Many students studying social sciences and related liberal arts tend to undervalue the significance of their skills in the job market.
Studies conducted by employers, such as the Royal Bank of Canada or the Conference Board of Canada, reveal that some of the most in-demand skills are possessed by students in social sciences.
The skills listed here are based on the Skills and Competencies Taxonomy created by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) and partially sourced from the U.S. O*Net resource. They are ranked based on the Royal Bank of Canada and Conference Board of Canada reports linked below.
Explore the Government of Canada’s Skills website for a more in-depth understanding of various skills.
Some of the most in-demand skills include:
Active Listening
Actively listen, fully comprehend others’ points, ask relevant questions, and avoid interrupting at inappropriate moments.
Critical Thinking
Employ logic and reasoning to question, discern, interpret, and analyze different types of information in order to arrive at a conclusion or judgment based on evidence.
Oral Expression
Communicate information effectively when talking to others.
Reading Comprehension
Comprehend written information presented in work-related documents, including words, sentences, paragraphs, symbols, and images.
Information Box Group
Monitoring
Evaluate and track your own performance, as well as that of others or the organization, in order to make enhancements or implement corrective measures.
Coordinating
Coordinate individuals or groups by aligning activities with others, ensuring they function efficiently as a cohesive unit.
Social Perceptiveness
Recognize others’ reactions, unspoken communication, body language cues, and emotions, and understand the reasons behind their behaviours.
Decision-Making
Analyze information from various options, assess potential outcomes, and select the most suitable solutions to achieve a specific objective.
Information Box Group
Time Management
Effectively manage your own time and that of others.
Learning & Teaching Strategies
Choose and apply suitable training or instructional methods and procedures in a given situation when learning or teaching new concepts.
Writing
Communicate through written communication, using words, sentences, paragraphs, symbols, and images tailored to the needs of the audience.
Problem-Solving
Spot problems, examine relevant information, and generate solutions or viable options to reach the desired outcome.
A Chance to Learn for Skill Development — Not Grades
Would you like to take a course to develop your skills in an unfamiliar area — without worrying about grade outcomes? At McMaster, the Personal Interest Course (PIC) option is designed to encourage undergraduate students to explore interests outside of their program without affecting their Cumulative GPA. Once you are in Level II or above, this option gives you the opportunity to take a course in another Social Sciences area, or beyond, based on what you want to learn, or based on skills you want to develop. You can ‘declare’ a course as a ‘PIC’ when you enrol, subject to certain limits and conditions. Your academic or program advisor can help you to explore your options, understand the rules, or manage the declaration. See the full details, terms, and conditions explained on the Registrar’s website.
