Question:
Which life and career skills do you believe are most important to be successful in today’s society? Please check your top three.
Evaluators:
Sarah Wakeman and Suzannah Brown
Introduction:
We recognize that the responses to this particular question could vary quite a bit depending on each respondent's profession, background, and life experience, particularly with so many options to choose from, many of which feel somewhat similar. Regardless, we are interested in this question because it allows us to see which life and career skills residents believe are most important to achieving success.
Findings:
Out of the ten options, here are the three 21st century life and career skills deemed most essential for success in today’s society:
Adaptability
Percent of Individuals - 57% of respondents (n=110) selected this as one of three themes
Percent Out of Total Responses - 20% of the total number of themes (n=330) selected
Frequency - 63
Responsibility
Percent of Individuals - 47% of respondents (n=110) selected this as one of three themes
Percent Out of Total Responses - 16% of the total number of themes (n=330) selected
Frequency - 52
Initiative
Percent of Individuals - 42% of respondents (n=110) selected this as one of three themes
Percent Out of Total Responses - 15% of the total number of themes (n=330) selected
Frequency - 46
Which life and career skills do you believe are most important to be successful in today’s society? Please check your top three.
- Adaptability
- Social Skills
- Cross Culturals Skills
- Leadership
- Flexibility
- Responsibility
- Productivity
- Initiative
- Self-Direction
- Accountability
Evaluators:
Sarah Wakeman and Suzannah Brown
Introduction:
We recognize that the responses to this particular question could vary quite a bit depending on each respondent's profession, background, and life experience, particularly with so many options to choose from, many of which feel somewhat similar. Regardless, we are interested in this question because it allows us to see which life and career skills residents believe are most important to achieving success.
Findings:
Out of the ten options, here are the three 21st century life and career skills deemed most essential for success in today’s society:
Adaptability
Percent of Individuals - 57% of respondents (n=110) selected this as one of three themes
Percent Out of Total Responses - 20% of the total number of themes (n=330) selected
Frequency - 63
Responsibility
Percent of Individuals - 47% of respondents (n=110) selected this as one of three themes
Percent Out of Total Responses - 16% of the total number of themes (n=330) selected
Frequency - 52
Initiative
Percent of Individuals - 42% of respondents (n=110) selected this as one of three themes
Percent Out of Total Responses - 15% of the total number of themes (n=330) selected
Frequency - 46
Interpretations:
Adaptability was by far the most popular response for this question, and it is interesting to think about how relevant it is in society. Our world is always changing, especially now that technology has a greater influence than ever before. It makes sense that people would believe that in order to be successful, a person has to be willing and able to adapt to a variety of circumstances and learn the personal, professional, and social skills needed to do so.
We also thought it was interesting to see initiative and responsibility as two of the most commonly selected answers for this question. Obviously, initiative is important and many community members agree. Having the drive to go to school, work hard, earn a degree (or two), get a well-paying job, raise a family, etc., are goals many people would classify as initiative leading to success. And in order to achieve these goals and become successful, a person must take on the responsibilities that come along with them.
Implications for K-12 Schools:
Although it may be difficult to teach so many diverse life and career skills, it is certainly not impossible. Teachers should be dedicated to making sure their students are growing personally, socially, and academically. Something as simple as changing around the layout of the classroom, switching up the daily schedule, or assigning different types of homework could encourage students to adapt to a variety of situations while simultaneously holding students responsible for their daily tasks and expectations. Asking students to work in varied groups would also encourage students to socialize and work with peers with whom they have not interacted previously. Lastly, finding incentives for students using a combination of positive reinforcement, professional support, and extrinsic rewards might encourage them to foster the responsibility that drives initiative.
Adaptability was by far the most popular response for this question, and it is interesting to think about how relevant it is in society. Our world is always changing, especially now that technology has a greater influence than ever before. It makes sense that people would believe that in order to be successful, a person has to be willing and able to adapt to a variety of circumstances and learn the personal, professional, and social skills needed to do so.
We also thought it was interesting to see initiative and responsibility as two of the most commonly selected answers for this question. Obviously, initiative is important and many community members agree. Having the drive to go to school, work hard, earn a degree (or two), get a well-paying job, raise a family, etc., are goals many people would classify as initiative leading to success. And in order to achieve these goals and become successful, a person must take on the responsibilities that come along with them.
Implications for K-12 Schools:
Although it may be difficult to teach so many diverse life and career skills, it is certainly not impossible. Teachers should be dedicated to making sure their students are growing personally, socially, and academically. Something as simple as changing around the layout of the classroom, switching up the daily schedule, or assigning different types of homework could encourage students to adapt to a variety of situations while simultaneously holding students responsible for their daily tasks and expectations. Asking students to work in varied groups would also encourage students to socialize and work with peers with whom they have not interacted previously. Lastly, finding incentives for students using a combination of positive reinforcement, professional support, and extrinsic rewards might encourage them to foster the responsibility that drives initiative.