Career Competencies - Division of Student Affairs

We want students’ employment experience within the Division of Student Affairs to be more than just a paycheck. We believe that every position a student works can help prepare them for their work once they graduate from Iowa State University. The eight Student Employee Career Readiness Competencies, definitions, and related student-employee learning outcomes provide both a framework and a language for describing/defining the competencies that develop through experiences and employment offered in the Division of Student Affairs. The Career Readiness Competencies relate directly to, but are fundamentally separate from, the Co-curricular Learning Domains, or CCLDs. The CRCs allow both employers and employees to have concrete definitions of skills desired by managers and CEOs.

Collaboration and Teamwork

Engage in intentional interactions among groups and/or individuals of differing backgrounds directed at achieving a shared goal. Able to work productively within a team structure, and identify and manage group dynamics.

Communication

Articulate thoughts and concepts clearly and effectively in written and oral forms, in a manner conducive to fostering professional relationships. Including the demonstration of proficient speaking and listening skills, to clearly express oneself and receive ideas of others.

Professionalism

Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits (e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time management) and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image. Demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, act responsibly, and be able to learn from mistakes.

Intercultural Perspectives

Understand personal identities. Value, respect, and learn from divergent viewpoints. Demonstrate openness, inclusiveness, and the ability to interact respectfully with all people. Appreciate individuals’ differences.

Leadership

Identify the strengths of self and others to achieve common goals and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others. Manage emotions and acknowledge those of others to inspire, guide, and empower; and organize, align, and prioritize team tasks for positive change.

Learning and Application

Acquire knowledge, skills, and experiences and apply academic and job-based learning in novel and innovative ways. Application can happen through simple connections among ideas and experiences, to synthesizing and transferring learning in various contexts and environments.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Synthesize existing ideas, images, or expertise in original ways. Design, evaluate and implement strategies or interventions to answer questions, make decisions, or achieve a desired goal.

Technology

Integrate and utilize technology ethically and efficiently, and discern when technology is appropriate to the task at hand. Adapt to new and emerging technologies to complete tasks and accomplish goals based on organizational purpose.

Male student in the library smiling at the person across from him surrounded by other students