MWSU Master Academic Plan Global Initiative #2:
Essential Skills Acquisition
As part of our current Master Academic Plan, Missouri Western State University is committed to engaging 100% of our students in at least one guided experience directly related to essential skills acquisition prior to graduation.
These experiences are designed to develop critical thinking, ethical decision making, teamwork, communication skills, problem solving skills, work ethic, flexibility and adaptability, and interpersonal skills transferable to career readiness.
Definitions Associated with Essential Skills Acquisition
Career Readiness
“Career readiness is a foundation from which to demonstrate requisite core competencies that broadly prepare the college educated for success in the workplace and lifelong career management.” NACE Career Competencies 2021
https://www.naceweb.org/uploadedfiles/files/2021/resources/nace-career-readiness-competencies-revised-apr-2021.pdf
Career Ready Competencies (Essential Workplace Skills)
- Career & Self Development
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Equity & Inclusion
- Leadership
- Professionalism
- Teamwork
- Technology
ESA Guided Experience
An experience specifically designed to train and assess a student in one or more of the career ready competencies. Guided experiences may occur within both credit and co-curricular context. An ESA guided experience articulates student learning outcome(s) associated with one or more career competency. Examples might include, but are not limited to
- A credit bearing course such as a course in oral or written communication.
- A lesson within a course such as a career planning module in a senior seminar. Updated 07/12/2022 – Griffon Office of Applied Learning
- An internship where a student receives training in, and subsequently engages in, a career competency area.
- Working as a student employee where a student receives training in, and subsequently engages in, a career competency area.
- Serving in a leadership or management role within a registered student organization where training is provided in a competency area.
Skill/Competency | Definition | Definition Example Behaviors |
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Career & Self Development | Proactively develop oneself and one’s career through continual personal and professional learning, awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses, navigation of career opportunities, and networking to build relationships within and without one’s organization. |
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Communication | Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts, and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization. |
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Critical Thinking | Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information. |
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Equity & Inclusion | Demonstrate the awareness, attitude, knowledge, and skills required to equitably engage and include people from different local and global cultures. Engage in anti-racist practices that actively challenge the systems, structures, and policies of racism. |
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Leadership | Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals. |
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Professionalism | Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace. |
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Teamwork | Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities. |
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Technology | Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks, and accomplish goals. |
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