Durable Skills @ the U
Defining Durable Skills
According to a recent Strada Gallup Education Consumer Survey, 58% of respondents indicated that they chose to attend college to find a good job or career in the future.However, most students feel underprepared when they reach the workplace.
Educators are encouraged to integrate critical workplace skills, or durable skills, into pedagogy throughout the college experience to help students address this gap. Incorporating career readiness competencies throughout any program of study helps students to learn skills that will benefit them in your class, their future classes, and throughout their career path ahead.
Durable Skills Faculty Fellows Call for Participants
Read the memo from University Leadership
University of Utah Durable Skills Framework
The University of Utah's Durable Skills Framework is comprised of outcomes established by multiple nationally-recognized workforce readiness standards: NACE Career Readiness Competencies, AAC&U VALUE rubrics, and the U.S. Department of Education’s Employability Skills Framework.
Critical Thinking +
Problem Solving
Analyze information, evaluate evidence, apply reasoning to address complex problems
Communication
Express ideas clearly across oral, written, and digital formats (public speaking, email best practices), adapt messages for diverse audiences, ask questions, ask for help, and engage in negotiation
Collaboration +
Teamwork
Build relationships, work within a team, contribute productively to group goals, and be adept at conflict management
Emotional +
Cultural Competence
Recognize and adapt to emotions and perspectives to engage effectively across cultures and contexts, navigate diversity
Creativity +
Innovation
Generate new ideas, integrate knowledge, apply technology to novel solutions
Information +
Technology Literacy
Locate, evaluate, and ethically use information; leverage technology for inquiry and problem-solving; understand complex systems; manage resources effectively
Leadership + Professionalism
Act with integrity and ethical purpose; show initiative; demonstrate responsibility, professional behavior, adaptability, dependability, meeting etiquette, and inclusive leadership in all professional endeavors; demonstrate punctuality, work ethic, and accountability
Career +
Self-Development
Seek continual growth by learning new skills; practicing time and stress management; adapting to changing environments; approaching challenges with grit, curiosity and adaptability; and receiving feedback
Connections with General Education
Teaching a General Education (GE) designated course? Integrating durable skills aligned with the General Education Program Learning Outcomes (GELOs) established for your course can be an excellent way to introduce learners to the ways their general education experience will lead them toward long-term career success.
Select each section below to learn more about how each GELO connects to durable skills.
Collaboration & teamwork, leadership & professionalism, communication, and emotional & cultural competence are vital for thriving in collaborative work environments. This GELO fosters the ability to build relationships, resolve conflict constructively, and contribute to shared goals.
Employers consistently highlight collaboration as critical to productivity and innovation, and the durable skills connected to this GELO—such as interpersonal communication, professionalism, and systems thinking—ensure that graduates can work effectively across roles, disciplines, and cultures.
Leadership & professionalism, critical thinking & problem solving, and emotional & cultural competence form the backbone of this GELO, equipping students to make responsible decisions in complex professional settings.
Applying ethical codes to global, community, and workplace contexts demonstrates integrity, a top trait employers seek in new hires. These durable skills help graduates build trust, navigate competing priorities, and lead with fairness—qualities that strengthen organizational culture and long-term success.
This GELO aligns with critical thinking & problem solving, collaboration & teamwork, career & self-development, and creativity & innovation—core durable skills employers consistently identify as essential.
By learning to manage setbacks, develop resource networks, and apply technology effectively, students cultivate the resilience and resourcefulness needed in dynamic work environments. These abilities translate directly into workplace success, where professionals must navigate ambiguity, integrate diverse perspectives, and implement effective solutions in the face of challenges.
Creativity & innovation, communication, and information & technology literacy are central to this GELO and to career success in both established and emerging industries. The integration of creative thinking, integrative learning, and technology use enables students to approach problems with fresh perspectives and design novel solutions.
Employers value individuals who can connect ideas across domains, adapt tools for new applications, and present their ideas persuasively—skills that can drive innovation and competitive advantage.
The competencies linked to this GELO—such as career & self-development and leadership & professionalism—prepare students to take ownership of their professional growth and navigate complex organizational systems.
Skills like continuous development and systems thinking are valued in every industry, as they enable individuals to adapt to change, work toward equity, and lead initiatives that create meaningful impact. Employers seek candidates who can articulate their strengths, identify growth opportunities, and contribute strategically to team and institutional goals.
U Career Success Support
U Career Success provides several services and resources for both students and faculty. From career coaching to connecting students with recruiters and prospective employers, U Career Success is an excellent resource to help learners bridge their academic experience with their future career path ahead.
For faculty interested in discovering new ways to incorporate durable skills into their classrooms, U Career Success can provide classroom career workshops, support for creating durable skill-forward assignments, and more– even Canvas-ready content you can import directly into your courses!
LEARN MORE About U Career Success FACULTY RESOURCES
Curriculum Mapping with Durable Skills
Higher education institutions here in Utah are working to better align degree offerings and job placement opportunities. Blending durable skills with the entire curriculum in a program of study is a great way to demonstrate to students precisely how their time spent working toward a degree can benefit their job opportunities in the future.
Have further questions about curriculum mapping? CTE is here to help! Send an email to cte@utah.edu or submit a help request to our team.