Marketable Skills

Defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s 60x30 Strategic Plan as "Those skills valued by employers that can be applied in a variety of work settings, including interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skills areas. These skills can be either primary or complementary to a major and are acquired by students though education, including curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities."

Visit the TWU catalog program pages for information on the marketable skills associated with each degree plan.

What skills do employers want?

Soft skills

Personal attributes, personality traits, and communication abilities that enable someone to interact effectively and harmoniously with other people. Some examples include: 

  • Adaptability
  • Communication
  • Creative Thinking 
  • Critical Thinking
  • Teamwork
  • Work Ethic
  • Flexibility
  • Problem Solving
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Time Management
  • Integrity

Hard skills

Teachable abilities or skill sets that are easy to quantify. Attained in the classroom, through books or other training materials, or on the job. Some examples include: 

  • A Certificate or Degree
  • Proficiency in a Foreign Language
  • Computer Programming
  • Machine Operating
  • Nursing
  • Project Management
  • Web Design
  • Business Management

For more information

For more information on career development and how you can evaluate your marketable skills, please visit the Career Connections Center.

Page last updated 10:31 AM, February 6, 2023