You’ve probably heard the term ‘employability’ before, but what does it really mean and how do you become employable? Let’s explore the essential skills you need (and why) in your journey from degree to career.
Choosing to study at university is one of the most exciting life decisions you will make. It’s a great way to work towards your dream career and develop all-important skills at the same time – skills that will help you no matter where you decide to go in life. These are known as employability skills, and with the average Australian changing their career five to seven times over a lifetime, they’ve never been more important.
What exactly are employability skills?
These are essential, transferable skills that make you attractive to potential employers no matter what industry you’re interested in. Being able to showcase these skills stands you in good stead for landing your first job and embarking on a successful long-term career.
Some of the most sought-after employability skills from employers include:
- Problem-solving and critical thinking
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Organisation
- Adaptability/resilience
- Leadership
- Creativity
- Negotiating
Why do I need these skills?
Landing a job is no longer just about the technical skills or academic knowledge you hold. Today’s employers are searching for candidates who can provide evidence of these in-demand skills. Having these skills demonstrates to an employee that you would be a strong candidate who adds value to their team. These skills will also help you adapt with changing situations throughout your working career and remain competitive in the job market.
How can UWA help me become employable?
These days, employers are looking for well-rounded candidates who have gained experiences outside the classroom, such as work integrated learning, internships, placements, volunteering, or extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.
UWA provides a range of these opportunities to prepare you for your first job and beyond. In fact, we’re ranked in the top 1% of universities around the world for graduate employability (QS Graduate Employability Ranking 2020), meaning our graduates are more likely to pick up the skills and attributes for a successful start in their chosen careers.
Some of the ways you’ll become more employable through your time at UWA include:
UWA Badging Initiative – LAUNCHING SOON!
Be recognised for participating in and completing activities with a digital badge you can share online, demonstrating to potential employers the skills and experience you have gained.
Careers and Employability Award
This award program will provide you with decision-making tools, practical experiences, skills and knowledge to help you embark on an enriching future career.
Practicums and field trips
Many of our degrees incorporate practical units, with workplace and fieldwork placements across 4,500+ industry partners in WA, Australia and even overseas.
Work Integrated Learning
Taken as part of your degree or as an activity that complements your course, Work Integrated Learning (WIL) makes use of our thousands of professional connections to get you invaluable work experience in your chosen field.
Career Mentor Link
There’s nothing quite like having an expert or established industry figure show you the ropes. Career Mentor Link matches you with a professional in your area of interest, who can give you the benefit of their years of experience while you get to know the business.
For more information about becoming employable during your time at UWA, explore our Employability website.
