Ready to Work on Day 1
We are excited to announce the launch of the ÐÓ°ÉÔ°æ Career Readiness Initiative. NU has identified a list of workplace competencies and certificates to prepare students even more fully for the workplace. This initiative bridges the gap that so many employers see when new hires are not completely ready to enter the workforce after graduation.
At Northwest, we desire for all undergraduate students to leave NU equipped and able to communicate to future employers that Northwest prepared them well; not just with courses and degrees, but with quantifiable work skills and certificates. We know that many professional skills are already being taught in our classes, but the modifications to NU's core curriculum through the Career Readiness Initiative will provide hiring managers with measurable evidence as to the abilities our graduates can bring to their teams.
The Integration of Education and Vocation
“We have two NU graduates who are now leading Operations and Investments for our firm. That’s tremendous value and growth for people who started out as interns. They have earned these roles through rolling up their sleeves and solving problems for our clients and for the business. They put other’s needs ahead of their own and act with integrity, and they’re passionate about constantly making us better.
We are making an investment in our interns, and this initiative helps us get a return on this investment sooner. We think that’s a win for students since it allows us to hire more interns, and we think it’s a win for the business because they are able to contribute sooner. Businesses like ours are built on trust, and the NU students we have hired have rapidly earned our trust. Individuals with integrity will always be in high demand, and when you combine character with tangible skills, that’s someone who can provide value to any business.”
Michael Greene Advisor, VP of Operations
Highland Private Wealth
Professional Skills
Professional skills are organized under competency groups. A professional skill is made up of a minimum of six student hours of work (inside and outside of class) including some amount of reading and an associated assignment (or part of a larger assignment). We strategically identified a number of courses in the core curriculum to offer at least one professional skill.
Competency Group | Professional Skills |
---|---|
Adaptability |
|
Group Communication |
|
Interpersonal Communication |
|
Critical Thinking |
|
Cultural Awareness |
|
Empathy |
|
Grit |
|
Integrity |
|
Leadership |
|
Professionalism |
|
Teamwork |
|
Technology |
|
Interested in joining the Career Readiness Initiative?
Contact Peter Carlson to become a mentor or to inquire about our graduates.
Peter Carlson
Director of Career Services
peter.carlson@northwestu.edu
425-889-5208