University: Knowledge and So Much More

A common criticism of university these days is that grads leave with “book smarts” but little in the way of hands-on experience—this is why many universities are now trying to grow their experiential learning offering.

I want to argue that, apart from theoretical knowledge, university is a great place to acquire many of the “soft skills” that smart employers value in any candidate. I can name at least five such skills associated with the university experience:

Time management. Keeping life balanced between university, work, family and friends requires good time-management skills. Obviously, some people know how to do this even before they start university. Others learn through trial and error. Finally, some turn to expert sources, be it a workshop, training course or book. Whatever the method, good time management is an essential ingredient of success both in school and in any future career, and university is a “boot camp” for acquiring this skill.

Self-discipline. You need focus to pursue your goals while ignoring distractions that come up along the way. While some people are naturally better at this than others, evidence suggests self-discipline is like a muscle that can be developed through training. As with your muscles, however, you should not overdo your self-discipline training; once you’ve exhausted it, temptations come calling. University is like a well-equipped gym for your willpower!

Resiliency. Going through university will, at times, mean working under severe pressure. The reality is, Canadian workplaces are not much more comfortable in that regard. According to Statistics Canada, around 22 percent of Canadian employees report that most of their days are either fairly or extremely stressful. An ability to overcome difficulties with dignity and recover quickly from stress is called resiliency. Highly resilient people are generally happier, healthier and more confident.

Research and critical thinking. At university you spend a lot of time searching for and processing new information. The instructors won’t give you the answers—it’s your task to find them. Similarly, in the workplace you will rarely have exact instructions on how to reach a goal dictated to you by your boss, but you will still be expected to accomplish it. An ability to find the right information and critically process it is a valuable skill regardless of where you work.

Networking. As American sociologist Mark Granovetter notes, a network of weak ties is even more beneficial than a few close friendships because it leads to a broader range of possible connections. Most of your university classmates will find good careers in your field and some will even become exceptionally successful. Never underestimate the power of knowing these people and keeping in touch with them. An ability to establish and maintain networks is one of the core skills of a successful person as it opens up an almost endless amount of opportunities.

The value of university is as much about acquiring knowledge as about acquiring the most essential skills of a 21^st century employee. If treated seriously, university imparts valuable lessons on perseverance, communication and leadership, all of which are essential to a successful career—in any field.