Top Skills for Doctoral Students
It is important to know what skills, knowledge, and experiences employers seek, to inform your career preparation during your doctoral program.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) identified eight competencies that employers typically seek in job candidates. It is important to be aware of what employers value in a job applicant, and then make sure that you are gaining and enhancing those skills. If you notice a gap between what you possess and what employers seek, make a plan to narrow the gap, gaining skills and experience either on campus or beyond.
The NACE Competencies:
- Critical thinking/problem solving
- Oral/written communication
- Teamwork/collaboration
- Technology
- Leadership
- Professionalism/work ethic
- Self-awareness and career development
- Global perspective
Additional core competencies that doctoral students possess:
- Research
- Discipline-specific conceptual knowledge
- Management of projects and people
- Teaching
