Discussion 2

The purpose in this study is to acquire insight from Faculty, Students, and Employers, in regards to current perceptions and/or experiences that will indicate if students have the necessary [soft skills/work ethics/employability skills/people skills] for the workforce. The extended purpose of this research is to use the data and information as a catalyst to include soft skill outcomes in a student's Plan of Study for: 1) developing soft skills that are 'missing', and/or; 2) to enhance those that are present. The survey will take approximately 7-to-10 minutes and inclusion in the study is based on random sampling and voluntary participation. All participant data and/or e-identification (IP Address)

is confidential and anonymous and will not be released in any form. This specific survey is intended for Students of the Alabama Community College System.

NOTE: Soft skills, employability skills, people skills, and work ethics are interchangeable in this study. (Examples: Communication Skills; Computer and Technical Literacy; Interpersonal Skills; Adaptability; Research Skills; Project Management Skills; Problem-Solving Skills; Process Improvement Expertise; Strong Work Ethic; Emotional Intelligence) [A Soft Skills Descriptor sheet is also provided with this survey.] Thank You, Dr. Ken Scott & Dr. Syed Raza Co-Principal Investigators Trenholm State Community College

Purpose in this study.

Soft Skills/Work Ethics/Employability Skills/People Skills in the Community College: Student Survey

1. Please provide some basic demographic and background data: (Select all that apply)

I am pursuing an Associate Degree, with plans to enter the workforce after graduation.

I am pursuing an Associate Degree, with plans to pursue a BS, Master's and/or PhD.

My area of focus is in the Academic Majors (Math, English, Psychology, etc.)

My area of focus is in the Technical Majors (CIS, Welding, Engineering, etc.)

I work while pursuing my degree.

I do not work while pursuing my degree.

I believe that my soft skills/employability skills/work ethics is/are acceptable.

I believe that my soft skills/employability skills/work ethics need improvement.

1

Do you have any comments on the idea presented by the Workforce Solutions Group statement above?

2. Workforce Solutions Group at St. Louis Community College found that more than 60 percent of employers said applicants lack “communication and interpersonal skills” — an increase of about 10 percentage points in just two years. Many managers also said that today’s applicants can’t think critically and creatively, solve problems or write well (Fiscal Times, 29Jan2014). As a student, what is your opinion of this statement?

I Agree; I think my soft skills need improvement for the workforce

I Disagree; I think my soft skills are adequate for the workforce

Not Sure because I'm not clear on what soft skills really are

Don't Know Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

1. My Writing Skills for Assignments (papers, projects, technical reports) are:

2. My Punctuality to Class & Office Hour Appointments are:

3. My Work & Outcomes Produced in Teams/Groups is:

4. My Motivation to Succeed at College-level Work is:

5. My Quality of Oral Presentations (PowerPoint, Posters...) is:

6. My Ability To Consistently Produce Workforce Quality Work is:

7. My Computer Skills to Meet Course Requirements are:

8. My High School Prep for College Level Work/Technical Skills Development is:

9. My Respect For Others (respect for ideas even when disagreeing, etc.) is:

10. My Enjoyment for Learning New Things (Enthusiasm, attitude, etc.) is:

11. My Planning Acumen (chapters read for class, pencils/pens brought to class, etc) is:

12. My Time Management (work always late or on time, need more time, etc.) is:

13. My Math Skills (Am I Mathematically prepared for the class requirements?) are:

3. For each of the following Soft Skill Attributes, please rate your overall opinion/perception/experience in the range of inadequacy (Poor) to adequacy (Excellent) for each of the work ethics/soft skills/employability skills/people skills attributes of students (specifically yourself) as noted below:

*

2

14. My Leadership (take the lead in groupwork, projects, community service, etc.) is:

15. My Proper Use of Social Media (not paying attention due to texting, etc.) is:

16. My Integrity (responsibility for actions, follow class/school policies, etc.) is:

17. My Professionalism (strive to be the 'best' in presenting themselves, classroom assignments, etc.) is:

18. My Interpersonal Skills (getting along, helping others, etc.) are:

19. My Communication Skills (representing self effectively with others) are:

20. My Responsibility (accepting responsibility for actions and work produced) is:

21. My Positive Attitude (towards my instructor, others) is:

Don't Know Poor Fair Average Good Excellent

Comments on this question?

4. As a perception, how do you think the greater majority of students would rate these Soft Skill Attributes for themselves?

They will rate themselves higher in most or all attributes

They will rate themselves about average in most or all attributes

They will rate themselves lower in most or all attributes

Not Sure

3

Not sure what this

item is I Know I Need Improvement

I'm good with this one

I'm willing to improve in this

area I prefer technical

skills over this item

1. Communication Skills

2. Computer and Technical Literacy

3. Interpersonal Skills

4. Adaptability

5. Research Skills

6. Project Management Skills

7. Problem-Solving Skills

8. Process Improvement Expertise

9. Strong Work Ethic

10. Emotional Intelligence

Do you think it is possible to teach Soft Skills to students who lack these skills so that they might improve their use of these skills in college, community service, and in the workplace?

5. For the ten items below, indicate how these items relate to you in terms of the choices given. You should check each response that applies to you for each category. For example, if your communications skills are in need of improvement, and you are willing to learn to improve them, but you prefer technical skills over communication skills, you would select: I Need Improvement, I'm willing to learn, and I prefer technical skills over this item.

4

Are there any two or three attributes that you would consider to be the absolute most important for students to have before entering the workforce? Would you please give a short discussion of why you selected these specific items?

6. What is your opinion of the relationship between soft skills and technical skills? (Please select all of the items

below that apply to your experiences.)

You cannot have one without the other and be successful

You can have one without the other and be successful

Organizations require individuals to have both employability skills and technical skills

Organizations do not require individuals to have both employability skills and technical skills

Soft skills should be learned 'at home', not on the job

Learning soft skills takes away from the time needed to learn academic and/or technical skills

I would be agreeable to having a course in the Plan of Study on Employability Skills

I would not be agreeable to having a course in the Plan of Study on Employability Skills

Any comments you would like to add to this?

7. What is your opinion of the following statement: "While technical skills are a part of many excellent educational curricula, soft skills need further emphasis in the community college curricula so that students learn the importance of soft skills early in their academic/technical programs before they embark on a business or other career." (Robles, 2012)

I Agree

I Disagree

No Opinion

8. In your opinion, do you think there is merit in having students mentor each other to improve Soft Skills?

9. When appropriate, what is your opinion that team projects and presentations would improve many of the Soft Skills Attributes for students?

5

10. In your opinion, what should community college instructors and/or students do to improve the soft skills of students?

6

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