Getting through college and finally walking over the stage to graduate is an achievement that can often determine the direction of your life. It can open many doors in terms of work, opportunities, and networks, as well as teach you valuable lessons which you can apply in your everyday life. However, it is becoming increasingly competitive to find jobs after college so developing your skills while studying is important. Between thirty and forty percent of undergraduates are said to be underemployed which is a noticeable number. However, there are still many graduates who leave college and go on to begin a successful career, so this is possible for you as well. One of the ways to ensure you are amongst the successful batch is to capitalize on key skills you gain during education. Here are a few you can consider investing in while finishing your degree.

Computing

We are presently in the digital age seeing as most things have a hint of technology. It means that employers are increasingly looking for people who have computing skills as they may prove to be valuable assets. If you went to a private School in Ealing anywhere between nursery and year 8, then you most likely took computing classes which were taught by a specialist teacher.  This, however, isn’t a skill that you should stop developing when you leave school. Consider taking extra computing classes in your free time, self-teaching or seeing if there’ a related club in your college.

Interpersonal Skills

Through engaging in creative arts or extracurricular activities during your time in education, it is likely that you picked up several interpersonal skills along the way. The ability to work and interact effectively with other people can be argued to be critical to your success in the workforce. No matter what organization you work in, you will need to interact with people to reach company goals and objectives. It is, therefore, important that you try your best to take group work, class projects, and socializing seriously. Mastering the art of listening is also a key skill employers will be interested in, as doing so will help you sell, maintain relationships, as well as navigate your professional and personal life. On that note, pay attention next time you’re talking to a fellow student during a lunch break.

Attention

Paying attention to detail is an important skill to master which will make you more employable. It means that all of those days you spend in the library editing your essays are certainly not in vain. Many employers are said to complain about careless typing, and formatting errors throughout millennial applicants work samples, cover letters, and resumes. It means that they are watching for such skills in the things you may see as minor far before they decide to hire you.

Education is certainly not enough to attract employers these days as the number of people enrolling is steadily increasing. You will probably need to prove that you possess skills that can be used in the workplace as theory is very different from practice most times. To increase your chances of getting into the workforce as soon as possible, you should, therefore, consider mastering the skills mentioned above and more.

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February 19, 2018