It seems like everyone is talking about the glories of transferable skills. If you’re a college student, you might be wondering: What skills am I actually building in and outside of class? That’s a fair question—and the answer starts with reflection.
Take a moment to think about what you’re doing right now. Maybe you’re juggling classes, working a part‑time job, volunteering, or running a side hustle. Every one of those experiences is helping you build skills you can carry into any workplace. Grab a notebook or chat with a career coach and ask yourself:
- What am I good at?
- What am I learning?
- How do these experiences connect to my bigger goals?
If you’re not sure what skills employers are looking for, you’re not alone. The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) outlines eight core competencies every college student should know—such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, leadership, professionalism, and more. In addition, the American Psychological Association (APA) offers a research‑backed list of skills students develop through coursework and campus involvement. The key takeaway? Employers across all industries value these skills.
According to the APA, psychology students commonly develop skills in cognitive, communication, personal, social, and technology areas. These skills are built not only in the classroom, but also through involvement in campus organizations, work experiences, and leadership roles. For a deeper look at these transferable skills, visit the APA’s guide.
To make sure you’re not underselling yourself, create a list of everything you’ve done—classes, jobs, internships, volunteering—and match each experience to at least one skill from the NACE competencies or APA list. Then, turn those connections into your professional story.
For example:
“Working as a campus tour guide at UF helped me develop communication and leadership skills. I learned how to adapt my message for different audiences and coordinated with my team during unexpected tour interruptions—skills I now apply when presenting and collaborating in my internship.”
That’s exactly what you’ll do in interviews so start practicing now!
Tips for Telling Your Professional Story
- Use Quinncia: An AI-based platform that helps you strengthen your resume and interview skills.
- Meet with a career coach: They can help you identify skills and translate experiences into strong interview answers.
- Track your activities in Gator Launch: Connect what you do outside the classroom to the skills employers want.
- Engage with employers: Attend campus events or virtual sessions to practice talking about your experiences.
The more you practice, the more confident you’ll feel.
Your skills are already being developed through everything you do—even if it doesn’t feel that way yet (and trust us, everyone feels behind at some point). The key is recognizing your skills, connecting them to what employers want, and practicing how to share your story. Start now. Your future self will thank you.
Sources:
American Psychological Association. (2018). The skillful psychology student: Skills you will need to succeed in the 21st-century workplace.
https://www.apa.org/ed/precollege/undergrad/skillful-psychology-student
National Association of Colleges and Employers. (2024). What is career readiness? https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined/
Image Credits: Photo by Galina Nelyubova on Unsplash
