An examination of the transfer of skills from an academic activity into the soft skills required for employment in the legal field.
Summary
This is a report detailing findings of academic activities that facilitate the transfer of soft skills required in employment in the legal field. It explores several of these academic activities and goes ahead to expound on the related soft skills. The purpose of the report is to showcase how fresh graduates entering the marketplace can use relevant skills acquired in the university to develop soft skills for the workplace.
Transferable skills are soft skills that can be applied in different activities and jobs. They enable the flexibility and adaptability of the employee in case there is a need to change jobs. One can use a soft skill such as strong interpersonal skills to do a particular job or effective communication skills in another.
The key findings of the report are learning, leadership, listening, writing, information technology and self-management skills
In conclusion, the report recommends that there is a need for institutions of higher learning to make transferable skills explicit in the curricula. Students should engage in academic activities that foster development of soft skills in the employment context.
1. Introduction
This is a report that examines the transfer of skills from an academic activity into the soft skills required for the employment specific careers path.
Universities offer a series of training to students to equip them with the necessary skills required in the contemporary marketplace. Various academic activities are programmed in line with the training. These activities seek to impart certain skills such as communication, learning, team working, self-management among others.
Soft skills acquired from academic activities are necessary and vital in the performance of any job. They enable one to adapt easily and be flexible in the office. Changing from one job to the other or a career change becomes easier if one possesses soft skills which are transferable. Chances of a graduate landing a job are high when they have acquired a set of soft skills.
The scope of this paper and report is limited to academic activities in a specific career path. Sources that have contributed to the report include academic journals and related books.
The method used to gather information for the report is research methodology.
2. Literature Review
Transferable skills are acquired and required in the course of performing any job. They are needed to boost flexibility and adaptability in the workplace. These skills are relevant and helpful across an array of different jobs. Examples include interpersonal skills such as the ability to work well with others, communication skills, organizational skills, creativity, problem-solving, leadership among others. Fresh graduates who possess these skills that are more productive in a business organization and the marketplace. It is also important because employers generally look for potential employees who can demonstrate a good set of transferable skills. By definition, skill is an ability that is learned over time through concerted effort to yield pre-determined results in an activity or a job. On the other hand, transferable in this context means able to be conveyed from one job to the next or from one situation to another.
Employees need to be adaptable and flexible to meet the demands of the changing work environment. The soft skills give an employee a competitive edge over other potential employees. Businesses and other organizations profit from a workforce that employs the use of soft skills. Clients and customers, on the other hand, benefit by getting improved services and better goods.
3. Findings
3.1 Learning
Learning is one of the core methods of imparting knowledge. Institutions of higher education use learning tools to impart their graduates with requisite skills needed in the workplace. In the university, students are guided by tutors through different learning techniques. They include research methodology, reading of text materials, academic writing, group discussions and class presentations.
Learning as a skill used in the university may translate to the graduate acquiring a set of soft employment skills. For example, a law graduate may acquire research and analytical skills derived from learning about research methodology. You’ll experience the importance and value of legal research and writing when a client seeks your help to challenge an insurance contract, to sue for wrongful dismissal, or to defend them in a corporate dispute. Legal research will assist you to locate, comprehend, and apply the law. Performing sound legal research in this way will provide you with the foundation you need to proceed confidently and achieve the desired outcome for your client.
3.2 Leadership
Different study programs encourage the development of leadership skills in students. Group studies and discussions are commonplace within the universities. Most times, a fellow student is appointed as a team leader or group leader. Their work is to coordinate basically the members and ensure the achievement of the group’s objectives. The position could rotate among the members for a given period of time to offer an equal chance.
Leadership skill is nurtured in this way and becomes important once the graduate ventures into the market. For a law graduate, the soft skill gained is organizational ability. He or she will be in a position to effectively lead a team, do proper filing of cases, prioritize client issues and so forth. The graduate can apply management skills in the instance of opening up their own law firm.
3.3 Listening
Listening activities constitute a major proportion of the various academic activities undertaken in institutions of higher learning. Most learning involves listening, for example, class seminars, group discussions, presentations, and tutorials. It is, therefore, critical that a student master listening as a skill. Employers frequently complain about their staff’s inability to listen effectively. effective listening is one of the most important skills we can develop in the performance of our jobs.
In legal practice, a lawyer will utilize their listening skills in order to discharge their services. Court proceedings, interviews, and interrogation will require effective listening skills.
3.4 Writing
Writing as an academic activity involves usage of language to produce a text in print or electronic format. Students engage in academic writing during the course of their study. It is a skill that is developed through written examinations, assignments, essays, dissertations, project reports and research papers. In other words, a student engages the lecturer or the facilitator by submitting written work for evaluation purposes.
Writing as a skill endows the graduate with good communication skills. Many jobs will require an element of writing skills. For example, an individual may be required to adapt their writing style and format frequently in producing reports, or marketing materials, letters or emails, and you may have to write for clients, shareholders and colleagues. As a lawyer, you will need to write submissions, correspondence, draft legal documents to ensure proper and effective communication. Development of this skill will boost your productive output.
3.4 Information Technology
Use of information technology is widespread in today’s learning. A majority of students are trained in and possesses basic IT skills. Online learning as a tool requires the use of the internet and the computer. Texts and source materials are increasingly being stored in online repositories. Soft boards and projectors are used in class, and the student operates a personal computer such as a laptop to facilitate learning. The basic information technology skills taught include the use of word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, multimedia, the internet, databases among others.
Far from the basic skills taught in the university, the graduate acquires certain soft skills necessary for employment. This may include confidence in using a computer, learning to use new software and hardware easily, being able to troubleshoot basic computer problems and appreciating privacy concerns.
For the law practitioner, the soft skills gained will enable the use of technology for research purposes. Communication through email and teleconferencing for long distance clients will be possible.
3.5 Self-management
Self –management is a key skill that helps one throughout their academic life. It involves management of time and setting of goals. One develops concentration skills and avoids procrastination when practicing self-management. In the university, every activity is scheduled. A student has to organize their attendance of class and participation in extra-curricular activities. Some institutions put in place strict schedule guidelines leaving the student with no option but to develop effective self-management skills.
In the workplace, the graduate who has developed this skill acquires soft skills enabling them to prioritize, plan, breaking things into small, manageable pieces, goal setting, time management and specificity.
A practicing lawyer will heavily rely on these soft skills. For example, he or she will have to arrange his work in order of priority. He may also need to set specific goals geared towards achieving particular objectives. Without proper planning, a lawyer may incur a loss of clients thus leading to poor performance.
4. Conclusion
Major universities globally are increasingly required to produce numerous and highly skilled graduates who will be able to respond to the ever-changing and complex needs of the contemporary workplace. Transferable skills are at the forefront in distinguishing exemplary graduates from the rest. Employers are searching for people who can effectively apply soft skills in the business environment to ensure success. The growing market trends have forced institutions of higher learning to incorporate academic activities that nurture soft skills required for employment in a specific career path.
The skills can be transferred from one situation to another creating versatility in the workplace. Legal practice requires professionals who can handle the exigencies and demands of the profession. The law is a social science and will, therefore, require the practitioners to exercise interpersonal skills such as working well with others. Effective communication will greatly impact on the delivery of legal services as will proper planning.
In the findings gathered from this report, certain skills appear to be more important in the field of law. Good communication skills and self-management rank first in order of importance. These skills will enable the lawyer to perform well in the discharge of his duties and satisfaction of clients.
Bibliography
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