Top most wanted skills

We asked 22 employers in Computer Science related industries what their top skills would be. Here they are:

• Dependability*
• Commitment*
• Enthusiasm/Willingness to learn*
• Work Ethic*
• Cooperation
• Timekeeping/Punctuality
• Adaptability
• Planning/Organisation
• Problem solving*
• Team working
• Understanding of concepts*

But what do the students thing are important? We asked some first year students in the Computer Science department. Reassuringly, there were some overlap skills (indicated by *).

Timekeeping/Punctuality

Adaptability

Planning/Organisation

So what about the skills that didn't seem so important to students but are to employers? We could promote the need for timekeeping (don't be late to lectures!). Challenging courses can keep them on their toes and improve adaptability. What about that old favourite "planning and organisation"..usually a challenge for most working people! This week my 9 year old son had a lesson in planning and organisation-- getting up at the crack of dawn for emergency homework sessions are no fun. What about students? We can help them by not cramming all assessments right at the last week of term but this is a skill that they need to learn from a very young age.....as my son found out this week.