Success Skills Journal – Introduction
To get, and keep, a job you typically need a repertoire of technical skills. Dentists need to know how to fill cavities. Secretaries need to type 100+ words per minute. Accountants need to be certified.
Beyond the technical skills, though, which dentist do you go to? The one who is pleasant and takes time to answer your questions; or the one who treats you like a number in a long line of numbered mouths?
Which secretary do you retain when times are lean? The one whose attitude is positive and upbeat, and who is always willing to help; or the one who is inflexible and has a hard time admitting mistakes?
Likewise, think about accountants. The one who has a great work ethic and encourages his colleagues is the one who will, most likely, excel in his position and organization.
In these situations, and all the others like them, it’s the soft skills that matter.
While your technical skills may get your foot in the door, your people skills are what open most of the doors to come. Your work ethic, your attitude, your communication skills, your emotional intelligence and a whole host of other personal attributes are the soft skills that are crucial for career success. – “Why Soft Skills Matter: Making Sure Your Hard Skills Shine”
This module addresses “soft skills” that are necessary for success in both college and professional life. While these skills aren’t usually taught in school, you will be expected to have them in order to do well in classes and to succeed in the workplace.
The Success Skills Journal will ask you to reflect on the individual components addressed in this module of the course. You will assess how strong your own “soft skills” are at the moment, and what you might do in order to improve them.
Assignment Details
Look for the Try It pages along the way to help you complete the Success Skills Journal project. Examples of successful journal entries will be provided as a model.
Rubric
In order to successfully complete this assessment, a submitted journal must reach “Meets or Exceeds Expectations” in all categories.
Ratings
| Criteria |
| Habits for Success Journal Entry |
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
- 200–400 words long
- fully addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates thoughtful consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- demonstrates application of writing process, to include careful editing and proofreading
|
Approaching Expectations
- 125-200 words long
- partially addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates some consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- may not demonstrate application of writing process, to include editing and proofreading
|
Does Not Meet Expectations
- less than 125 words long, or not included in journal
- does not address question(s) of prompt
- does not demonstrate consideration or planning relevant to the topic
- does not demonstrate application of writing process
|
| Critical Thinking Journal Entry |
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
- 200–400 words long
- fully addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates thoughtful consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- demonstrates application of writing process, to include careful editing and proofreading
|
Approaching Expectations
- 125-200 words long
- partially addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates some consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- may not demonstrate application of writing process, to include editing and proofreading
|
Does Not Meet Expectations
- less than 125 words long, or not included in journal
- does not address question(s) of prompt
- does not demonstrate consideration or planning relevant to the topic
- does not demonstrate application of writing process
|
| Time Management Journal Entry |
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
- 200–400 words long
- fully addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates thoughtful consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- demonstrates application of writing process, to include careful editing and proofreading
|
Approaching Expectations
- 125-200 words long
- partially addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates some consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- may not demonstrate application of writing process, to include editing and proofreading
|
Does Not Meet Expectations
- less than 125 words long, or not included in journal
- does not address question(s) of prompt
- does not demonstrate consideration or planning relevant to the topic
- does not demonstrate application of writing process
|
| Writing in College Journal Entry |
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
- 200–400 words long
- fully addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates thoughtful consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- demonstrates application of writing process, to include careful editing and proofreading
|
Approaching Expectations
- 125-200 words long
- partially addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates some consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- may not demonstrate application of writing process, to include editing and proofreading
|
Does Not Meet Expectations
- less than 125 words long, or not included in journal
- does not address question(s) of prompt
- does not demonstrate consideration or planning relevant to the topic
- does not demonstrate application of writing process
|
| Computer-Based Writing Journal Entry |
Meets or Exceeds Expectations
- 200–400 words long
- fully addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates thoughtful consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- demonstrates application of writing process, to include careful editing and proofreading
|
Approaching Expectations
- 125-200 words long
- partially addresses question(s) of prompt
- demonstrates some consideration and planning relevant to the topic
- may not demonstrate application of writing process, to include editing and proofreading
|
Does Not Meet Expectations
- less than 125 words long, or not included in journal
- does not address question(s) of prompt
- does not demonstrate consideration or planning relevant to the topic
- does not demonstrate application of writing process
|