The Crisis with Soft Skills
Season 7 | Episode 705 | Length: 27 minutes
“Soft Skills” are defined at personal attributes that enable someone to interact effectively with other people – and workforce experts say today’s young people are facing a significant deficit in soft skills. It’s a problem that can have a serious impact on young people as they search for jobs, and even as they apply and interview for college and other crucial post-high school education opportunities.
Our Guests
Dr. Rueben Brock is an assistant professor of psychology at California University of Pennsylvania. He is also a licensed counselor in private practice.
Wesley Jackson Wade is a career counselor for the College of Sciences at NC State University in Raleigh, NC and is a licensed, certified, and clinical counselor in mental health addictions with his own private practice.
Emily Donato is the Career Development Coordinator at Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. She is a facilitator of professional and personal development for youth.
Dr. Lisa Abel-Palmieri is the President and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Western Pennsylvania. She is an education and non-profit leader passionate about shaping the future of learning by designing equitable experiences that engage in the heart, mind and innate skills in youth.
Resources
Download the accompanying discussion guide for more information about the episode, discussion questions, biographies of the guests featured in the episode, online articles, resources, and much more!
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Youth.gov: Soft Skills to Pay the Bills
Top Soft Skills Employers Value — With Examples
New Deloitte Study of Millennials Shows They Need Help Improving These 4 Skills
The Soft Skills Gap: Growing Steadily from Gen X to Gen Z
Science Says Parents of Successful Kids Have These 11 Things in Common
10 Essential People Skills You Need to Succeed
What Works in Soft Skills Development for Youth Employment?
Deficient Critical Thinking Skills among College Graduates: Implications for Leadership
Survey Finds Soft Skills Training Important to Gen Z
What are problem-solving skills and why are they important?
The Non-Boring Way to Show Off Your Soft Skills in Your Job Search
Time Management Skills: Definition and Examples
Communication Skills for Workplace Success