CCM is dedicated to supporting the success of our students, not only by providing them with an advanced understanding of their field of study, but also by encouraging the development of competencies and soft skills that are in high demand.
The Skills for Success:
Definition: The ability to effectively and efficiently convey and receive information, both formally and informally, using verbal, non-verbal and writing skills amongst various stakeholders.
Skills examples include:
- Sales abilities
- Public speaking
- Presentation mastery (proper use of PowerPoint, Prezi, etc.)
- Speaking well (clear diction, professional)
- Writing business correspondence
- Professional email etiquette
- Phone etiquette
- Customer service
- Active listening
- Understanding body language
- Art of storytelling
- Identifying communication barriers
- Understanding your communication style and that of others
- Elevator speech
- Effective interviewing
- Negotiation skills
- Learning to be an assertive communicator but not a complainer
Definition: The ability to envision and employ analysis, interpretation and reason using information and data through cognitive processes.
Skills examples include:
- Critical thinking
- Analytical thinking
- Problem solving
- Goal setting
- Decision making
- Communicating meaning; not just data
- Understanding qualitative data
- Understanding quantitative data
- Strategic planning
- Reading comprehension
Definition: The ability to understand, appreciate, respect and learn from the complex social, economic, cultural and political nature of diverse peoples and their societies, and build meaningful connections and interrelationships.
Skills examples include:
- Awareness of otherness (gender, race, religion, age, disabilities, nationality, lifestyle, etc.)
- Multiculturalism
- Inclusion
- Community change
- Volunteerism
- Civic responsibility
- Curiosity about local, regional, national and global current events
- Cross-cultural competence (ability to discern and account for one’s own and other’s world views)
Definition: The ability to develop personal insight in order to engage with others and create meaningful relationships, which will lead to effective collaboration.
Skills examples include:
- Civility
- Gratitude
- Building a professional and personal network
- Emotional intelligence
- Maintaining relationships
- Building trust
- Overcoming personal conflict and differences
- Dealing with difficult people
- Building good work relationships
- Avoiding workplace politics
- Becoming more approachable
- Art of making conversation
- Influencing others
- Positive first impressions
- Understanding personality types in relationship building (MBTI)
- Keys to likeability
- How to stand out in a crowd – charming vs. arrogant
- Learning to say, “I’m Sorryâ€
- Understanding personal space
- Social skills etiquette
- Learning to compromise
- Handling difficult conversations
- How to make sure you never forget a name
- Art of mingling
Definition: The ability to effectively meet the challenges and expectations of leading a fulfilling life.
Skills examples include:
- Planning your future
- Financial literacy
- Budgeting
- Retirement
- Good credit and credit ratings
- Managing student loans
- Taxes 101
- Buying vs. leasing a car
- Mortgages vs. leases
- Understanding different types of insurance
- Identity protection
- Building community when you move
- Becoming an UT alum
- Work/life balance
- Maintaining your car
- Personal health and fitness
- Community service/volunteerism
- VOTE!
- Legal matters to consider (wills, living wills, power of attorney, etc.)
- Being a savvy consumer
- Connecting with the arts
Definition: The ability to effectively and efficiently manage and/or systematize resources, time and individuals to accomplish goals and tasks.
Skills examples include:
- Time management
- Project management
- Event planning
- Prioritizing
- Strategic planning
- Resource development
- Organizational budgeting
- Attention to detail
- Management
- Multi-tasking
- Problem solving
- Coordination
- Scheduling
- Ordering your world
- Embracing change
- Dealing with the unexpected
Definition: The ability to articulate oneself as a polished professional while utilizing appropriate acumen for a career environment.
Skills examples include:
- Personal branding
- Business etiquette
- Professional dress
- Professional resume
- Professional job search correspondence
- Professional references
- Interviewing techniques
- Social media presence (i.e. LinkedIn)
- Salary negotiation and understanding salary packages
- Transition from backpack to briefcase – first year of work
- Understanding workplace politics
- Seeking mentors
Definition: The ability to demonstrate an understanding of how inherent and/or developed personality traits and characteristics contribute to personal and professional success.
Skills examples include:
- Resilience
- Reliability
- Sense of humor
- Positive competitiveness
- Self-awareness
- Adaptability/flexibility
- Ethics
- Personal work ethic
- Self-confidence
- Enthusiasm
- Tenacity
- Innovation and creativity
- Integrity
- Motivation/initiative
- Independence
- Stress management
- Dealing with failure
Definition: The ability to successfully build, lead, manage, motivate and work with others.
Skills examples include:
- Delegation
- Leadership
- Following
- Coaching
- Motivation/empowerment
- Persuading
- Negotiating
- Conflict resolution
- Understanding group dynamics
- Accountability
- Cooperation
- Brainstorming
- Debating
- Providing constructive feedback
- Meeting facilitation
- Creating an agenda
- Consensus building
