5 Work Study Skills that Can Improve Your Marketability
Jun 11, 2012
For some, work study is their first time working. Even if it's not, you'll find that you develop a whole new set of skills. Colleges tend to offer office jobs, though some have janitorial jobs as well. No matter what position you take at your institution, work study will instill skills in you that are marketable for after you graduate and enter the work force. The following are five of those skills.
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1. Organization
Office jobs are great for learning how to be organized. Filing folders, sending out bulk mailings, even sorting mail can show you how an organized workspace can benefit your job performance. Pay attention to the way your employer has things organized. Consider ways they could better the system by organizing things differently. If you make some suggestions, your ideas may even be implemented. This skill also enhances your logic and critical thinking skills. You'll be an asset to any company if you can explain how operations could run more smoothly with a few minor changes.
2. Leadership
Some work study positions include planning events. Whether these events are put on by student services, the alumni association or the college, you'll learn how to become a leader. When you're fully immersed in the plans of a meeting, party, lecture or cultural event, you'll know when to take charge if your boss isn't around. Even if your boss is around, take charge with simple suggestions. Maybe the school banner would be more visible on the far wall, or maybe the art exhibit poster could include more color. Small suggestions and changes not only instills leadership, but it gives you pride in your work.
3. Confidence
When you work hard and you're noticed for the work you do, you'll take pride in the outcome. Pride in your work then leads to confidence. You'll be proud to have people see what you've done. Similar to artists exhibiting their work, your masterpiece is the excellent job you've done. When you're confident, you'll be more at ease around people and find that communicating and networking are easier. A confident personality is easy to spot and potential employers will notice it.
4. Networking
No matter what type of personality you have, if you are forced to be the face of the university (or the knowledgeable protégé for a professor), you'll be encouraged to talk. Over time, you'll learn how to be comfortable in your surroundings and you'll find your voice. Communication and networking are key skills needed to survive in life - not just in your career. The more events and meetings you attend, the more you'll network. Eventually, networking can lead to opportunities outside of college.
5. Research
Nearly any work study position requires you to complete research. Why, you ask? Because when you don't know the answer, you must seek it. If you don't know how to replace typewriter ribbon, what do you do? You find sources that will give you the answer: someone who has replaced it before or a manual that will tell you what to do. Over time these research skills are honed because you'll improve skills such as critical thinking, decision making and analytical thinking.
Now that you know some skills that work study can give you, find out what marketable skills college clubs can instill.
