What Skills Do Online-Only Students Need Before Entering the Workplace?

• 07/17/24

3) Developing Emotional Intelligence

The ability to read and understand others' feelings, i.e., emotional intelligence, is key to success, both in school and in the workplace. This is one area where Zoom, so useful in developing communication and other skills, as well as asynchronous learning, falls short. For this we urge local online learners to find time to visit campus whenever possible so they can get a better feel for the school, its resources, student services, and fellow students. Just sitting in the cafeteria during meals or hanging out in student lounges will further their capacity for emotional intelligence, and obviously attending classes from time to time will enhance their understanding of the material, if nothing else.

As long as students are coming to campus, they would do well to visit during faculty office hours and have in-person meetings for a change. Besides helping students get to know their professors and gain a deeper grasp of the class material, such relationships will foster networking and future job opportunities. And if coming to campus is simply not doable, online students should make it a point to attend cyber office hours: Even if they don't have any questions, they may see what professional tidbits they can pick up just by listening in.

4) Collaboration

Today operations in virtually all businesses require the ability to work well within a team setting, which, of course, is a challenge to learn when students aren't in the same room as their classmates, or when they lack opportunities to partner with other students outside of class. To combat these disadvantages, online students would do well to enroll in courses that routinely use collaborative projects as part of the course assessment; again, remote projects aren't as beneficial as in-person projects, but every little bit helps.

Beyond that, they should get experience by seeking out team-based volunteer opportunities within their local communities.

5) Leadership

As most online students don't participate in student activities on campus, their ability to demonstrate that they can handle responsibility and earn leadership opportunities is severely hampered.

Like with learning how to collaborate, volunteering in your community can be worth its weight in gold with regard to leadership, because unlike in businesses, many volunteer organizations are on the lookout for individuals who want to take charge.

It's a unique opportunity for on-the-job leadership training while working for a cause they believe in. Along those lines, they should meet with their faculty advisors and request that they steer them toward internships that will have leadership opportunities.

And besides the earned skills and experience, they'll also have something to plug on their resumes that will help them land a job when they finally graduate.