Graduate  Attributes 

Barrie, (2004), stated in their Higher Education Research and Development Journal that, according to (Bowden et al., 2000),

Graduate attributes are the qualities, skills and understandings a university community agrees its students should develop during their time with the institution and consequently shape the contribution they are able to make to their profession and society. They are qualities that also prepare graduates as agents of social good in an unknown future.

There is a link between employability skills and graduate attributes. According to (Graduate Employability Skills Prepared for the Business, Industry and Higher Education Collaboration Council, 2007) ,

Employability skills are paradoxically best learned and applied within the context of specific disciplines. This discipline-specific approach emphasises the importance of mapping these skills within curriculum and stresses the importance of universities and employers working together to appropriately define these skills. 

DEST (2002a) defined employability skills as 'skills required not only to gain employment, but also to progress within an enterprise so as to achieve one’s potential and contribute successfully to enterprise strategic directions', according to the (Graduate Employability Skills Prepared for the Business, Industry and Higher Education Collaboration Council, 2007; Bridgstock, 2009). 

The report identified the relevance and the requirement of having personal attributes and employability skills for both new and established employees to suit the various job-roles (Graduate Employability Skills Prepared for the Business, Industry and Higher Education Collaboration Council, 2007). 

Lately, acquiring disciplinary knowledge is not enough to guarantee a job at the completion of a degree. Employers expect graduates to function efficiently, must become flexible and adaptable in an ever-changing work environment (Developing generic graduate attributes & tracking their acquisition at UTAS, 2003).

Graduates must be able to demonstrate and apply their acquired skills and attributes, representing package of skills, qualities and understanding what is needed to impress potential employers. The expectations are self-confidence, maturity and resilience; a willingness to fit in and co-operate; business etiquette and professionalism; intellectual curiosity; reflective approach to work and experiences; management of self and career (Student Career and Skills, 2015). They need to become lifelong learners, open to new ideas and new ways of learning and thinking (Collins, 2009).

My Graduate and Employability Skills

Communication Skills  

The effective imparting and exchange of thoughts, opinions or information of others verbally and written, contributing to productive and harmonious relations between employees and customers (Trought, 2012) Successful communication is critical in business and should be effective across a range of contexts (Discovering Skills to Succeed in a Job: What Skills Do Employers Want, 2015). 

I have always had jobs that are strongly orientated around working with the public. Therefore I feel my customer service and communication skills are good. I am very polite, clear when communicating, and approachable. As everything else, there is always room for improvement, therefore, I strive to get even better.

Teamwork Skills 

The ability to work cooperatively with others to towards common goals, showing diplomacy and flexibility when there are conflicting opinions; supporting other people’s performance to achieve the best possible results to contribute to productive working relationships and outcomes (Trought, 2012). 

I always make a conscious effort to work as a team to help ensure a nice smooth running day. I have needed to work well in a team with all of my employment therefore I feel this has become a very strong skill I possess.

Time Management Skills

Time is a resource which is easy to waste. Effectively organising, prioritising and managing workload and other demands upon your time, whilst meeting deadlines and other commitments, is a good time management technique (EducationScotland.gov.uk, 2005).

I have good time management skills, organising myself to meet deadlines. I feel the need to improve on the aspect of being on time when I have to go somewhere.

Problem Solving Skills

The ability to define and analyse a problem, and then identify, create and choose options for resolution obtaining a best answer to an unknown and implement them as required to contribute to productive outcomes (Mourtos, DeJong Okamoto and Rhee, 2004). 

I have a fair level of problem solving experience, nothing too big. So far, I have been able to solve most problems that had come my way, by not panicking, but rather thinking through situations before making any haste decisions. I feel if I am faced with any problem that I have never encounter before, I woud use the experience I am acquring as I go along. As the saying goes "Exprience is the best Teacher".  

Commercial Awareness Skills

Having knowledge of the environment within which the employment position operates – at levels ranging from economic context, sector, industry, through to specific business, function and department and even team (Greatgraduate.co.uk, 2015). "Basic understanding of the key drivers for business success and the need to provide customer satisfaction" (Jackson, 2010), as cited by  CBI, 2008b, p. 23). 

I have a good knowledge and experience in a commercial setting from working in a department store, through to college as we had a commercial salon, and to my time so far at the university working at the Devonshire spa.  I am thriving to acquire more theoretical knowledge in management and to put these into a practical, hands on environment. I know and understand what is expected of me as a therapist and always willing to do the right thing

Self Awareness Skills 

The importance of building and generating self development, to the benefit of self and the employer to contribute to satisfaction and growth. Being concious of what you are good at while acknowledging what is you still have yet to learn is an important aspect of self awareness (Musslewhite, 2007).

I really have a passion for the spa industry, not only therapy but the overall operations involved in running a spa. I am a very hands on person both personally and professionally. It is in my nature to get stuck into whatever I am  involved in. I try to be positive all the time, always willing to try and never think of failure.

Networking Skills

Ability to build and nurture and maintain personal and professional contacts; relationships with others that are ready, willing and able to help you through your working life , and to utilise them appropriately to support the development of self, other individuals and the business. Developing your networking skills will allow you to maximise opportunities such as conferences when you meet other academics (Armstrong, 2007). 

My networking skills has improved  through building contacts and relationships with individuals who are working or involved in areas related to my interests and needs such as talking to different companies during industry days, conferences, guest speakers and my lecturers. I made some contacts during the Buxton Spa and Wellness Conference, with Ishga representative Leon Trayling. I am also networking via my LinkedIn account. 

Negotiation and Persuasion Skills

Influencing the opinions of others and outcomes of situations through the use of effective negotiation, persuasion and influencing skills. Negotiation and persuasion is something that is needed in order to help make changes. 

