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How Can I Become Career Ready?

Own your experience. Plan. Achieve. Repeat.

What does career readiness mean and why does it matter?

Career Readiness is the ability to strategically gain meaningful competencies, skills, and experiences for success in life and career.

Why should I be career ready?

Professionally speaking, it matters because employers and graduate programs are looking for a core set of competencies in recent graduates. Your competencies also play a big part in your daily life as a citizen, parent, member of the church, etc. A liberal arts education paired with strategically chosen experiences outside of the classroom help you gain and build competencies and skills.
So why should you focus on your career readiness?

  1. You'll develop the skills employers want: Focusing now on becoming career ready will help you enter the world of work with the transferable skills necessary to adapt and grow throughout your career.
  2. You'll be able to tell your story: Being able to effectively communicate your strengths and "connect the dots" for employers and other professionals in your network can assist you in demonstrating that you are the best fit for a specific position, organization, industry, or network.
  3. You'll be able to strategize how to continue growing: Reflecting on your career readiness can help you identify areas of growth as a professional. This type of reflection can be a powerful tool to help you target experiences that will serve as professional development.

Key Components of Becoming Career Ready

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What is a competency?

Competencies are behavioral capacities, knowledge, or abilities that enable good performance in a particular role. Competencies are not a "you either have it or you don’t" set of attributes and abilities. While you are at BYU, you can begin to understand and build the competencies that you will continue to refine throughout your life and career.

What competencies should I be developing?

The National Association of Colleges and Employers, (NACE) through research has identified 8 Core Career Readiness Competencies. The Core Career Competencies not only define career readiness but also give you a practical framework to demonstrate your career readiness to prospective employers or to graduate school admissions committees. They also help you identify the advantage of the liberal arts, spelled out in tangible terms.

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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Show an awareness of own strengths and areas for development.
    • Identify areas for continual growth while pursuing and applying feedback.
    • Develop plans and goals for one’s future career.
    • Professionally advocate for oneself and others.
    • Display curiosity; seek out opportunities to learn.
    • Assume duties or positions that will help one progress professionally.
    • Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.
    • Seek and embrace development opportunities.
    • Voluntarily participate in further education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY
    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Can I identify areas for continual growth, and pursue and apply feedback?
    • Do I seek and embrace development opportunities?
    • Can I professionally advocate for myself and others?
    • Do I consider other perspectives as related to my journey?
    • Can I answer interview questions such as "What is my biggest strength?"
    • Can I provide examples of experiences where my skills have been used successfully?
    • Can I introduce myself in ways that connect my interests with my career goals?
    • Do I seek the perspectives of people from different backgrounds when making decisions?
    • Do I have mentors who help guide various aspects of my life?
    • Do I reflect on different situations and how I handled them? Can I apply those lessons in future situations?

    COMMUNICATING THIS COMPETENCY
    There are many opportunities to communicate your self awareness skills to others; through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc. Start with statements like the samples below to build upon:

    • During a conversation with a Mentor: I have not yet developed X skill. Can you help me develop it? Can you help me identify my other areas of strength/weakness?
    • During an informational interview: My summer internship led me to understand I want to seek opportunities to collaborate with a team in my next role. How are teams integrated into the work you do at XYZ company?
    • During a job interview: One area of growth is X, and I am currently doing A, B, and C to develop those skills.
    • During an interview or networking conversation if you switched majors: Why? How did you know? How did you incorporate your skills/interests into the decision process?

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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities.
    • Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills.
    • Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
    • Frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences.
    • Ask appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists, and others.
    • Promptly inform relevant others when needing guidance with assigned tasks.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Can you identify and use the grammatical style guide that is most commonly used in your discipline or field?
    • Do you know how to write x, y and z ? e.g. composing a persuasive essay?
    • Do others seem to have to often ask you to repeat yourself or clarify your comments when speaking?
    • Do others ask clarifying questions in your written communication, or are you clear and concise?
    • Can you recognize when enough is enough when writing an email or communication rather than making it longer than necessary?  Being brief but specific!
    • Do you feel comfortable speaking in front of others?
    • Do you ensure your written communications are error free before submitting?
    • The flip side of communicating is listening, do you truly listen when others are speaking?
    • Do you take the time to think before you speak?

