# CareerCompetencies

**Source**: https://ccd.rice.edu/students/career-ecosystem/career-competencies
**Parent**: https://ccd.rice.edu/

Career Advising & Resources

# Career **Competencies**

## **Demonstrate the Skills Employers Are Seeking.**

##### 

You are already doing the hard work in your classes, research, and on-campus jobs. The challenge is translating those experiences into the language that employers and top graduate programs value.

At the Center for Career Development (CCD), we focus on your **"Flex Skills"**—the essential career competencies that prepare you for early success and a lifetime of career fulfillment.

##### The 8 Career Competencies

Based on research from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), these [eight career competencies](https://www.naceweb.org/career-readiness/competencies/career-readiness-defined#competencies) are what employers prioritize most in new hires.\

| Competency | How it's Demonstrated |
| --- | --- |
| Career & Self-Development | Taking charge of your growth, learning continuously, and confidently navigating your career path |
| Communication | Sharing your ideas clearly, listening actively, and connecting with people inside and outside your field |
| Critical Thinking | Analyzing information, solving complex problems, and making logical decisions when faced with new challenges |
| Equity & Inclusion | Championing diverse perspectives, engaging with empathy, and helping build spaces where everyone belongs |
| Leadership | Guiding teams, inspiring others, and taking initiative to drive results |
| Professionalism | Showing up with integrity, accountability, and a reliable work ethic |
| Teamwork | Collaborating smoothly with others to achieve shared goals |
| Technology | Adapting to and leveraging the right digital tools to maximize your impact |

##### How We Help You Level Up

We don’t just define these skills; we help you measure and maximize them. Schedule an appointment with a counselor to discuss your competencies further. Evaluate exactly where you shine and identify the best areas to stretch yourself further.

[Schedule an appointment in 12twenty](https://rice.12twenty.com)

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