NACE defines career readiness as the attainment and demonstration of competencies that broadly prepare graduates for a successful transition into the workplace. Our goal is to help you throughout the program develop and enhance these competencies in addition to the theory and practice defined by the NASPAA competencies in the courses.  

The competencies identified by NACE as the most desirable for recent graduates from employers are:  

Critical Thinking 

• • Make decisions and solve problems using sound, inclusive reasoning and judgment.
  • Gather and analyze information from a diverse set of sources and individuals to fully understand a problem.
  • Proactively anticipate needs and prioritize action steps.
  • Accurately summarize and interpret data with an awareness of personal biases that may impact outcomes.
  • Effectively communicate actions and rationale, recognizing the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of stakeholders.
  • Multi-task well in a fast-paced environment.

Communication 

• • Understand the importance of and demonstrate verbal, written, and non-verbal/body language, abilities.
  • Employ active listening, persuasion, and influencing skills.
  • Communicate in a clear and organized manner so that others can effectively understand.
  • Frame communication with respect to diversity of learning styles, varied individual communication abilities, and cultural differences.
  • Ask appropriate questions for specific information from supervisors, specialists, and others.
  • Promptly inform relevant others when needing guidance with assigned tasks.

Teamwork 

• • Listen carefully to others, taking time to understand and ask appropriate questions without interrupting.
  • Effectively manage conflict, interact with and respect diverse personalities, and meet ambiguity with resilience.
  • Be accountable for individual and team responsibilities and deliverables.
  • Employ personal strengths, knowledge, and talents to complement those of others.
  • Exercise the ability to compromise and be agile.
  • Collaborate with others to achieve common goals.
  • Build strong, positive working relationships with supervisor and team members/coworkers.

Technology 

• • Navigate change and be open to learning new technologies.
  • Use technology to improve efficiency and productivity of their work.
  • Identify appropriate technology for completing specific tasks.
  • Manage technology to integrate information to support relevant, effective, and timely decision-making.
  • Quickly adapt to new or unfamiliar technologies.
  • Manipulate information, construct ideas, and use technology to achieve strategic goals.

Professionalism 

• • Act equitably with integrity and accountability to self, others, and the organization.
  • Maintain a positive personal brand in alignment with organization and personal career values.
  • Be present and prepared.
  • Demonstrate dependability (e.g., report consistently for work or meetings).
  • Prioritize and complete tasks to accomplish organizational goals.
  • Consistently meet or exceed goals and expectations.
  • Have an attention to detail, resulting in few if any errors in their work.
  • Show a high level of dedication toward doing a good job.

Career & Self-Development

• • Show an awareness of own strengths and areas for development.
  • Identify areas for continual growth while pursuing and applying feedback.
  • Develop plans and goals for one’s future career.
  • Professionally advocate for oneself and others.
  • Display curiosity; seek out opportunities to learn.
  • Assume duties or positions that will help one progress professionally.
  • Establish, maintain, and/or leverage relationships with people who can help one professionally.
  • Seek and embrace development opportunities.
  • Voluntarily participate in further education, training, or other events to support one’s career.

Equity & Inclusion

• • Solicit and use feedback from multiple cultural perspectives to make inclusive and equity-minded decisions.
  • Actively contribute to inclusive and equitable practices that influence individual and systemic change.
  • Advocate for inclusion, equitable practices, justice, and empowerment for historically marginalized communities.
  • Seek global cross-cultural interactions and experiences that enhance one’s understanding of people from different demographic groups and that leads to personal growth.
  • Keep an open mind to diverse ideas and new ways of thinking.
  • Identify resources and eliminate barriers resulting from individual and systemic racism, inequities, and biases.
  • Demonstrate flexibility by adapting to diverse environments.
  • Address systems of privilege that limit opportunities for members of historically marginalized communities.

Leadership 

• • Inspire, persuade, and motivate self and others under a shared vision.
  • Seek out and leverage diverse resources and feedback from others to inform direction.
  • Use innovative thinking to go beyond traditional methods.
  • Serve as a role model to others by approaching tasks with confidence and a positive attitude.
  • Motivate and inspire others by encouraging them and by building mutual trust.
  • Plan, initiate, manage, complete and evaluate projects.

NACE: Career Readiness Defined from National Association of Colleges and Employers 

Practices for Effective Local Government Leadership

ICMA members have identified 14 core competencies that members have determined are essential to local government leadership and management.

14 Core Competencies:

• Personal and Professional Integrity
• Community Engagement
• Equity and Inclusion
• Staff Effectiveness
• Personal Resiliency and Development
• Strategic Leadership
• Strategic Planning
• Policy Facilitation and Implementation
• Community and Resident Service
• Service Delivery
• Technology Literacy
• Financial Management and Budgeting
• Human Resources Management and Workforce Engagement
• Communication and Information Sharing

Each of these skills like the NACE skills above and the MPA Competencies are broad and can serve as a guide as to how to continue to build upon the skills you already have and continue to develop new skills and competencies.

Strong professionalism has been found to be key in workplace success both in how work is conducted and how you continue the relationships within that workplace.  

Here are 10 ways you can develop and practice professionalism:  

1. Be productive
   Use your time productively at work.  Focus on your job responsibilities. Avoid getting pulled into personal matters such as social media, personal email and your phone.  
2. Develop a professional image
   Project a professional presence and dress appropriately for your industry and organization.  A good rule of thumb is to dress in the position you aspire to have. 
3. Take the initiative
   Ask for more projects to be given to you or think of assignments that will meet your organization’s goals.  You don’t want to be under-utilized. 
4. Manage your time efficiently
   Establish priorities, set goals and create action plans to meet deadlines. Follow up and follow through with your supervisor and team members. 
5. Demonstrate integrity
   Be accountable for your work and actions while behaving ethically at all times. 
6. Be a problem-solver
   When you run into problems and obstacles take the time to brainstorm a few solutions and alternatives before you meet with your supervisor. 
7. Be resilient
   Develop coping skills to manage setbacks and challenges with a positive and constructive attitude. 
8. Communicate effectively
   Practice professional on-line, in person and interpersonal communication skills. 
9. Develop self-awareness
   Learn to manage your emotions and gain awareness of your emotional triggers so you can manage your reactions positively and productively.  Accept and reflect on feedback to assist as you learn and grow. 
10. Build relationships
    Network with colleagues, customers and clients to build professional cordial relationships, work on teams and collaborate effectively. 

Source: https://career.vt.edu/develop/professionalism.html  

Throughout your courses and professional development all of these competencies will be important as you consider the next steps in your career. PA specific employers will look for you to be able to demonstrate both sets of competencies. These will help guide our work on the Professional Development Plan. Know that these are broad skills that many employers will seek, but this foundation will help you as you look to move into a variety of different roles.