What soft skills do recent graduates need to succeed in optics and photonics industry? What soft skills are these recent graduates most lacking? To address these questions, SPIE conducted a survey of executives and human resource managers at its industry partners. Examples of soft skills include communication, teamwork, and leadership.
Main findings:
| • | Most employers report that fewer than half of recent graduates are fully prepared with the soft skills required for success at their companies. |
| • | Industry leaders tell SPIE that the most important soft skills for success at their companies are (1) collaboration and teamwork, (2) problem solving, and (3) adaptability and flexibility. |
| • | The soft skills most lacking in recent graduates are (1) project and time management, (2) openness to criticism and responsiveness to feedback, and (3) leadership. |
Soft skills that are most important for success in industry
| 1 | Collaboration and teamwork |
| 2 | Problem solving |
| 3 | Adaptability and flexibility |
| 4 | Communication and presentation skills |
| 5 | Project and time management |
| 6 | Openness to criticism and responsiveness to feedback |
| 7 | Leadership |
| 8 | Ability to influence and persuade colleagues |
Soft skills recent graduates are most likely to lack
| 1 | Project and time management |
| 2 | Openness to criticism and responsiveness to feedback |
| 3 | Leadership |
| 4 | Ability to influence and persuade colleagues |
| 5 | Communication and presentation skills |
| 6 | Problem solving |
| 7 | Adaptability and flexibility |
| 8 | Collaboration and teamwork |
Resources SPIE offers to help hone these skills
For more original research on the optics and photonics workplace, visit the SPIE Global Salary Hub.
