Desired Attributes of A College Graduate

While all employers and recruiters expect college graduates to be "sound" in their academic field of study (you have to know your stuff), there are other attributes that are sought when evaluating a job-applicant and/or a college graduate.  The Dean's Advisory Council for the NMU College of Business recently listed the following important characteristics sought.

Communication Skills

• Ability to speak to a group
• Ability to talk about past experiences
• Well-developed listening skills
• Ability to sell themselves - if they can sell themselves, they can sell their ideas

Positive Attitude

• Enthusiastic about learning and about the task at hand
• Desire to be challenged and hungry to succeed
• Energetic; strong work ethic (goal oriented and focused); well organized
• Punctual
• Appearance consistent with work environment
• Self-aware (all students should be aware that they have to figure out what their personal brand is...and sell it)

"Others" Oriented

• Customer, colleague, and client focused
• Team player - people that contribute to the enhancement of a team and goal attainment.

Experience and Leadership

• Internship experience
• Evidence of success working independently
• Ability to think outside of the box
• Leadership experience

Knowledge

• A broad understanding of the community and current world events
• Excellent technology skills
• Willingness to admit mistakes

The Dean's Advisory Council are senior and experienced managers and successful entrepreneurs from a wide range of industries, big and small, regional and national.

_{May, 2009}