“The chain of poverty binds wisdom,” this proverb affirms the reality of many businesses lamenting the skills of fresh graduate students. Indeed, many students, despite achieving high scores, lack the necessary skills to adapt to the working environment, forcing businesses to spend time and effort on retraining from scratch. So, what are the reasons behind students’ skill deficiencies? Should businesses change their mindset, or does education need to change to meet practical needs?
Employers Rate Students Skill-Lacking: An Alarming Reality
According to a survey by [Vietnamese Expert Name], over 80% of businesses assess that fresh graduate students lack soft skills, particularly communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and critical thinking. Stories of academically excellent students who lack etiquette, responsibility, or are afraid of difficulties, changes, and learning are becoming a growing concern for many businesses.
Soft Skills: Bridging the Gap Between Academia and Industry
Soft skills are crucial for students’ success in their careers and lives. These skills help them adapt to the work environment, communicate effectively, solve problems creatively, and collaborate efficiently in teams.
Why Are Students Lacking Skills?
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There are several reasons contributing to the reality of students lacking skills, including:
- Curriculum: Many curricula still focus on theoretical knowledge, lacking practical application and real-world experience. Students are taught how to solve textbook problems but are not equipped with the necessary skills to solve real-world issues.
- Teaching Methods: Traditional, passive teaching methods make students passive and lack initiative in learning. Students only receive knowledge one-way, without opportunities to explore, create, and develop skills on their own.
- Learning Environment: The learning environment is not engaging enough, lacking extracurricular activities and practical projects that help students develop soft skills.
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Furthermore, family factors also significantly contribute to students’ skill development. Some families have overprotective lifestyles, not encouraging their children to be independent and self-reliant, leading to students lacking confidence, being afraid of challenges, and hesitant to face difficulties.
Should Employers Adapt or Education Reform?
The question is whether businesses need to change their mindset or education needs to change to address the reality of students’ skill deficiencies?
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In fact, both businesses and education need to change to align with practical needs.
- Businesses: Need to have a multi-dimensional view of students’ skills, not just evaluating based on grades but also considering practical application abilities, soft skills, and a willingness to learn. Businesses also need to invest in training and support students in developing skills during their work.
- Education: Needs to innovate teaching methods, incorporate practical elements into the curriculum, create a dynamic learning environment, and encourage students to self-learn and self-explore.
According to Professor [Vietnamese Expert Name], “Education needs to change to meet the needs of society, equipping students with the necessary knowledge, skills, and qualities to succeed in life.”
Student Advice: It’s Never Too Late to Develop Skills
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Whether you are a freshman or a senior, no matter what major you are studying, never think that it is too late to develop skills. Take the initiative to seek opportunities to hone soft skills, join clubs, extracurricular activities, and internships at businesses.
Remember: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” (Nelson Mandela – Corrected quote for relevance).
Contact us – SOFT SKILLS to receive advice and support in improving your soft skills. Phone Number: 0372666666, Address: 55 To Tien Thanh, Hanoi. We have a 24/7 customer care team.
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