One of the most important employability skills that we can instill in our students is communication. In fact, according to one study regarding what employers are looking for from prospective candidates, 77% listed written communication and just under 70% noted verbal communication. Both were among the top ten attributes valued by employers. Schools that have a clear focus on college and career readiness often shift their attention from a purely academic approach to one that includes durable or “soft” skills. Sometimes written into the strategic plan or documented through a portrait of a graduate, these skills can be taught and tracked so that all students demonstrate competency with them. 

Not only is it important for students to become proficient communicators, they must do so with confidence. To build their confidence, schools can create assignments and tasks that help students to practice their communication skills, sharing their work with teachers, counselors, and family members for feedback and support. When this is done systematically over time, students learn to speak and write effectively, giving them a competitive edge on their postsecondary path. The following are a few examples of strategies that schools can use in advisory periods or other college and career focused coursework. 

Goals and Journals

Learning to write a powerful and lofty goal and constructing a coherent and cohesive journal are two potent and distinct ways that students can practice their communication skills. Using a structure like SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely) helps students to focus their ideas, and the more they use the five elements together, the more it becomes a habit. Journals are a great way for students to reflect on their accomplishments, boosting their writing skills over time and their confidence as they reinforce skill development through personal analysis. Both goal-setting and journaling can be done in different categories of postsecondary success, including the network that students build through internships, work-based learning, and community activities outside of school.  

Resumes and Portfolios

Resumes and portfolios are great places for students to communicate their skills, interests, experiences, and accomplishments. It’s important that students start early with resume writing and collecting evidence for documentation. It’s also important for students to learn the types of things that they should add to a resume and the types of experiences, such as an internship, that they should try to find in order to showcase for college applications and future employers. Whether it’s a leadership experience as an athlete or a part-time job, students should know how to confidently describe what they did and what they learned so that they stand out in comparison to other resumes and portfolios that are being reviewed. Schools can carve out time for students to write and revise their resume, make multiple versions of it, and add items to their portfolio. Over time, these documents tell a story that gives students confidence that they’re prepared to take the next steps in accordance with their postsecondary hopes and dreams.  

College Application Essays

Writing quality college application essays is arguably one of the most stressful milestones for college degree seeking students. They can be time consuming and require a number of different responses depending on how many and which type of schools that students have on their applying lists. Ideally, students have access to tools that support their writing process, including all of their necessary essay prompts housed in one place and the ability to receive feedback to strengthen their responses. Either way, the more students write and revise within their K-11 experience, the stronger their writing will be when it’s time to apply to college. Schools and districts with exceptional college and career readiness programs make writing across the curriculum a priority from an early age. This gives students the confidence necessary to address college essay prompts and communicate their thoughts and ideas with authority. 

Conclusion  

Regardless of technological advancements, the ability to communicate will always stay at the top of the lists of important employability skills. The stronger a student’s written and verbal communication skills the more of an advantage they’ll have. Practicing through the use of goal-setting, journaling, resume and portfolio development, and essay writing leading to the college application process are strategic initiatives that schools can place at the center of their vision for college and career readiness. 

If you’re interested in seeing a platform that helps students with everything discussed in this blog–SMART goal-setting tools, journaling based on predetermined prompts, resume building, portfolio development and experience tracking, college planning and application, and more, schedule a demo of MaiaLearning today.