What we think students know but don’t!
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, most of our education and work experiences incorporated soft skills. In fact, it was common for a fifteen-year-old teenager to have their driver’s license and a part-time job. In those days we ate supper together as a family every evening. We had one television in the house where we gathered at 6 o’clock to watch the evening news. We had the influence of our parents and our grandparents in our upbringing. When it was time to graduate from high school, we all aspired to attend college.
Our education system has moved away from teaching the soft skills in the classroom. We no longer eat supper together as a family or have the influence of our grandparents in our upbringing. Our kids spend more time on YouTube, Social Media, or Netflix than interacting with each other or playing outside. Playtime was an important time for kids growing up and we learned to problem solve, manage conflict, and communicate in general. Students are putting off getting their driver’s license until they are eighteen years old. Part-time jobs are not a priority which brings me to my point.
Why aren’t schools doing more to develop and teach soft skills?
Soft skills or employability skills are probably more important than hard skills. We must have the soft skills to be a decent human being and to work with others. We are hired on hard skills, but soft skills help you keep your job. Success!
The current curriculum of grades PreK-12 as well as higher education does not focus on soft skills. Of course, the burden cannot be all on the education system. Businesses must also take responsibility by offering internship opportunities to our students.
What are these soft skills anyways? Stay tuned!
