Oliveira, EvaSottomayor, MiguelMeireles, A.Martins, A.Rocha, M.2018-07-182018-07-182010Oliveira, 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.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.14/25231This 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.engSoft SkillsCareer developmenthigher education studentsemployabilityworking paper