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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
This study presents preliminary results of the PSP Project, addressing students‟ soft skills development within the context of HEI. Theoretical framework is grounded in Person-Environment Fit theories (Rounds & Hesketh, 1994), and also in Evans (2001) starfish model. Study 1 aimed to identify Economics and Business graduates‟ Market-Valued Skills Profile, collecting data through semi-structured interviews with HR managers and former students focus groups. Study 2 assessed students‟ confidence level regarding skills using a self-report questionnaire (Miles & Grummon, 2006). Career development representations were also assessed (Savickas, 2002; Gonçalves, 2006).
Additional data was collected through open-ended questions focusing on work and other extracurricular experiences. Results from Study 1 highlight soft skills as multidimensional construct where different interrelated skills contribute to graduates‟ employability. Study 2 reveals students‟ positive self-perception regarding those skills, although limited vocational experiences were reported.
Description
Keywords
Soft Skills Career development higher education students employability
Citation
Oliveira, E., Sottomayor, M., Meireles, A., Martins, A. Rocha, M. (2010). Building up Undergraduate Skills – empirical evidence from a Portuguese University. Working Papers: Management. N.º 2, 23 p.