From the most technical fields to the most creative, employers need people who possess a common set of skills, generally known as “soft” skills. Soft skills include abilities like communication, presentation, creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving. These skills are hard to develop through traditional training in technical areas, yet are increasingly necessary for success in today’s collaborative, innovative workplaces, regardless of industry.
Soft skill development is a central area of study in psychological fields, and a necessary component of practical psychology applications. Psychologists and related professionals rely on their own soft skills to be effective and try to help others develop the same skills to navigate life’s challenges. Aspiring professionals in the field can hone their soft skills and learn to help others develop them through comprehensive coursework in the undergraduate online psychology programs offered by Florida Institute of Technology.
The Soft Skills Employers Want Are Hard to Find
Research demonstrates that soft skills account for a vast degree of career success, often more so than specific technical abilities. Employers rely on employees that think critically and creatively to solve problems and innovate. Employers need workers that communicate clearly with one another, supervisors, subordinates, the public and other stakeholders. Teamwork and collaboration are essential in the modern workplace.
While these skills are critical to success and productivity, they are also in short supply. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies are reshaping how work is done, yet soft skills remain among the most high-demand skill sets. Soft skills are truly human skills — a collection of abilities and attributes that AI can emulate but cannot complete or replace.
Applied Psychology Degrees Can Fill the Soft Skills Gap
Applied psychology programs at both the associate degree and bachelor’s degree levels can provide valuable soft skills, equipping students to fill the skills gap and thrive in the workplace. For instance, Florida Tech’s online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Applied Psychology – Organizational Psychology program explores human behavior and leadership in the workplace, focusing on topics like conflict resolution, communication strategies and team dynamics. Examining these subjects helps students understand the role and importance of soft skills in creating positive organizational cultures and environments.
Students in such programs gain the critical thinking, problem-solving, and oral, writing and interpersonal communication skills to be successful employees in today’s market. This diverse set of skills is integral to the broader skillsets required in the psychology discipline. Whether a degree focuses on clinical practice or community applications, soft skills gained from an applied psychology program can include:
- Writing proficiency: Psychology requires students to create in-depth research reports and shorter summaries, arming students with skills to write well in both longer forms and shorter forms. This is valuable in business as well as scientific fields.
- Numeric proficiency: Psychology students must not only understand statistical approaches to datasets, but they must also apply critical thinking to analyze them.
- Research skills: Students learn different quantitative and qualitative research techniques, so they understand how to find answers through research.
- Presentation skills: Students gain extensive experience compiling, analyzing and presenting through written reports and verbal presentations.
- Interpersonal awareness: The psychology field fosters acute awareness of other people’s feelings and needs, which contributes beyond the discipline through teamwork, leadership and conflict resolution.
- Critical thinking: The field of psychology is rife with multiple perspectives on human behavior, and students must learn to assess them and critically compare evidence. Synthesizing numerous perspectives to obtain a reasoned perspective provides value agnostic of any one discipline.
- Self-management: Conducting independent research and preparing presentations require students to become disciplined managers of their own time and productive output.
- Teamwork: Beyond the academic study of group behavior — critical to fostering teamwork — psychology programs also require group work and seminars, which translates to an ability to work well with others and to navigate challenging personal dynamics.
- Flexibility: Students explore different perspectives and approaches, adapting to findings throughout the process. Skill with being adaptive and agile in thought is essential for the flexibility modern work requires.
Even if psychology as a clinical discipline isn’t the final objective, earning a psychology degree equips students to combat the growing soft skills gap and enter the workforce primed to contribute and succeed. Plus, soft skills are widely applicable and transferable, aiding college graduates throughout their lives and career changes.
Learn more about the online psychology programs from Florida Tech.
