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OUP Australia

Soft Skills for Graduate Employability

A small group of people gathered around a table, collaborating and discussing notes and open books in a bright, modern workspace.

Preparing graduates for what comes next

The Australian student voice on the soft skills needed for future employment and how universities can integrate these skills into their teaching.
Cover of an Oxford publication titled “The Australian student voice on the soft skills needed for the future”. The subtitle reads “And how universities can integrate these skills into their teaching”. The design features a teal overlay on an image of people sitting at a table with notebooks and papers, suggesting a collaborative learning environment. A small label at the bottom right indicates November 2020.

What does the paper cover?

In a fast-evolving 21st century, it is becoming increasingly important for students to develop their soft skill competencies alongside the technical skills required for their career. As more and more employers are seeking to employ graduates with a wide portfolio of soft skills, it is crucial that educators integrate the teaching of these soft skills into their courses.

This paper reviews the findings from a survey of Australian higher education students on which soft skills they believe to be the most important for future career success. It also consults eight academic experts on:

  • What these soft skills are
  • Why they are important
  • How universities can integrate the most needed soft skills into their teaching
  • How these soft skills can be put into practice

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