Cochise Newsroom

Have you ever wondered what employers are looking for in a new employee?  According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), there are 8 skills that employers want their employees to have. The good news is that each one of these skills is something you can develop and grow. Each class you take here at Cochise College will help you increase your growth in these skills, but you need to know what they are to make each class a valuable asset into becoming career ready.

 

A good first step is to take the NACE self-assessment (the QR code will take you there). This will introduce you to what each skill or competency is and help you see what you are already good at, and where you may need the most work. The sooner you can assess where you currently are, the sooner you will be able to set goals to enhance your skill set and be the type of employee that an employer is looking for.

 

Career and Self-Development is the first skill to start thinking about. Employers value the employee who is curious and excited about their personal development.  Personal growth is a life-long pursuit, and your steps here at Cochise College are an important piece to that. Taking the time to improve oneself via education, learning concrete skills for your future career, and other opportunities whether formal or informal, make an impact on your career. This is the first skill to start working on, because it encompasses all the other skills and your growth within them. 

 

Career and Self-Development means you look at where you are right now and see where you want to be, then setting goals to bridge that gap. While that gap can seem huge at first, all it takes is one step in the right direction to make it smaller.  Each step is a piece of the career and self-development puzzle. Every person is unique in where they want to focus their energy in self-improvement. It is not so much what you spend your time working on, it is the growth that comes from that work that matters. 

 

This is important to employers because it shows you are motivated. It shows you are willing to work hard and improve. It is the employees that grow that end up being noticed in positive ways. The journey you traveled to get where you are matters. When you have proven that you have overcome obstacles, you show you are able to persevere and make things better. It becomes a mindset that employers value. 

 

To help students (and myself) work on career and self-development goals, this year Career Services will be holding a monthly professional development book group on the Sierra Vista campus starting on October 8^th. Our first book we will read is Atomic Habits by James Clear. Next up in November will be Think Again by Adam Grant.  So go find yourself a copy and start reading to be ready to discuss. 

 

Scan the QR code to complete the NACE Self Assessment.

 

 

About the author: Erin Ross is the Career Services Coordinator at Cochise College, where she helps students explore career options, prepare for the workforce and connect their education to future opportunities. To contact Erin, email rosse@cochise.edu or call (520) 452-2641.