According to Robinson, Sinnema and Le Fevre, (2014), as cited in (De Dreu, et al., 2007), 

"The interpersonal behaviors associated with integrative agreements are described in the negotiation literature as problem-solving, which involves searching for or providing information about preferences and priorities, the verification of insights and making cooperative statements such as expressing a desire to work together". 

Working in a retail enviroment for over ten years, I utilised this skill everyday, by talking to customers persuading them to buy what I was offering them. I was able to sell dinner sets and gifts, even when customers had no plan of buying. I rose through the ranks to a department manager, because of my ability to lead, motivate, manage and hit targets. But there is always room for improvement, therefore I am willing and ready to improve upon this skill.

Proactivity Skills

Being self­ starting and change­ oriented in order to enhance personal or organisational effectiveness, such as by making improvements to work procedures or using one's initiative to solve a problem (Unsworth and Parker, 2003).

Technical Skills

Industry and technical knowledge, product knowledge, understanding clients needs, numeracy, IT systems and technical and practical knowledge (FSSC, 2007).

I have acquired extensive knowledge from Elemis training and also from lectures and tutorials in my subject area. I have a qualification in beauty therapy which is a basic technical requirement needed for employment in my field.  Product knowledge, operations of the spa facilities, pool testing, treatments are some of the technical skills I have gained since I started university. Prior to this, I had training in Decleor and in some complementary therapy which are beneficial  for employment. I am willing and ready to learn more technical skills to make me extremely marketable.

Leadership Skills

The ability to demonstrate and take ownership of a task and be able to negotiate, influence and be assertive in your approach to secure a positive outcome. leadership skills is required by all who have responsibility within an organisation.  Leadership is providing vision, setting goals, accountability, driving change, motivating and supporting others and monitoring performance (Field, 2001). 

My previous job role required me to lead, so I started developing leadership skills from then. Through out my time in college, my leadership skills developed even more, since it comes to me naturally and just take the lead. on the other hand I made sure I am not too overshadowing and give other people the chance to also play their role. My time in university so far, has also brought my skills to light, by being very active in any team work I am involved in, trying the leadership role most of the time. My leadership role comes into play alot when i am back at my halls of residence as I take charge of organising stuff we do in our flat with my flat mates. As a mother, naturally and personally, I am always leading, guiding and mentoring my children. Every where I go or anything I do, I try to utilize this skill as much as possible whenever the need arises.

Organisational Skills

Ability to plan schedules and maintain realistic timelines; remain goal focused; set and maintain priorities (Field, 2001). Being able to organise work and manage time effectively to contribute to long-term and short-term strategic planning (Scott & Yates, 2002). The ability to work without supervision (Knight & Yorke, 2004, p. 8). 

As part of motherhood, this skill come to me naturally. As a mother of a big family, I have to organise everything to do with the children to avoid clutter and also making sure no body misses their school programs and activities. I keep a dairy to regulate and manage each of everyones activity. I am still able to organise their activities even as I am away from home. I have the ability to transfer this skill to any employment in the future. 

Independence Skills

Personal and intellectual independence, having the ability to defend and assert one's rights, interests, responsibilities and needs, to form and conduct life plans and personal projects and the ability to act within the larger context (Barrie, 2005; Rychen, 2002).

I have personal independence skills because I am a mother with dependent children. Intellectual independence is a new skill that I need to develop. I am  dependent on my lecturers to guide and support me through this period of learning.

Specific Occupational Skills

“An organized program of study that provides specific vocational skills that lead to proficiency in performing actual tasks and technical functions required by certain occupational fields at entry, intermediate, or advanced levels” (Social Policy Research Associates & Public/ Private Ventures, n.d, as cited in Kerka, 2006, p. 1). 

Assertiveness Skills

The ability to express your ideas and convey your value in your organisation, which will boosts your self-confidence. This behavior allows you to establish and project the image of a poised and polished professional (Assertiveness skills: A Guide to Positively Successful Communication, Participant Materials, 2008).

I am very enthusiastic and passionate in everything I do and I try to let it show in my work and behaviour as much as possible. I have worked under many different managers who have mentored me and helped me develop and shape the way I would manage. To enhance my techniques I practise treatments in my own time to improve myself as a therapist. I am very interested in how treatments can affect client and the feel good factor as well. With this attribute, I am always learning of how to improve and be more proactive. I am very assertive and proactive to be a good role model for my children.

Confidence Building

The ability of been able to deal with challenges that employment and life throw up (Knight & Yorke, 2004, p. 8). Confidence is built in response to the level of performance required of it.  Either you use it or you lose it (Errey, 2015).

My confident level has increased since I started university and I am still developing on this skill.

Professional Development Skills

According to Wilcox, (2003), "Professional development is not a product, devised by training providers and academic institutions. It is a mindset, a habit to acquire".  

(ICPD, Date, as cited in Wilcox, 2003) states professional development skills is 

'The systematic maintenance, improvement and broadening of knowledge and the development of personal qualities necessary for the education of professional and technical duties throughout the practitioner's working life.

I have been an assistant manager to a manager in my previous job  and in doing so I have experienced what it’s like to motivate, lead, supervise, encourage and mentor the team as well as experiencing the duties of a retail department manager. This gives me the confidence to know that I have a basic knowledge to begin with and therefore giving me a step ahead and the confidence to know that I will pick up any of the new duties, requirements and skills needed to supervise or manage a spa in the future. Naturally,  I like to mentor and motivate people, so any opportunity I get, I utilise it by offering to help and where the need of motivation exists, I provide it. I feel I am developing this even more as I am growing, becoming part and parcel of me.

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