Professional Skills Certification (MSBR1-02)

Professional skills are often referred to as “soft skills” (or social/emotional learning, emotional intelligence, etc.) and are quickly becoming the new yardstick for measuring success, and with good reason. Research shows that these soft skills account for as much as 85% of an individual’s success, whereas traditional “hard skills” (academics, corporate job training, IQ, etc.) only account for 15%. Employers have placed a premium on employees’ ability to communicate, to think critically and solve difficult problems, to learn new skills, to lead others, to function independently, to work as part of a team to accomplish a common goal, and to accept and thrive with constant change. This can be accomplished with soft skills training. In a digital world where technology allows people to be more closely linked than ever before, professional skills are the traits that allow us to reach out and connect with others and be our best selves. Much like emotional intelligence, which is the capacity to express our own emotions and respond to the emotions of those around us, soft skills drive and define personal skills and interpersonal growth. Some professional skills examples include having a positive attitude, effective time management, and empathy. They are more fluid rather than concrete, and are transferable to a variety of settings, including the workplace. Course is comprised of 8 modules 20 hours Attitude This is where it all starts—attitude. The ability to respond to guidance, to control your emotions, and to keep your focus is so important in today’s workplace. The importance of a positive attitude cannot be overlooked. Communication Communication skills are something we often take for granted, but lack of communication is one of the biggest reasons teams and projects fail. It’s important to know what to say and how to say it to get your point across. Planning & Organizing Major accomplishments don’t just happen. They require careful planning to make sure nothing is overlooked and mistakes aren’t made. Prioritization, time management, and system creation skills are important. Critical Thinking Now more than ever before, the ability to think critically about a problem and identify a solution is extremely important. Employers are looking for people who can think “outside the box” and solve complex problems. Interpersonal Skills Interpersonal skills, like empathy for customer service, and responding to confl¬ict, are extremely important in any people-based service business. You need to know how to present yourself in an acceptable manner. Teamwork Many people think of sports when they think of teamwork, but the truth is teamwork is just as important in the workplace as it is on any sports field. You need to know how to work with others to achieve a common goal. Professionalism Most businesses hold their employees to high standards of professionalism, and it’s up to each employee to know and live up to those standards. “I didn’t know” is not an acceptable excuse. Media Rules Technology has made it easy to communicate, but there are right and and wrong ways to do this in the workplace. You need to make sure to respect technology-based guidelines and restrictions in the workplace.

(communication; soft skills; success; hard skills; critical thinking; organizing; teamwork; professionalism; media)