Denise Calderone

Boy is that the truth! Soft skills seem to be the place where I should start with many of my classes. I don't know if they just have not had enough life experiences or what the problem is.....

Barry Westling

Hi Rajini:
You make a really good point here - when students are absent, they miss things. It's always especially terrible when a student is absent and missed a critical lecture or assignment that will impact the majority of their understanding.

Regards, Barry

Barry Westling

Hi Jennifer:
What a great method and apparently very successful. Not all schools are able to include somthing this comprehensive.

Regards, Barry

Rajini Shahani CHEP

It is true that many absences in the work field will have negative impact on their success. The Career College for nurses, policy is that each student is allowed 2 clinical absences & at end of term if they make up those 2 absences then they still can PASS that clinical rotation.
Students should not miss any clinical day unless there is an emergency. If an clinical instructor explains the policy, and adds any other penality example If they are absent, they must write a paper and make up the missed days? Do you think implementing the additional penality will conflict with college policy?
Thank you.

Jennifer Park

One of the biggest advantages that I feel the college I work for has is the "soft skill" lessons built right int othe syllabus. We utilize a program that was custom created for us called THINK,BUILD,LIVE SUCCESS. The students get TBLS in the beginning, middle, and end of their time here. It is a progression style program. The initial book focuses on goal setting, organization, time and money management, confidence boosting, and also utilizing the resources that are available to you. Book 2 is about maintaining a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally, as well as touching the points from book 1. Book 3 is given by our career placement specialists and focuses on the journey of landing that new career, this includes mock interviews, dressing professionally, resume writing, etc. We have seen a big change in our student culture since this program was implemented. We have TBLS instructors that come in and teach this to our class which also provides the "guest speaker" element that is highly encouraged. Also, as instructors we are required to familiarize ourself with the content and we go thru periodic TBLS training to make sure we are on point as well.

Barry Westling

Hi Richard:
As part of our preparation, I don't see why we can't be instructive with soft skills a little bit each day.

I like to put a quote on the board, and ask a student what it's meaning is. I'm amazed that so many students are stumpted by maxims and anaecdotes that that are richly told through quotes.

Recently I wrote "Smooth sails do not make good sailors." It took three students to get at the root of the principle tucked in this message. But my point is whether by quotes, or more directly, just a tip or two about being prepared at work or employer expectations could be shared each day, finally resulting in a lot of information by the end of the term.

Regards, Barry

Richard Weil CHEP

Got that right. A surgeon, hermit, or Nobel Prize winner can get away without a lot of them but most of us have to learn how get along if we want to go anywhere. I think technology has had some effect in making interactions worse--writing this in my bathrobe at home isn't the way to participate in the agora, but social skills are learnable.

At work it may take a few knocks on the head before people get it, but sometimes students will pick them up before that happens. Too bad it's not part of more career curricula (or teacher training for that matter).

Barry Westling

Hi Al:
We have the opportunity to either share or demonstrate some types of soft skills every daty. Then, one day, you can point out "ever notice that I always...whatever?" The students will instantly connect with the latent lesson they been witnessing develop over the weeks.

These are important. Some schools offer special classes. It's a shame that more students need to be shown or have discussions about such simple things that once were taken for granted. But hey, we take who we get, and we try our best.

Regards, Barry

AL MEYER CHEP

I agree with a lot of what is said here. More & more I see that these soft skills are lacking with each year I teach. Its so important to teach the students the importance of these skills as they prepare to venture into the "real world". It doesnt matter how much they know, how trained they are or how well they can apply their knowledge if these skills are not applied. As a teacher I certainly have put more of an emphasis on these matters with each year to help prepare them.

Barry Westling

Hi Melanie:
Unfortunately, styles and generational difference begin to interfere with accepted standards for the work setting. It's so unfortunate that many bof our younger students have not had the upbringing or role modekling in the home to teach them how, and the importance of soft skills.

We can teach it a little bit each day: by example, by reinforcing desired behavior, giving out tidbits when the moment is ripe, even discussing it as a regualr topic.

I know many schools will incorporate some sort of class that is strictly focused og professionalism, work readiness, and things like good grammar and grooming.

Again, sometimes, just one class is not enough to make up for a lifetime of bad manners and inappropriate behavior. It's really unfortunate.

Regards, Barry

Dr. Melanie Clark

I agree that individuals soft skills are lacking. First impressions are so important and I tell students they do not want these to distract from their skills. They will lose credibility even though not aware. I will tell individuals before they leave for work in the morning and throughout the day to look in a full length mirror. I will tell the ladies to bend forward to make sure they are wearing an appropriate shirt and also make sure they are wearing appropriate pants as to limit skin that is shown. This quick check will eliminate many uncomfortable situations that may arise for both parties. These are important for men as well.

Barry Westling

Hi Lisa:
Many factors have contributed, and it's beyond this forum to dialog. But I'll say some of the influences over the past, say 25 years, is the internet, cable TV, diminished school standards, communities of nontraditional families; and the explosion of technoly (video games, texting, gadgets, etc).

In all these, deterioration of family values, instruction, respect, and tolerance and acceptance of a decaying society. Seems like a grim picture. Didn't to make it so somber, but I think these truely are factors.

Regards, Barry

Lisa Carlo

Many students do not realize that they lack these skills. It isn't often until college, when they are taken out of their traditional communities, that their deficiencies become apparent. I am also finding that the lack of soft skills is more and more common with the younger generations. What has been shifted?

Barry Westling

Roy:
Communication is a big part of it, true. I would also include grooming, hygiene, presentation, coutesy and respect, form and order, protocol, and diverity awareness.

Regards, Barry

Roy Kanno

What good is a brilliant presentation if it is finished one week after the seminar is over? Soft skills are basically communication skills. They help the student communicate what they know or what they have questions about to others.

Barry Westling

Hi Lisa:
Technolgy may play a samll part as what we do as individuals increasingly is performed electonically, alone, and in absence of too much personal socializing.

Transfer of appropriate habits needed for successful work experiences, general courtesy and respect for others, and a greater influx of different customs and values present in the workplace all contribute to some degree to the deterioration of proper methods of speech, dress and grooming, hygiene, attendance, etc. We might ask "where in earlier school or upbringing do these topics appeawr and where do students learn them?"

One way we can help is being good role models, demonstrating proper and appropriate behavior every day class is in session. In our small way, we can a difference, even if it's a small one.

Regards, Barry

lisa smith

I have found that there are more students that are in need of the soft skills the longer I teach. Wondering if it has something to due with technology?

Barry Westling

Hi Joan:
Absoutely important. We can serve as role models by practicing what we preach. But too, many students come to us with awful manners, behaviors, and attitudes that will not lead them to successful careers. I can empathize with some, who just haven't have the opportunity to be taught. But regardless of the reason, I think we have an obligation to try sharpen some of these soft skill, either by formal classes that focus on attire, attendance, speech and grammar, grooming, etiquette, or by providing small does every day in class and by demonstration and respect, change them from within where they see the importance. When that happens, change can be a possibility.

Regards, Barry