Survey shows U.S. employers value good communication
Posted on 6/7/2010
Topics: English as a Second Language
According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers' (NACE) Job Outlook 2010 survey, U.S. employers put communication skills at the very top of their list when determining which alumni of U.S. undergraduate or graduate programs to hire and which to decline.
While communication skills are not limited to speaking English well, these results suggest that learning and practicing English may be of extra use to international students who wish to find work in the U.S. after completing their education.
International students who still trip over their prepositions shouldn't give up, however. The survey also names analytical skills, teamwork, technical skills and a strong work ethic as held in high esteem by U.S. employers.
The study notes that employers can use a student's GPA and work experience, such as internships, to estimate his or her level of skill, and recommends that students not focus so much on communication, teamwork and other "soft skills" that their grades start to drop.
According to most recent statistics, nearly 600,000 international students are enrolled in programs in the U.S. This number constitutes 3.7 percent of the total student population.
While communication skills are not limited to speaking English well, these results suggest that learning and practicing English may be of extra use to international students who wish to find work in the U.S. after completing their education.
International students who still trip over their prepositions shouldn't give up, however. The survey also names analytical skills, teamwork, technical skills and a strong work ethic as held in high esteem by U.S. employers.
The study notes that employers can use a student's GPA and work experience, such as internships, to estimate his or her level of skill, and recommends that students not focus so much on communication, teamwork and other "soft skills" that their grades start to drop.
According to most recent statistics, nearly 600,000 international students are enrolled in programs in the U.S. This number constitutes 3.7 percent of the total student population.
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