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    Your communication skills will be on display throughout the application process--your cover letter, resume and follow-up notes as well as your interviewing skills are all ways you communicate with potential employers. That's why it's essential to develop your job search skills. Consider first any opportunities you have had to utilize these communication skills:

    Proficient at business analysisCommunicate clearly verballyCommunicate clearly in writing
    Speak to new people easilyCommunicate creativelyDefine
    Proficient at editing/restatementWrite in an expository mannerFacilitate meetings/groups
    Persuade otherSummarize informationPerform technical writing

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon:

    Class Project: Initiated collaborative relationship with a local nonprofit to develop an assessment of client needs

    Internship: Prepared and delivered presentation on lab results for Principal Investigator and graduate student researchers

    Student organization: Developed a social media campaign for the robotics club, increasing membership by 150%.

    Service: Taught conflict resolution skills to local middle and high school students using Take Ten curriculum.

    Job: Provided excellent customer service, assisting customers with locating items and recommending materials for projects.

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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment.
    • Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
    • Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps.
    • Accurately summarize and interpret data with an awareness of personal biases that may impact outcomes.
    • Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.
    • Multi-task well in a fast-paced environment.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Did you recently write a paper analyzing a topic?
    • Do you find it easy to evaluate conflicting information?
    • How well do you formulate an argument to support a conclusion?
    • Do you critique a proposed solution with data or facts?
    • Have you helped resolve a problem in your student club?
    • When solving a problem, do you assess the situation and integrate varying information to find a solution?

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    There are many opportunities to communicate your ways of critical thinking and problem solving to others; through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc.

    Consider first any opportunities you have had to utilize these critical thinking skills:

    Handle ambiguityAdapt to new ideasConduct research
    Analyze ideasCreateDemonstrate foresight
    Develop new approachesExperimentExtrapolate to other situations
    Identify trendsImagine possibilitiesInterpret information
    InvestigateLearn by doingLearn by listening
    Learn by processing in the momentLearn by readingReason logically
    ObserveRetain facts and detailsSummarize and synthesize information

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon:

    • Designed a system to protect a weight and sensor dropped from a second-story balcony, receiving positive feedback and A grade from the professor.
    • Organized a seating plan that matched customer needs with the availability of space and readiness of waiters and kitchen staff.
    • Evaluated candidates for Writing Center positions and made recommendations regarding new hires.
    • Explored the possibility of using constant power levels and adding energy storage to heavy machinery with large diesel engines.
    • Developed and presented a modified policy that integrated student and administration concerns.
    • Identified deficiencies in various medical departments, including pediatrics, internal medicine, pathology, and presented recommendations to the board of directors.
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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Solicit and use feedback from multiple cultural perspectives to make inclusive and equity-minded decisions.
    • Actively contribute to inclusive and equitable practices that influence individual and systemic change.
    • Advocate for inclusion, equitable practices, justice, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.
    • Seek global cross-cultural interactions and experiences that enhance one’s understanding of people from different demographic groups and that leads to personal growth.
    • Keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking.
    • Identify resources and eliminate barriers resulting from individual and systemic racism, inequities, and biases.
    • Demonstrate flexibility by adapting to diverse environments.
    • Address systems of privilege that limit opportunities for members of historically marginalized communities.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Have you respectfully participated in a class discussion about a controversial issue?
    • When have you made a conscious effort to understand another person's point of view?
    • Do you respect cultural differences and preferences among your peers?
    • Have you viewed an issue about which you feel strongly from another person's viewpoint?
    • Have you joined a student group or club that connects you with peers who do not share all your same views?
    • Have you accepted someone else's point of view and perspective in planning/organizing an event?

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    There are many opportunities to communicate your experience with diversity, equity, and inclusion to others; through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc. Consider first ways you have shown your value of ensuring diversity, equity and inclusion for all:

    Understand cultural identityDemonstrate openness, sensitivity, and inclusiveness with all people
    Display empathyPossess knowledge of other cultures
    Learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, religionsExamine one's beliefs
    Understand individuals' differencesValue and respect diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, religions

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon

    • Facilitated a mutually acceptable residence hall visitation policy that met the key factors important to three different student groups.
    • Organized a panel of speakers representing opposing viewpoints to promote constructive discussion and critical examination of immigration policy.
    • Analyzed the math camp admission process and recommended inclusion of questions that would identify qualified applicants with financial need.
    • Translated Arabic news media for daily briefing of the U.S. State Department Embassy staff in Amman, Jordan.
    • Interviewed local migrant workers regarding labor conditions to provide a more complete overview to the mayor.
    • Co-facilitated dialog session between four student organizations differently impacted by university policy.
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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Inspire, persuade, and motivate self and others under a shared vision.
    • Seek out and leverage diverse resources and feedback from others to inform direction.
    • Use innovative thinking to go beyond traditional methods.
    • Serve as a role model to others by approaching tasks with confidence and a positive attitude.
    • Motivate and inspire others by encouraging them and by building mutual trust.
    • Plan, initiate, manage, complete and evaluate projects.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Do I want to be a leader?
    • Can I empathize with different types of people?
    • Can I change how I communicate depending on the situation?
    • Can I think critically and criticize constructively?
    • Can I cope with stress?
    • Am I flexible when it comes to different tasks?
    • Can I handle fear and anxiety?

