Career Readiness: Competencies for Successful Entrance into the Workforce

Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management.

For new college graduates, career readiness is key to ensuring successful entrance into the workforce. Career readiness is the foundation upon which a successful career is launched. Career readiness is, quite simply, the new career currency.

Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce

Career & Self Development
Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization.

Communication
Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

Critical Thinking
Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

Equity & Inclusion
Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that
actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism.

Leadership
Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

Professionalism
Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the
larger community and workplace.

Teamwork
Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

Technology
Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.

Courtesy of the National Association of Colleges and Employers.