A Classroom Experience That Builds the Top Skills Employers Want. (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Smith, Kirk
• Is Part Of: Management teaching review. Volume 1:Number 2(2016)
• Page Start: 73
• Page End: 78
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: classroom active learning -- guest speakers -- client projects -- teamwork -- problem solving -- communication -- work prioritization -- information processing -- quantitative data; Management -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; Executives -- Training of -- Periodicals; Organizational behavior -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 658.007
• DOI: 10.1177/2379298116633870
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2379-2981

Abstract

National surveys routinely list the skills employers look for in new college graduates. This article describes a classroom activity that helps build those skills in your students but does not require dedicating your whole course to the effort. Guests from the business world visit class for only 1 hour and bring real problems for the students to work on while the client visits. Students must quickly analyze the client's situation, develop possible solutions in a team and time-pressured environment, and then present their ideas to the guest within that hour. Nine iterations during the semester seems to be enough.