supervisors, and three focus group sessions were conducted as a follow-up of the survey. Findings include the disconnect between the realities of everyday demands of the work world and the student interns’ assumptions and expectations, and student interns’ strengths and weaknesses related to cohort life experiences. This presentation will include a summarized discussion of how the findings inform curriculum re-design and evaluation, and interestingly, the strengthening of partnership with supervisors for future internship placements.

Keywords:

University student, work ready, soft skills.