Comparison of Perceived Needed Soft Skills of Undergraduate, Non-Traditional, Online Business Students to Employers’ Desired Soft Skills of Employees

Abstract

Soft skills development contributes to life-long learning and may help develop resilience and retention for long-term career success. The purpose of this research is to ascertain if adult learners with work experience have the requisite soft skills to advance their careers post-graduation. Human resource professionals’ priorities during the hiring process are also evaluated. Two questionnaires were completed with 805 combined adult learners and human resource professionals. The study suggests the balance of work experience and business program curriculum is the right foundation, combined with hard skills knowledge, to adequately prepare students for the right level of professional qualifications.