Value of a Liberal Arts Degree

Transferable Skills are ...

… abilities, skills, and personal attributes which can be used in a wide range of activities, and that are not specific to the subject that you studied....

Communication and Presentation Skills

ability to:

• use various forms and styles of written or oral communication with clarity and precision.

• speak effectively to individuals or groups.

• use various media formats to present ideas with clarity and imagination.

• describe objects, events, or conversations with minimal factual errors.

• listen with objectivity.

• convey one’s needs, opinions, or preferences without violating the rights of others.

• speak in an articulate manner.

• develop sustained, well-reasoned, and clearly-presented arguments.

• identify quickly and accurately the critical issues when making a decision or solving a problem.

• create innovative solutions to complex problems.

• identify a general principle to explain related experiences or data.

• define the parameters of a problem.

• identify reasonable criteria to assess the value or appropriateness of action or behavior.

• adapt one’s concepts and behavior to changing conventions and norms.

• apply appropriate criteria to strategies and plans of action.

• analyze from several perspectives the relationships among events and ideas.

• identify information sources appropriate to special needs or problems.

• use a variety of sources of information.

• design an experiment, plan or model to define a problem systematically.

• formulate relevant questions to clarify a problem, topic or issue.

• synthesize facts, concepts, and principles.

• evaluate information against appropriate standards.

• organize information effectively.

• apply information creatively to specific problems or tasks.

• identify people or resource materials that would be useful in the solution of a problem.

• assess a course of action in terms of its long-range effects on general human welfare.

• make decisions that increase both the individual and common good.

• understand the contributions of the arts, humanities, literature, science, and technology to society.

• identify one’s own values.

• assess one’s own values in the face of difficult decisions.

• develop personal goals and self-motivation.

• relate the skills developed in one environment to the requirements of another environment.

• manage time effectively.

• juggle multiple demands for commitment of time, energy, and resources.

• demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning.

• analyze and learn from one’s experience and the experience of others.

• accept responsibility and the consequences of one’s actions.

• identify one’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as accept and learn from constructive feedback.

• take initiative.

• demonstrate leadership skills, as well as earn the trust and confidence of others.

• interact with people from diverse backgrounds by acknowledging the differences in customs and beliefs.

• deal with ambiguity.

• behave appropriately in a variety of social settings and under different circumstances.

Learn about the transferable skills for specific Arts & Sciences majors.

Created by Lynne Higa, Michael Kirk-Kuwaye

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