As students, we’re preparing for our careers daily. Our courses teach us the specific, technical skills necessary to achieve greatness in our fields, but our future employers will also be looking for us to possess general job skills, often referred to as ‘soft skills.’

Soft skills will help you stand out from others and prepare you for success in any field. They make for great qualities to carry with you wherever your career takes you, while also helping in other areas of your life.

All they require is a little bit of practice!

Here are five soft skills you can benefit from in any career:

Communication

We’ve all heard the saying “communication is key,” and it’s no joke. Having great communication skills is essential for every job – not to mention all other areas of your life. This skill entails being clear about what you mean and what you want to achieve when you talk or write. It also involves listening, understanding where someone else is coming from, and confidently presenting yourself.

To improve your communication skills while you’re still in school you can:

• Get a part-time job with lots of customer interaction.
• Take up a communications-based activity like a debate team, comedy clubs, acting groups, student newspapers or student radio.
• Attend workshops run by career services.

Teamwork & Collaboration

Teamwork makes the dream work, right? Being able to collaborate and be a great team member is an essential skill that every team will benefit from, no matter the industry.

Through your studies or elsewhere, you’ve most likely already gained teamwork skills without even realizing it! Try improving them with things like:

• Joining a sports team or club.
• Volunteering for a charity.
• Becoming a part of the student union.

Organization

When you’re organized and able to manage your time, things get done faster and more efficiently. This shows your employer you can prioritize and focus on what needs to get done and meet deadlines.

To keep yourself organized, find a method that works best for you:

• Take notes and make to-do lists in your IGNITE agenda or journal.
• Set reminders on your phone.

Problem Solving

Expect the unexpected. Having the ability to problem solve logically and analytically is an asset to any team. Problem-solving skills can include taking initiative, creative thinking, influencing skills, and working well under pressure.

If you’re looking to improve your problem-solving skills, try:

• Doing DIY projects.
• Resolving issues with friends or family.
• Organize an event or contest and overcome any difficulties along the way.
• Be a mentor for other students and help them through any issues they might be having.

Leadership

Chances are, you won’t start with a management position right away. That being said, having leadership skills from the start is a great way to build your career no matter what field you choose.

One of the best ways to learn leadership skills is by learning from the best, like Raptors President Masai Ujiri, who sat down for a Fireside Chat with IGNITE to talk about the importance of teamwork and leadership – log in to your student account to check it out!

If you’re itching for more Masai, you’re in luck – Real Talks with Masai Ujiri is happening on Feb. 18! Learn more about Masai and his career, and test your soft skills to win prizes like an Apple Watch or Beats by Dr. Dre headphones.

Looking for more skills to learn? Knowing how to argue constructively can be a great one to learn for all areas of your life. Here is our step-by-step guide!

Follow IGNITE on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for all things student life.