Am I Career Ready

The National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE) has identified eight competencies that will give you a professional edge. Employers want to hire applicants who have these in-demand skills and strengths.

Competencies for a Career-Ready Workforce

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.

Communication

Clearly and effectively exchange information, ideas, facts and perspectives with persons inside and outside of an organization.

Critical Thinking

Identify and respond to needs based upon an understanding of situational context and logical analysis of relevant information.

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.

Leadership

Recognize and capitalize on personal and team strengths to achieve organizational goals.

Professionalism

Knowing work environments differ greatly, understand and demonstrate effective work habits, and act in the interest of the larger community and workplace.

Teamwork

Build and maintain collaborative relationships to work effectively toward common goals, while appreciating diverse viewpoints and shared responsibilities.

Technology

Understand and leverage technologies ethically to enhance efficiencies, complete tasks and accomplish goals.

What Is 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

Courtesy of NACE Career Readiness Competencies, naceweb.org/career-readiness-competencies

  • Find “Am I Career Ready” under FOCUS in your MyNTC account. Click on the FOCUS icon under student resources.
  • Take self-assessments in the various competencies listed to assess and strengthen your career readiness. Employers have identified these eight areas; learn how you can enhance your employability on these in-demand skills.