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    There are many opportunities to communicate your leadership skills to others through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc. Start with statements like the examples below to build upon:

    Accept responsibilityAdapt to new situationsAdvise
    Build teamsCreate learning opportunitiesDelegate
    Demonstrate integrity and valuesIdentify directionIdentify problems and solutions
    Manage meetingsManage organizationManage self
    Monitor progressMotivateSet priorities
    Set work/committee goalsWork well independentlyWork without supervision

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon:

    • Founded an organization which held meetings to facilitate discussion between club members on how to utilize learned talents from sports later in life.
    • As Executive Director, Student Union Board I supervised nine Directors of Programming responsible for the planning and execution of over 200 campus events while managing a budget of $300,000
    • Share how you delegated responsibility for a large project and oversaw each division to ensure success of the project
    • Gives examples of how you motivated your team to keep moving forward, even if there were obstacles to overcome
    • Address how you managed conflict resolution within your team
    • Explain the importance of good communication as a leader and how you listened to your team members
    • Demonstrate your problem-solving skills as a leader and how you utilized them within your team environment
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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Act equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.
    • Maintain a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal career values.
    • Be present and prepared.
    • Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).
    • Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.
    • Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.
    • Have an attention to detail, resulting in few if any errors in their work.
    • Show a high level of dedication toward doing a good job.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Am I aware of my personal branding?
    • Do I have an understanding of business etiquette?
    • Am I aware of professional dress requirements?
    • Do I have a professional resume completed?
    • Do I know how to write professional job search correspondences?
    • Do I have quality professional references?
    • Is my social media presence (e.g., LinkedIn, Handshake) professional or do I need to reassess my online presence?
    • Am I capable of a salary negotiation and understanding salary packages?
    • Am I prepared for the transition from from college to my first post-graduate destination?
    • Do I understand how to navigate workplace politics?
    • Do I have professional mentor(s)?

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    There are many opportunities to communicate your work ethic and professionalism to others; through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc. Consider first any opportunities you have utlized ethics and professionalism:

    Accept responsibility for behaviors and actionsAnticipate problemsAssure quality
    Demonstrate valuesFollow a scheduleExecute projects
    Follow throughFunction well under stressHonest
    Possess integrityManage time wellPlan effectively
    PunctualRespond appropriatelySet goals and priorities

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon

    • Resume: Include any professional certifications you may have, and any professional organizations you may belong to (SWE, NABA, ALPFA, etc.).
    • Cover Letter: demonstrate how you have grown professionally through continuous study and participation.
    • Interviews: Be able to articulate your knowledge about the industry, organization, and recent trends or innovations.
    • Elevator Pitch: Prepare and be able to demonstrate your professional expertise. The pitch is more about thoughtfully and clearly demonstrating the connection between where you are currently and the professional direction you are heading or the position you are seeking.
    • Internships: Show concern about professional improvement; quality of work reflects your professional standards; maintain high standards of professional conduct.
    • Class Projects: Strive to grow professionally through continuous study and participation; display industriousness, conscientiousness, and diligence in coursework and projects. 
    • Service: Demonstrate civic engagement and concern for the well-being of other community members.
    • Student Organizations: Demonstrate your involvement and an exceptional mastery of professional skills.
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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting.
    • Effectively manage conflict, interact with and respect diverse personalities, and meet ambiguity with resilience.
    • Be accountable for individual and team responsibilities and deliverables.
    • Employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others.
    • Exercise the ability to compromise and be agile.
    • Collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
    • Build strong, positive working relationships with supervisor and team members/coworkers.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    Build on your level of this competency through the following:

    • Volunteer to serve on a team in your dorm and support the other members for the betterment of your dorm.
    • Join a student group on campus and ensure that you are contributing to the success of that group.
    • Pitch in when you see others struggling with a project or task.
    • Support the leader of your team them offering to help and assisting others.
    • Welcome new members to a group or team through support and introducing to others.
    • Be accountable for all tasks and duties assigned to you on a team.  Ensure you complete them on time and to the full expectation of completion.
    • Have a positive attitude, contributing solutions and ideas to the team rather than criticism and negativity.

