In the 21st Century, it is more important than ever for individuals to develop career skills during their educational journey in order to ensure career success after graduation. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) defines these essential skills in eight specific career skills. These skills include Critical Thinking, Communication, Teamwork, Technology, Leadership, Professionalism, Career & Self-Development, and Engagement Across Perspectives. Employers highly value these career skills across all industries and are specifically looking for candidates who gained them during their college experience.
- Career Skills are transferable and highly valued in every industry.
- Focusing on career skills will ensure you’re setting yourself up to stand out and confirm you’re prepared for life after graduation!
- Using skills in a career promotes overall well-being, ability to adapt to change, as well as gives individuals a sense of purpose.
- Employers around the world highly value and look for candidates who have skills they desire in their organization.
- ~70% of employers report using skills-based hiring for entry level roles (NACE, Job Outlook 2026).
- Only about 1 in 4 employers restrict hiring to majors tied directly to their industry, meaning the vast majority (75%) hire across multiple majors or any major depending on skills and experience (NACE, Job Outlook 2025).
- You can no longer showcase just a degree and expect to get a job. You have to articulate your skills and how they relate to the job/employer.
*Most descriptions taken from the National Association of Colleges and Employers