Council on Undergraduate Research
Stellar--OCU's Undergraduate Research Journal
Updates:
23 August: Paul Gebb recommended a book to me, Academically Adrift by by Arum and Roksa, in which they describe a test to measure student performance in soft skills. The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) is that test, according to the latest issue of Money Magazine it's used in about 500 institutions. This test might be an excellent tool to assess our progress on developing soft skills through undergraduate research. The book chapter describing the CLA is provided by clicking the link.
24 April: In the May 2011 edition of Money Magazine, the article "Put Some Punch Into Your Career" suggests the importance of "soft skills" such as communication, critical thinking, collaboration/team building, and creativity/innovation. Citing a study from the American Management Association, the "2010 Critical Skills Survey", the article notes a talent gap between the importance of these skills compared to the levels demonstrated by employees. Turning to the study itself, of managers surveyed about 70% rated recent graduates at a level of average or below on these soft skills. This talent gap suggests colleges and universities are not doing a very good job instilling soft skills in students who go on to positions in the private sector. The Council on Undergraduate Research proposes that research evidence points to student involvement in undergraduate research as a successful method to develop these critical soft skills. OCU students must develop soft skills to make them more competitive in the job market and more successful on the job, and we can help by injecting C.A.I.R.S. activities in our own curriculums.
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Dr. James Guzak, Meinders School of Business