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    There are many opportunities to communicate your ability to work on a team and collaborate with others; through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc.

    Consider first any opportunities you have had to utilize these teamwork skills:

    Build Alliances/teamCollaborateCommunicate well
    Manage conflictEncourage others Facilitate group process
    Form good rapportHandle problems/complaintsHelp others
    Listen wellMediateProvide instruction/input
    Provide servicesRelate well to othersReliable
    RespectableService-orientedSympathetic

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon:

    • Awards or recognition you've received.
    • Specific teamwork examples of actions you have taken as a team member and the successful outcome.
    • List of your teamwork qualities (ie. active listener, honesty, responsible).
    • Share how you've helped a team grown and progress through constructive contributions.
    • Explain how you helped a team that wasn't accomplishing their goals get back on track.
    • Discuss how you supported other employees accomplish their tasks in addition to your own. 
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    SAMPLE BEHAVIORS

    • Navigate change and be open to learning new technologies.
    • Use technology to improve efficiency and productivity of their work.
    • Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks.
    • Manage technology to integrate information to support relevant, effective, and timely decision-making.
    • Quickly adapt to new or unfamiliar technologies.
    • Manipulate information, construct ideas, and use technology to achieve strategic goals.

    ASSESSING YOUR LEVEL OF COMPETENCY

    This is the time to really reflect on yourself and where you are at with this competency. Ask yourself the following questions to dive deep into your self-assessment:

    • Can I follow along in class with the technology I'm using?
    • Do others in my classes seem to have more knowledge than me?
    • Are others in my classes able to get work done more quickly and efficiently using technology?
    • Do I think first, how can I do this more efficiently with a technology tool, or do I just address projects as I always have?
    • Do I want to put the time in to learn and become proficient with technology?
    • What technologies should I know to help me succeed in my career path?

    COMMUNICATE THIS COMPETENCY

    There are many opportunities to communicate your experience with digital technology to others; through your resume, cover letters, interviewing, 30-second professional introduction, networking, etc.

    Consider first any opportunities you have had to utilize these technology skills:

    AccountingAdapt to new and emerging technologiesMaintain a budget
    CodeVisualize and communicate dataEstimate
    Engage in financial planningForecastIdentify trends
    Leverage technology ethicallyCompute mathematicallyUtilize scientific methodology
    Perform specific lab skills/ techniquesUtilize specific software programsAnalyze system
    use databases and/or spreadsheetsUse statistical methodsUse statistics

    Then start with statements like the samples below to build upon:
    account maintenance

    • Provide networking/desktop support and perform mainframe and account-maintenance tasks. Earned commendations for teamwork, flexibility, and work excellence in providing IT support to students and faculty.
    • Exceeded issue-resolution targets and achieved exemplary customer satisfaction scores, consistently scoring between 95% and 100% on all calls (outperforming the average of 90%).
    • Redesigned Internet and intranet pages. Used SEO best practices to optimize Website for search engine rankings and improved functionality of the company database.
    • Handled database and Web site programming tasks (primarily using Java, C, C++, HTML, and SharePoint), working an average of 15 hours per week while maintaining a 3.5 GPA.
    • Developed Python unit tests to help increase test coverage on Rhumbix’s web application and implemented various Python features to be a part of the Django back end of the web application.
    • Engaged in technical training exercises to gain a better understanding of Django and Python testing as well as practical training to learn the software development cycle and practices used by Rhumbix.
    • Developed the back-end infrastructure needed to implement email verification, including MySQL database schema updates and stored procedures, and two new API endpoints written in C# to create and verify email verification tokens for a given user.
    • Used C++ to update two energy code compliance documents generated by Right-Suite Universal so that the documents would be accurate, up-to-date, and aesthetically pleasing.
Which competencies does my liberal arts education prepare me for specifically? (Click Icons for More Information)
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COMMUNICATION
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CULTURAL NAVIGATION
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INFORMATION LITERACY

COMMUNICATION

A liberal arts education teaches you to articulate and write coherent explanations and arguments with attention to the implications of language. Many of your courses emphasize open discussion, drafting, and feedback, which allow you to fully develop your ideas. Your course of study teaches you to think of yourself as a writer; as someone who isn’t intimidated by the opportunity to create your own narrative. It teaches you to tell a story, be it creative or critical, descriptive or persuasive, and share it with an audience.

