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SKILLS NEEDED IN THE 21st CENTURY WORKPLACE: A COMPARISON OF FEEDBACK FROM UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS ALUMNI AND EMPLOYERS WITH A NATIONAL STUDY

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  • Diane M. Holtzman
  • Ellen M, Kraft

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine what skills alumni from Richard Stockton College of New Jersey (RSC) and regional employers think are important for the workplace. The results of the RSC study were compared to results from the report, College Learning for the New Global Century, sponsored by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. Managing time, speaking/oral communications skills, and having strong interpersonal skills were in the top five skills identified by both employers and alumni of The Richard Stockton College. A statistically significant greater percentage of employers who participated in the study commissioned by the Association of American Colleges and Universities identified knowledge of global issues as being an essential learning outcome compared with the employers and alumni surveyed in the RSC study who identified knowledge of global issues as being a very important or important skill for the workplace. The lower priority given to global issues and international perspectives by employers and alumni in this study may have been due to the location of their workplaces. Respondents to the surveys were located primarily in the central and southern areas of New Jersey where industries and corporations had a regional rather than an international focus. Faculty in the School of Business should consider incorporating those skills identified as important or very important by the majority of alumni and employers into the curriculum as well as emphasizing global issues in their courses.

Suggested Citation

  • Diane M. Holtzman & Ellen M, Kraft, 2011. "SKILLS NEEDED IN THE 21st CENTURY WORKPLACE: A COMPARISON OF FEEDBACK FROM UNDERGRADUATE BUSINESS ALUMNI AND EMPLOYERS WITH A NATIONAL STUDY," Business Education and Accreditation, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 3(1), pages 61-76.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibf:beaccr:v:3:y:2011:i:1:p:61-76
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Stasz, Cathleen, 2001. "Assessing Skills for Work: Two Perspectives," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 53(3), pages 385-405, July.
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    AASCB accreditation; accountability in higher education; skills; business graduates;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • A23 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - Graduate
    • M00 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - General - - - General

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