One summer, CLP decided to email the NEC alumni who are members of our Career Advisory Network.  The purpose was to find out what skills they thought a recent graduate, or new hire, MUST have to succeed in the world of work.  We are grateful to our NEC alums for providing these thoughtful tips to the job-seeking community.  Here is what they said.

Johanna Rodden, Transportation Sales, C.H. Robinson Worldwide
(Sport & Recreation Management, 2003)

• Follow through! That is the most important skill that they could have.
• On time appearances
• Understanding the company that they want to work for
• Delegating vs. dumping
• Communication (clear and confident)

 
Matthew R. Simpson, Purchasing Director
(Business Administration, 1999)

• Listening Skills – Critical to be a strong manager and leader. Must hear and be able to translate the needs of your organization.
• Analytical Skills – Must be able to think critically, and know where to locate or how to locate imperative information. Must understand what you manage.
• Leadership Skills – Must be able to lead by example, fairly, with integrity, and discipline. Must be able to be trusted by senior management and peers.

Valerie Szymkowicz, Consultant, Spelman and Johnson Group, Vermont

(Environmental Science)

• Communicating well in conversation, in person, or on the phone
• Communicating well in writing (e.g., excellent letters)
• Assessing, evaluating, screening, or selecting individuals
• Gathering information by interviewing or observing people
• Planning, laying out a step-by-step process for achieving a goal
• Following through, getting things done, producing

 
Fred Bishop, Relationship Manager, Securities iSolutions, SunGard Financial Systems, Bedford, MA

(Business Administration, 1999)

• Understanding the differences between the security types
• The ability to communicate with the different types of clients.  Dealing with NY clients is fast paced / southern clients are a little slower pace
• Ability to organize and prioritize your work
• Public speaking is very important...confident public speaking
• Second is insurance--some working knowledge of the many lines of insurance for their personal needs and their business needs.
• Computer programs: basic skills in word, excel, power point.
• Manners, ethics and protocol--something that our society is desperately lacking in.

Lizabeth A. McLaughlin, Commercial Lines Underwriting, Peerless Insurance, Keene, NH

(Business Administration, 1976)

• Persuading, motivating, recruiting, or selling to individuals
• Communicating well in conversation, in person, or on the phone
• Following through, getting things done, producing
  

Kelly O'Shea, President, BON Marketing Group, Inc., Beverly Hills, CA

(Literature, 2001)

• Written word – this is an email world – one MUST be able to properly convey their point via email.
• Spoken word – (do I have to explain?)
• Confidence.
• People skills and the ability to think on one’s feet – quickly.

Matthew D. Tenner, Esq., Counsel U.S. Board of Veterans Appeals,Department of Veteran's Affairs, Washington, DC

(Political Science, 1992)

• Ability to carefully use and analyze written and spoken language.
• Ability to apply unique factual patterns to law.
• Ability to be decisive.

Alyssa Pockell

Finance Director, John Steven for Congress, Concord, NH

(Political Science, 2000)

• Employers do not hire based on existing skills.  A good employer hires on potential.
• They are looking for someone who is eager to learn, is a clear and articulate speaker, makes eye contact, and more importantly (at least in my line of work) presents themselves in a professional way.
• Ditch the trendy clothes, buy a classic suit and make sure you look the part of the job you want.  It makes a huge difference!
• Most skills - including public speaking and effective communication can be learned.
• Professionalism, good etiquette and a willingness to learn will get you far as a new graduate.

Pauline Brannigan, Regional Sales Manager, SelectMinds

(International Administration, 1991)

• Communication: The ability to write, speak via the phone and in front of groups are important skills. Entry-level business professionals need to be able to understand their audience quickly and adjust the message to fit.  Listening and understanding the needs and desires of your customers whether they are patients, internal staff, or paying customers is essential as well.
• Simple flexibility and common manners: Dr. Sayce had a large clip on his desk that read, "Rigid Flexibility".  I have quoted that more times than I care to mention. What "is and is not" appropriate behavior in a professional setting is a useful skill for new alumni.
  
• Accounting and entrepreneurship: It is also important to make sure each graduate has the ability to use the common software packages to office, adobe, etc.   I also think that a standard understanding of a budget is important.   Whether you are a freelance artist or biologist, most professionals must be able to put together a budget or work within one.  

Thomas Howard, commercial construction, Henniker, NH

(English, 1990)

• Understand the client’s needs and true intentions.
• While technical knowledge is important, most important is to be a good listener and assist a client with their particular issue or need and to show them that you understand.
• Never be too technical with a client unless you know that they truly understand what you are talking about. It's important for them to feel that you have their interests in mind, but it's more important to actually HAVE them in mind.
• People are generally good at sensing sincerity.

