Training on the importance of soft skills development to obtain and maintain employment. Delivered as an inservice training to rehabilitation counselors and employment specialists serving individuals with disabilities. Support provided by the National Science Foundation (NSF Grant #RDE-1129682).

1. The Hard Truth about
Soft Skills
Kathleen Deery
University ofWisconsin-Stout
Back2Basics.3

2. The Rules Are Changing…
…but not as
much as some
people think

3. Soft Skills Are…
…a cluster of personal qualities, habits,
attitudes and social graces that are necessary
for career success.
In other words, Can you pass ‘lunch break’?

4. Essential Soft Skills
CriticalThinking
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Adaptability/Flexibility
AbilityToTake Constructive Criticism
Decision Making
Social Awareness (Respect, Deference, Sharing,Tact, Confidentiality)

5. Employer Priorities
Soft
Skills

6. Millennials & Gen Y
• Need to feel
special
• Highly social –
need to connect
• Seek partnership
& consensus
• Product of
‘power-
parenting’

7. “Life is not divided into semesters.You don't
get summers off and very few employers are
interested in helping you find yourself.”
– Bill Gates

8. Generational Work Challenges
▪ High expectations - can feel like entitlement
▪ Multi-tasking is a way of life
▪ Zero tolerance for delays
▪ Crave frequent feedback, reinforcement, & structure
▪ Not used to speaking for themselves
▪ Fear of failure

9. “Tell me what you want and I’ll do that.”
“What I want you to do is figure it out.”
“OMG.You’re setting me up for failure.Why are you
being so mean? I quit!”

10. How early is too early to
start getting ready for
work?
Answer? Never

11. Solution # 1: Experiential Learning

12. Reasons to Invest In Work Readiness
 Increases Awareness (self and work)
 Proactive - not reactive
 Learn by ‘doing’ …. & learn from mistakes

13. Work Experience is
Work out the “kinks” in the system
Gives parents time to adjust
Continuous feedback helps info to ‘sink in’
Skills build in a cumulative manner
Practice, Practice, Practice
Critical

14. Work Experience as Evaluation
• Multi-tasking
• Organization
• Punctuality
• Knowledge Transfer
• Social Skills
Real Life
Feedback

15. Success Strategies
▪ Applied learning is best
▪ I2M2: Interesting, Interactive, Motivating, &
Meaningful
▪ Delivery needs to relate to the person’s world
view (Stories, Language)

16. Collaboration
is VITAL
Student
Parents
TeachersVR
IEP
team

17. Why Flipping Burgers Is A Good Thing
▪ Practice soft skills
▪ Work out the “kinks” in the system
– Accommodations
– Disclosure
▪ Gain confidence
▪ Learn from choices (good & bad)
▪ Experience consequences

18. Other Benefits of “Food, Filth & Flowers”
▪ Reality-testing
▪ Gives parents time to adjust and discover capabilities of
students
▪ Opportunity for a ‘do-over’ when someone screws up
Wash, Rinse and REPEAT AS NEEDED

19. Solution # 2: Frank Discussions

20. DON’T OVERLOOK THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM
• If they don’t know
there is a problem,
they can’t change it.
• Step lightly around
sensitive issues
• Tough love vs.
setting up for failure

21. Nobody Said Life Was Fair
▪ Provide authentic feedback
– NOBODY like constructive criticism…so don’t do it
– Find a way to examine the issue and brainstorm together without
judgment
▪ Relationship matters
– How you say it as important asWhat you say.
– Remember that change is hard

22. Cumulative Issues
Help your customers understand…
….It’s not just one thing – disability, perception, generational
differences, soft skills, or accommodation…
….it’s EVERYTHING in combination.

23. Be human. Be forgiving. Be honest.

24. Recognition
• Information provided in this training was made
possible with a grant from the National Science
Foundation (NSF RDE Grant # 1129682)
▪ Additional information may be found on the Soft
Skills-Hard Science website at:
www.softskills-hardscience.org

25. Find me….
deeryk@uwstout.edu
715.232.2233
www.linkedin.com/in/kathleendeery/
kathleen.deery
@deeryk