Think college is just about studying, lectures, exams and scrambling to finish work by deadlines? Think again! At Syracuse University, we mix it up with the Shared Competencies—a set of skills embedded into every undergraduate student’s experience, no matter your major or school. From creative thinking skills to scientific inquiry, Syracuse University is dedicated to making sure every student is developing career skills before we walk across the graduation stage.
So what exactly are these career skills? Read on to learn more about the six Shared Competencies!
Ethics and Integrity
- Reflection on the dynamic relationships among one’s values, sense of self and social contexts.
- Thoughtful engagement on settings and experiences that present ethical problems, varying perspectives and how one evolves as they analyze positions and ethical issues.
- Application of ethical decision-making in the context of personal, academic, professional and collaborative pursuits.
Critical and Creative Thinking
- Exploration and synthesis of ideas, artifacts, issues and events to inform and evaluate arguments, develop new insights and produce creative work.
- Reflection on and application of divergent modes of inquiry, analysis and innovation to research, knowledge and artistic creation.
Scientific Inquiry and Research Skills
- Application of scientific inquiry and problem-solving in various contexts.
- Analysis of theories, replication of procedures and rethinking existing frameworks.
- Supporting arguments through research, data, and quantitative and qualitative evidence that can generate new knowledge.
Civic and Global Responsibility
- Exploration and analysis of a complex and changing world.
- Engagement in responsible, collaborative and reciprocal learning, with an emphasis on self-reflection, civil discourse, reciprocity and participating as engaged citizens in local and global contexts.
Communication Skills
- Effective individual, interpersonal and collaborative presentation and development of ideas through oral, written and other forms of expression to inform, persuade or inspire.
Information Literacy and Technological Agility
- Identification, collection, evaluation and responsible use of information.
- Effective, ethical and critical application of various technologies and media in academic, creative, personal and professional endeavors.
Now that you know what the Shared Competencies are, you need to know where to find them!
The Shared Competencies can be found in a range of places on campus, including the Course Catalog, Class Search, Schedule Builder, Handshake and ‘Cuse Activities. By integrating these learning goals throughout campus experiences, we’re able to develop skills that prepare us for post-graduate opportunities. Think of them as the ultimate toolkit for navigating life after college!
Classes, campus jobs and Recognized Student Organization (RSO) events are also tagged with the Shared Competencies, allowing us to see which transferable skills we’re gaining from experiences. These Competencies are built right into our classes, projects and experiences, so we are constantly raising the bar—often without even realizing it!
Overall, the Shared Competencies are an essential launchpad for success in whatever path you choose. These career skills exist for the purpose of enriching your learning experiences!
You can visit the Institutional Effectiveness website for more information about how to find the Shared Competencies and to design your own experience.
Written By Ryan Ludwig ’29, Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs