Connecting Disciplines to Career Competencies
Analytical & Critical Thinking
Comprehensively explore issues, ideas, knowledge, evidence, and values before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion. Those competent in this:
- Recognize there may be more than one valid point of view.
- Evaluate an issue or problem based on multiple perspectives, while accounting for personal biases.
- Identify when information is missing or if there is a problem prior to coming to conclusions and making decisions.
Oral & Written Communication
Intentionally engage with an audience to inform, persuade, or entertain. Those competent this:
- Consider relationships with the audience, and the social and political context in which one communicates, as well as the needs, goals, and motivations of all involved.
- Have proficiency in, knowledge of, and competence with the means of communication (including relevant language and technical skills).
- Ensure that communication is functional and clear.
From the University of Minnesota 10 Core Career Competencies
Discussion
You’re talking to an alumnus of your program who’s looking to hire. They want to hire more majors from your discipline, and they need help making the case for that within their company. They say: “Here’s what my company cares about: [one of the above].” Can you explain how your students can apply one or more of these skills to:
- Managing a complex project (event, podcast, website, lab,class project)
- Communicating or organizing work on an academic project
- analyzing complicated text or data to tell a story
Drawing on what you said about your discipline’s unique approach to critical thinking or communication, help the alum make the case for hiring graduates of your program.