4 Skills Students Need to Thrive in College and Careers

The future is always uncertain—otherwise, it wouldn’t be the future. But with technology changing the way the world works, the future is more uncertain for rising high school students than ever before. As graduation approaches, big questions loom: Go to work or go to college? Learn a trade or learn to code? Will artificial intelligence render my skills redundant?

With so many unknowns, high school students urgently need human skills that equip them for success no matter what the future holds. These skills include communication, collaboration, relationship-building, social and situational awareness, resilience, and more. These are skills that help them connect with others, adapt to new environments, discover purpose and motivation, and remain positive in the face of obstacles. Whether they decide to start their careers, go on to college, or join the armed services, human skills aren’t just nice to have—they’re evergreen and future-proof.

Looking for work? Employers are looking for human skills

Don’t just take our word for it. Companies like Starbucks, Microsoft, FedEx, and Google are putting a premium on human skills in their workplaces—even citing them as more important than the technical skills that can be learned on the job or in training. Across professional sectors, employers are seeking candidates with above-average abilities in areas like responsible decision-making, communication and feedback, self-management and self-awareness, and relationship skills.

A free Second Step® guide to college and career readiness

To help educators understand the crucial link between human skills and college and workforce readiness, we created this free guide: “Pathways to Possibility: Second Step® High School College and Career Readiness Guide.”

Before you explore the detailed guide, here’s how four critical human skills help students succeed in college and their careers.

1. Smart decision-making makes a difference

In the workplace, abstract knowledge will only get you so far. To thrive in their careers, young people need to possess a strong ability to make sound, responsible decisions, often in high-pressure scenarios. The same can be said in college, where success requires more than just mastery of academic material. To thrive in both college and careers, rising students urgently need to strengthen their ability to weigh consequences, predict outcomes, and make mature, intelligent decisions about real-world scenarios.

2. Great communicators break through

From instant messaging to video conferencing, the methods of communication are always changing. But no matter how the tools change, excellent communicators will always find a way to get their message across. That’s why communication skills, including the ability to give and receive feedback, are highly desirable for workers and students. Second Step High School gives students ample opportunities to ask questions, give and receive feedback, and share ideas about important school and real-world issues.

3. A sense of self is essential

Self-management, self-awareness, and self-efficacy are all closely related human skills. They help us understand who we are and how we’re uniquely wired. They’re also vital for success in college and the professional world, where the supportive structures of high school and adolescence fall away. In college, students need above-average self-efficacy to manage academic schedules, make deadlines, and stay motivated. In work, employees need self-management to handle complex feelings and thoughts and self-awareness to navigate situations with professionalism.

4. Relationship skills matter more than ever

Even as the world rapidly changes, relationships remain at the core of both professional and academic life, and the ability to build and maintain healthy relationships remains indispensable. Whether between students and professors, employees and managers, dorm roommates, or coworkers, relationships are the glue that holds both colleges and workplaces together. Students with strong relationship skills can resolve conflicts, collaborate effectively, and create networks that support them through challenges. In today’s interconnected world, these abilities don’t just make life easier—they open doors to opportunity.

Preparing students for tomorrow’s world with human skills

The transition from high school to college or the workforce is one of the most pivotal moments in a young person’s life. By strengthening decision-making, communication, self-awareness, and relationship skills, educators can prepare students for the possibilities of the future. With programs like Second Step High School and the free resource “Pathways to Possibility: Second Step High School College and Career Readiness Guide,” educators can ensure students are equipped with the tools they need to thrive in college, their careers, and beyond.

To learn more about how Second Step High School can help high schoolers in your district thrive after graduation, request a free consultation today.