Dr. Marie Dumas, Director of Assessment Services, Alvarado Parkway Institute, San Diego, CA

(Psychology, 1999)

3 goals for psychology students:

• Effective written and verbal communication - both expressive and receptive
• Ability to guide therapeutic sessions with individuals or groups in a confident and empathetic manner - while maintaining appropriate boundaries with patients/clients
• Ability to diagnose, prioritize, triage, and treatment plan effectively
• Think clearly
• WRITE clearly
• Have your own two solutions to a problem before you ask your supervisor for a solution

Dave Robinson, retired textbook editor

(Business Administration, 1960)

• Product knowledge of both my company, and a little about the competition.  This is usually accomplished by in-house company training.  Not very fun, but essential.

Kenneth P. Wilson , Vice President Commercial Lending, Laconia Savings Bank, Laconia, NH

(Business Administration, 1967)

• People Skills: Communicating well in conversation, in person, or on the phone. AND Communicating well in writing.
• Data Skills: Gathering information by interviewing or observing.  Analyzing, breaking down into parts. AND Organizing, classifying and prioritizing.Deciding, evaluating, appraising and making recommendations.

Dr. Juliet H. Fried, Professor, Human Rehabilitative Services, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO

(Psychology and Sociology, 1974)

• Gathering information by interviewing or observing people; Gathering information by studying or observing things
• Planning, laying out a step-by-step process for achieving a goal; Deciding, evaluating, appraising, or making recommendations
• Keeping records (including recording or entering on a computer)
• Communicating well in conversation, in person, or on the phone; Communicating well in writing
• Advising, coaching, counseling, mentoring, empowering
•  Assessing, evaluating, screening, or selecting individuals
• Following through, getting things done, producing

 
Victor Gentile, Senior Account Executive, Gartner Inc., Stamford, CT

(Business Administration, 1964)

• Listening, Empathy, Analyzing, PC skills, Hard work, Perseverance, Intellect, Drive, Goal oriented, Honesty

 
Lee Berard, Architect, Berard Martel Architecture, Bedford, NH

(Art, 1976)

• Proficiency in public speaking, writing and any level of communication
• A rounded liberal arts experience is the way to go
• Travel lots (work three jobs!)
• Get to know your professors outside class
  

Marin Graure, Project Manager, Greenwood Abatement Consultants, Inc.

(BU, 1988)

• Communicating well in conversation, in person , or on the phone.  Communication single-handedly is the key. Many people do not know how to tell you what they want. Often, it's a lot of guessing or beating around the bush.
  
• Be direct, straightforward.
• Following Through, get it done
  
• Production, Production, Production
• Persuading , motivating, recruiting , selling to individuals
• Organization/ Prioritize is number one. Nobody can remember everything. Get a good planner, Palm, Calendar log, etc. Write down everything you need to do every day, as the day transpires. You will be surprised how much you can get done if you have a task list to work from and keep you organized. Have your contact numbers at hand at all times. Email, etc.
• Adapting. Adaptive to every situation. Nothing stays the same ever!
• Imagining, inventing, creating, new ideas. Think outside the box. No Risk No Gain

Julie Nicknair-Keon, Middle School Guidance Counselor, Lyndon Town School, VT

(Education, 1988)

My three necessary skills in counseling:

• Ability to listen and speak w/individuals clearly, concisely, without judgment
• Admit your own personal weaknesses and seek assistance in those areas if it'll help your client.
• A sense of humor!

Moe Brooks, Learn to Skate Director, Atlanta Ice Forum

(Kinesiology, 1999)

• Patience and understanding
• From the Athletic Trainer aspect I need the ability to have good reasoning skills.
• I work with people of all personalities so people skills are a must with coaching any sport.  I have contact with officials and I sit on the US Figure Skating Sports Medicine Society Board of Directors so professionalism and knowledge of sports science and athletic training is a must.

Terry Verville, Marketing/Creative Artist, Eastern Mountain Sports

(Art, 1990)

• Dive into your field, volunteer, step to the plate and go the extra mile, do more than your asked to do, show your enthusiasm and contribute to your group.
• Continuing education, and keeping up to date in your field
•  These assets will show your team and others that you are willing to do what it takes and have a contribution to make to your department and companies success.
• When leaving a job (voluntarily or not), don't burn bridges. They can be a valuable resource later.