Career readiness encompasses marketable skills or transferable skills.
"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."
– NACE, "What Is Career Readiness", 2024
Through nationwide research, The National Association of Colleges and Employers have identified 8 core competencies college students need to succeed in the workplace. Panhandle employers agree with the need for these skills and that younger employees often lack the skills they expect. Students who can demonstrate higher development in these 8 competencies will better compete for high-demand jobs.
To prepare, students can review the competencies below and identify the three they believe they are strongest in and the three which will require the most development. Then, take opportunities to build the development competencies throughout their time in college.
Consider scheduling a one-on-one discussion with a career professional for ideas on how to pursue development.
Marketable Skills
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), through a task force of college career services and HR/staffing professionals, has developed a definition, based on extensive research among employers, and identified competencies associated with career readiness.
- National Association of Colleges and Employers, 2020