What is Career Readiness?

Even though you might have completed the education and training needed for a specific job, you may not yet be career-ready. A career readiness assessment of most new graduates would probably reveal similar results.

Let’s take a look at the importance of career readiness and how to obtain it.

Career readiness makes a big difference in how comfortable you feel going on job interviews. Additionally, it changes how effective you are during your first weeks on a job.

It also determines how suited you are to functioning within a company long-term. Career readiness is important to be successful in an entry level position in the field you love. 

What Does Career Readiness Mean?

Career readiness is the state of having preparation or being in a position to take action. And career readiness means having the knowledge and the tools to be successful in the workplace.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), career readiness is the attainment and demonstration of the required competencies that broadly prepare graduates for the successful transition into the workplace.

More simply put, it is the process of preparing students to find a job, keep it, and grow within that job.

Southern Careers Institute in Texas offers career readiness to students as part of all of their training programs. Graduates leave the institute with the knowledge to work in a chosen career armed with the skills to get a job and be a productive asset to a company. 

Why is Career Readiness Important?

Career readiness is important because education today is so focused on theory, a gap has been created between what graduates leave school knowing and what they can actually do once they are out in the world.

They may have the knowledge to understand the field they want to work in, but they lack the skills to find a job and serve as valued employees.

Companies aren’t interested in teaching new hires the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. Instead, they prefer employees to have the practical knowledge that comes with on-the-job experience.

Through the fostering of common core career readiness standards, educators are trying to bridge that gap. Essentially, this brings job skills training into the classroom alongside core academic skills.

Career readiness skills apply to any job at any company no matter the employment level. Therefore, it is important because it focuses on teaching students what they need to know to be successful in real-world jobs.

Then, students who have been taught those skills leave school with the confidence needed to function in this new environment where they can live the lives they want to pursue.

Furthermore, employers don’t have to waste time and money on candidates who aren’t prepared to perform. 

What Does it Take to be Career Ready?

Being career-ready means having the job skills of a well-rounded, well-informed employee. Some of the job-readiness competencies that potential employees should possess include the following:

Job-Seeking Skills/Career Management 

Students need to be able to look for a job, apply for it, and interview with confidence. They should also be able to identify and express their skills, strengths, knowledge, and experience to potential employers.

Oral and Written Communication

Career-ready individuals should be able to articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in oral and written forms to others within the organization as well as those outside of it. This includes public speaking skills and writing and editing memos, letters, emails, and technical reports.

Professionalism

Effective work habits and a strong work ethic are important for retaining a job. Job seekers also should be punctual, have good time management skills, work productively with others, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication. Integrity and the ability to learn from mistakes are also very important. 

Financial Literacy

The ability to understand and manage personal money helps with one’s readiness to be in charge of business accounts and spending. 

Digital Responsibility

An individual in today’s business setting must be adaptable to new and emerging technologies. Moreover, have the ability to use them ethically and efficiently to complete tasks, solve problems, and accomplish goals. 

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving

Sound reasoning to analyze issues, overcome problems, and make decisions is not only desirable but also necessary in a work environment. Individuals must also have the ability to interpret facts and data using originality. 

Leadership

A good employee is able to manage his or her own emotions and use empathetic skills to guide and motivate others. He or she can also organize, prioritize, and delegate work. 

Teamwork/Collaboration

The ability to build collaborative relationships with colleagues from different backgrounds is very important in the workplace. An employee should also have the ability to work within a team structure, negotiate, and manage conflict effectively.

Global Fluency

Valuing, respecting, and being open to learning from diverse cultures, age groups, races, religions, and gender identities is important in every workplace. A career-ready individual will also demonstrate openness, sensitivity, inclusiveness, and the ability to interact with everyone and understand and appreciate differences.

Are You Career-Ready?

If you want the freedom to find meaningful work, you must first make sure that you are ready to be an employee. Therefore, you should consider getting career-ready in a program at Southern Careers Institute.

SCI training programs include courses in career readiness to ensure your success. Students also have the opportunity to learn about setting professional and personal goals, portfolio development, and job search techniques.

Additionally, they will learn about the different career paths they can take upon graduation. Other key aspects of the course are resume building, writing a cover letter, and mock interviews.

It doesn’t stop there. Graduates have the opportunity to take advantage of student career services. This department dedicates its services to matching employers’ needs with our students’ skills.

Essentially, employers can post jobs for SCI students, and students can find jobs to suit their needs. Our students are also invited to create personal profiles that highlight their resumes, skills badges, work experience, and videos of themselves performing tasks that illustrate their skills in action.

Gain purpose and meaning in your life by contacting us at 1.833.SCI.TEXAS or apply online to become career-ready.  

Sources

• https://sites.ed.gov/octae/2016/12/21/a-first-job-can-change-a-life/
• https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined/
• https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED581653