Hailing On All Frequencies - Transferable Skills Transmit!
Be Discovered as THE Finalist Candidate
Transferable Skills Mind Meld
Whether you are destined to graduate this Spring or heading warp speed into the final frontier of your UMBC academic experience, we aim to provide you with what is perhaps one of the most critical job search and graduate school admission concepts that students must grasp by or before graduation. The concept of “transferable skills” is really quite logical when you break it down into simple terms. Leading edge employers and graduate schools have very specific skills, aptitudes and personal values they are seeking in finalist candidates.
Your Mission
Your mission is to provide concrete examples in cover letters, resumes, essays and interviews of how you:
- genuinely possess these traits and skills
- strategically illustrate how your traits and skills TRANSFER to the specific goals and objectives of each employer or graduate/professional school
Universal Translator of Transferable Traits and Skills
Fortunately, the most important traits and skills are universal across the galaxy and almost all professional fields. Here are the big ones according to career development specialists - Randall and Katherine Hansen:
Human Relations:
Transferable skill example: As a resident assistant at UMBC you were able to develop rapport and actively listen to your residents while cooperating with other members of your community, collaborating and sharing accomplishments with fellow staff, and ultimately asserting authority when it was required.
Communication:
Transferable skill example: As an SGA senator at UMBC you spoke effectively on behalf of your student constituents, facilitating group discussions regarding various areas of concern. Throughout your term of service, you negotiated with and persuaded University administrators by expressing your ideas, providing appropriate feedback, and reporting information on a monthly basis.
Planning & Research:
Transferable skill example: As a Center for Women in Technology (CWIT) Scholar, you identified problems associated with your mechanical engineering team project, gathered information about possible improvements in design, analyzed additional data, and imagined further alternatives.
Organization, Management and Leadership:
Transferable skill example: As the Vice-President of the Pre-Pharmacy Society, you initiated new ideas about the scope and nature of programs, handling details associated with securing new guest speakers, coordinating high level task and delegating other responsibilities to other officers.
Work Survival:
Transferable skill example: As a Peer Student Advisor in the Office for Academic & Pre-Professional Advising, you accepted responsibility for helping to enforce policies of the University. Moreover, you enlisted the help of your fellow staff members (peer and professional) in the implementation of programs and delivery of critical services.
RESOURCES – SERIOUS & FUN
Transferable Skills Sets for Job Seekers
How to Identify Your Transferable Skills
The International Star Trek Fan Association - Starfleet (sponsors of scholarships!)
Posted: March 7, 2018, 2:47 PM
