Abstract:

HEIs are facing huge challenges in providing contemporary and competitive curricula in IT specialties. Fast changes in technologies and employers’ requirements are the main factors in the IT sector for the education of students for professions that still don’t exist. Contemporary professional knowledge, the ability for fast adaptation, and long-life learning motivation are crucial for IT specialists. We carried out an inquiry between graduates of IT specialties Computer Science, Software Engineering, Informatics and Information Technologies in Business (bachelor programs) and Computer Science (master program) in the University of Ruse aiming to find out what are the most important transferable skills required for their job position and if they managed to obtain them during the education. The respondents’ answers are evaluated according to the type of company, employment, and taken position. We analyzed curricula of programs and proposed solutions for improvement of curricula and new approaches for extracurricular activities that can boost the development of the most important professional and soft skills.

Keywords:

Employability, transferable skills, IT education.