The global job market is changing fast. Having a complete and well-balanced set of skills isn’t just important – it’s a must. You need a mix of technical skills like data analytics and practical AI know-how, coupled with soft skills such as communication and adaptability. This blend is key to success in today’s work environment.
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is leading the way in creating a holistic learning experience to help students develop these important skills. With these employable skills, students can walk with confidence into many different career paths.
In today’s working world, adaptability, one of the most in-demand skills for graduates, has become super important for those who want to do well. Technology is advancing rapidly, and market conditions are always changing. This means industries are constantly in a state of transformation. A World Economic Forum report states that by 2025, many jobs will need skills that are yet to be in high demand right now. This shows how crucial it is for graduates to be adaptable and keep up with the changes as they come.
SIM helps students develop these key skills in many ways. Students are given the opportunity and assistance to successfully navigate challenges in the classroom and beyond.
Student clubs are a great place for students to gain practical experience in working with others in a dynamic environment. Take the SIM Entrepreneurship Club, for instance. It holds monthly events focused on startups. Club members take up the responsibility of project management, like choosing a venue, marketing the event, and making sure it runs smoothly.
If something unexpected happens, in the event of a keynote speaker cancelling at the last minute, they have to come up with new plans quickly. This not only improves their crisis management skills but also teaches them to think fast and adapt to sudden changes.
In the highly competitive job market, employers value candidates who can carefully study complex situations and make smart, sensible decisions. The programmes and co-curricular activities at SIM GE are designed to help students develop these skills. Besides case studies and group projects, students get exposure to real-world business problems via hackathons, industry visits, and industry-specific seminars.
For example, students may be asked to review a case study of a multinational consumer goods firm like Procter & Gamble. They may have to examine its performance to identify opportunities and threats. This means looking closely at financial information, such as quarterly sales numbers, the cost of making products, and how much is spent on marketing.
In this instance, they may also keep an eye on market trends. For instance, more and more consumers are preferring sustainably produced products. By assessing Procter & Gamble’s current business plans, like how it manages its product range and runs marketing campaigns, students learn to think critically. They are encouraged to think about different perspectives, including those of customers, competitors, and shareholders.
A McKinsey study showed that companies with a strong critical – -thinking culture are 23 times more likely to be more profitable than average. This practical experience gives students the confidence to handle tough challenges in the business world. They can then come up with useful and effective solutions, like suggesting new product lines or improving marketing strategies.
Read More: Critical Thinking & Reasoning: Your Superpower To Reach Your Goals
3. Communication Skill
Strong communication skills are essential in every job, no matter what industry you’re in. Whether you’re working as part of a team, dealing with clients, or leading projects, being able to communicate well is a must. The survey conducted by the Project Management Institute (PMI) in 2013 that found poor communication is responsible for nearly 56% of project failures in the United States.
At SIM GE, students can make use of a myriad of resources available through the Career Connect office. Regularly held workshops and seminars help students improve their writing and speaking skills. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is crucial to develop cross-cultural communication skills that effectively bridge understanding between people from different backgrounds.
Take a multinational company like HSBC, for example. Employees would need to communicate clearly and tactfully with clients and colleagues from different cultural backgrounds. A loan officer, for instance, has to be able to explain complicated financial products to customers so that they can easily understand, regardless of their culture or education level.
Students at SIM GE take part in role-play activities during communication workshops. They might act out a meeting with a client, where they have to present a business plan. By getting feedback from trainers and fellow students, they learn to organize their presentations better, use the right language, and share their ideas in a more interesting way.
In today’s workplaces, leadership and teamwork go hand in hand. Employers look for graduates who can both lead projects and work well in diverse teams. A Harvard Business Review study in 2016 shows that teams with good leadership and collaboration skills are 1.7 times more likely to produce high-quality work.
At SIM GE, students get plenty of chances to develop these skills. For instance, Student Ambassadors comprise students with leadership potential who contribute actively to events. During events like open houses or international student exchanges, they lead teams and coordinate with other students. They must manage their teams, set goals, and make sure the events run without a hitch.
Being on the Student Council is also a great experience. These councils organize events that engage student communities such as annual festivals. Council members need to work together, leveraging each other’s strengths. They also learn to sort out conflicts, like disagreements over event themes or how to allocate the budget.
In the business world, companies such as Google depend on cross-functional teams made up of software engineers, designers, and marketers. Graduates from SIM GE who have strong leadership and teamwork skills are well-placed to contribute effectively in these collaborative work environments.
Knowing how businesses work and keeping up with industry trends is important if you want to be employable. It’s one of the most sought-after skills in today’s job market. A recent survey by the Association of Graduate Recruiters in the UK in 2022 showed that commercial awareness, an essential skill, is among the top five skills employers look for in graduates.
SIM GE helps students develop this key skill of commercial awareness in different ways. One important method is connecting students with industry experts via Career Connect events. For example, when senior executives from companies like L’oreal Singapore conduct corporate visits, students learn about the beauty industry. They discover how products are developed, what marketing strategies are used, and how the company stays competitive. All this helps them improve their commercial awareness.
SIM frequently collaborates with corporate partners like KPMG and UOB Bank to bring similar experiences to students. These visits allow students to see how these organizations operate, which further boosts their commercial awareness. At KPMG, they might learn about new trends in auditing, like how data analytics is being used more in the audit process. At UOB Bank, they can find out about the bank’s digital transformation plans and new job opportunities in fintech. All these experiences help students develop these vital skill for their future jobs.
The skill of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data is now very much in demand. Employers in all kinds of industries know how powerful it is to make decisions based on data. A Gartner study forecasts that by 2025, 80% of data-heavy organizations will be using AI-enhanced analytics.
Graduates who can work with data analytics tools like Python (along with libraries like Pandas and NumPy for handling data) or R, and who understand how to use tools like Tableau or PowerBI for data visualization, are highly wanted in the job market.
The
data analytics programme at SIM is good for developing data analytics skills. It covers important areas in detail, such as data collection, cleaning, and analysis. By focusing on useful tools like Python libraries and data visualization software, students get practical experience. The experienced faculty can further train their practical abilities, getting graduates well-prepared for jobs that rely on data.
AI has now become an indispensable tool in businesses. The digital revolution, driven by AI, is changing how industries operate incredibly fast. A McKinsey Global Institute report forecasts that by 2030, AI could add as much as $13 trillion to the global economy.
Employers in various sectors, from healthcare to finance, are keen to hire graduates who are proficient in AI technologies. In healthcare, graduates with AI knowledge can help utilise diagnostic tools more effectively. For example, AI algorithms can examine medical images like X-rays and MRIs to spot diseases early. In the finance sector, they can help create models to predict risk. For instance, banks can use AI to predict the chances of loan defaults, considering different factors.
The
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science focusing on Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence at SIM is great for developing AI skills. Students learn basic AI concepts, machine-learning algorithms, and relevant programming. The course may also include practical applications and industry-related projects. This helps students get well-prepared for jobs centred around AI.
At
SIM GE, the focus goes beyond just academic learning. The institute is committed to helping students develop a diverse, all-rounded skill set for the competitive global job market.
Learning projects and industry placements help students gain practical work experience, using the skills they’ve learned in a professional environment. Complimentary workshops made available to SIM students cover various topics, from technical skills like data analytics and AI to soft skills such as communication and adaptability.
Students also get the opportunity to interact directly with industry experts through collaborations and events on campus. This gives them insights into current industry practices and future trends. By mastering these seven in-demand skills, SIM GE students are well-prepared for career growth in any industry, ready to meet employers’ changing needs worldwide.