What can I say about my ability to communicate?

I am a critical writer and discerning reader who appreciates how texts are put together and how narratives work.

I can write persuasive prose employing empirical research to make an argument.

I can articulate findings, claims, and solutions effectively.

I can communicate in ways that allow me to collaborate with others to solve problems.

I know my audience and my relationship to them.

I have a deep appreciation for nuances in words and ideas.

I make conscious use of form and conventions to communicate strategically.

Wondering how and where your liberal arts education is teaching you to communicate better? Ask yourself the following questions:

• How do I approach writing within my own academic discipline?

• How do I adapt my writing based on genre, audience, and type of assignment?

• How do I craft an argument to be as persuasive as possible?

• How do I treat evidence and how do I make it interesting?

• How does my development as a writer influence my abilities as a speaker?

• How does the process of formulating my thoughts and expressing my ideas in class discussions?

• How have I been able to practice formal speaking in my coursework?

CULTURAL NAVIGATION

A liberal arts education teaches you to observe and interpret the nuances of another culture through its language, history, traditions, and practices. Your major helps you conduct empirical research that changes and informs how you engage with and interpret the diverse world around you. Your major also helps prepare you to use language to effectively navigate a variety of cultures. Like the other competencies, language proficiency and cultural literacy facilitate meaning-making across linguistic, cultural, social, and even organizational divides.

What can I say about my ability to navigate cultures?

I can handle socially, culturally, and linguistically diverse or unfamiliar situations.

I can promote shared understanding and collaboration.

I am developing a deeper understanding of the human experience, informed by language, history, art, cultural traditions, and practices.

I am cultivating a clearer sense of my own cultural values and the tensions resulting from interactions across different backgrounds and perspectives.

I can creatively engage social problems using effective theories and methods.

I recognize the role of the divine in human affairs and the divinity of humanity.

Wondering how and where your liberal arts education is teaching you to navigate cultures better? Ask yourself the following questions:

  • How has my study of another language expanded my understanding of other cultures as well as my native language?
  • How do I use language to accomplish my priorities, analyze complex problems, and complete projects?
  • How have I learned to use concrete and abstract language effectively to support an opinion, hypothesize and discuss topics of interest in my classes?
  • What experiences in and out of class have encouraged me to identify my cultural values as well as others’ core values more precisely?
  • How have I managed cultural differences other than language in and outside of the classroom?
  • When researching and writing, how have I identified and synthesized significant cultural elements to create a compelling argument or narrative?
  • How has my exposure to and study of literature, art, news, social media, architecture, etc., increased my capacity to see contrasting values as equally valid?
  • How have my interactions with people of diverse cultures and backgrounds enhanced my ability to develop and maintain successful relationships with others?

INFORMATION LITERACY

A liberal arts education prepares you to locate credible information, identify patterns, and narrate their connections to relevant contexts. Many of your courses involve projects that employ this competency, encouraging you to exercise judgment as a sophisticated researcher and analyst. This involves assessing the credibility, reliability, and relevance of information. Armed with good information, you can then synthesize and communicate your learning to persuade others to consider your point of view.

What can I say about my information literacy?

I can make sense of good information for specific purposes and audiences.

I can filter out inaccurate and irrelevant material and discriminate for the most sound and substantive sources.

I can employ rigorous research methods to understand diverse human experiences.

I can design research that addresses societal problems.

I can solve real-world problems and evaluate outcomes using critical thinking and empirical research.

Wondering how and where your liberal arts education is teaching you to be more information literate? Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What have I learned about the process of identifying core questions and themes? How does that relate to problem-posing/solving?
  • How do I think through challenges of breadth and depth as I begin my research?
  • How do I decide what kinds of sources I need and where to go to find them?
  • What goes into my final decisions about which sources to include and which to ignore?
  • How has interpreting information played an important role in my own academic study?
  • What steps do I take to create an original argument using others’ opinions and research as support?
  • How do I carefully examine selected material, finding evidence addressing my theme or question?
  • How do I interpret information based on my audience and/or purpose?

How do I learn and develop competencies?

Competency development is part of your life-long learning. There is a model to engage in that learning better so that the competencies and your ability to articulate them are stronger. The model isn’t linear, but instead, is a set of interdependent phases that overlap at times. Each stage can better equip you to make informed decisions about your life and to own your learning and experiences.