Get Your Students Hired
To be an effective teacher, soft skills needs to be at a much higher level that technical skills. You need to be able to associate well with the people you are teaching, the technical skills you already have will be easier to facilitate to your students.
When we look at the job market, we find that entry level positions are generally focused on technical skills, but to move into managerial levels, that is where soft skills be come more important.
In the classroom, adult students vary some will always challenge the instructor, while others will accept what the instructor is telling them. In both instances (students who challenge vs those accepting), it is important for the instructor to understand and be able to communicate to each student to meet their needs. The instructor can do well by developing rapport with students early on to find out how best to present material to the student for their better understanding.
Craig,
I can agree with that. Now that we know that, we can use that information to help them build their soft skills.
Philip Campbell
I believe that an older more focused student would care a little less about soft skills, and concentrate more on the hard skills of the profession they are pursuing.
I agree with this point. I have found that the sooner I can relate with my students, the sooner they will be able to trust me. When that happens, their trust will allow them to focus in on my technical information, and they therefore will be alot more likely to learn, and retain, the information.
Studies have shown that a lack of soft skills is the primary reason for job terminations in this country.