Portfolio 2018-19

Soft Skills: Setting Personal Goals

What are soft skills?
Soft skills are a combination of interpersonal people skills, social skills, and communication
skills. In the workplace and school environment, soft skills are considered a complement to hard
skills, which refer to a person's knowledge and technical expertise.

Your task:
From the list below, choose ​two soft skills​ that you would like to work on over the course of the
school year. Do NOT choose the same skills you have chosen previously.

​Common soft skills for college/career readiness:

● Self advocacy​ – Identify your needs and be able to explain them to others; ask for help when
you need it.
● Responsibility​ – You are held accountable for their actions in academic, personal and social
contexts.
● Self management​ – Self management includes all aspects of taking control of your life
including monitoring your own health, eating habits, self care, laundry, finances, etc.
● Communication​ – Listen and express yourself so you may communicate effectively with other
people both orally and in writing.
● Teamwork and collaboration​ – Work effectively with others to successfully complete
projects as part of a group.
● Critical thinking and problem solving​ – Think critically and analytically, both in the
classroom and in other aspects of her life, in order to make decisions, solve problems, etc.
● Study skills​ – Work independently, organize work, read carefully, prepare for tests, plan
ahead, use different strategies to practice and memorize, be comfortable writing in many forms.
● Comfort with technology​ – Be comfortable and proficient with online research, e-mail
communication, and various software programs like Google Slides, Sheets, etc.
● Tolerate ambiguity​ – Know that life isn’t always black and white; understand and work in a
“gray” area to be more comfortable and to understand subtleties better.
● Comfort with diversity​ – Be open to new people, different cultures, different lifestyles, and
different ways of thinking and behaving.
● Innovation and creative thinking​ – Be willing and able to “think outside the box” and apply
new approaches.
● Ability to work independently​ – Do large blocks of work on your own and keep track of your
work and responsibilities.
● Ability to follow directions​ – You need to be able to follow both simple and more complex
directions.
 ● Have personal goals​ – Have strong personal goals -- even if they change over time -- to help
yourself be engaged and stay on track.
● Be engaged​ – Participate actively in your own education, expect to work hard, and stay
involved.

What would you like to work on this year? Select two and write your thoughts below.

Skill #1​:
Why did you select this skill? Consider why it is important to you and why you think you need
to work on this skill.

The 1st skill I selected was teamwork and collaboration. I think it is important to be able to talk
to everyone around you to push each other forward to complete a common goal everyone has. I
think I need to work on this skill because over my school years I have taken on group projects
without consulting my partners and finishing without ever telling them.

Name three ways you can work on developing this skill. Consider what you can do both inside
and outside of school.

One way I can develop this skill is by making sure I understand what the people I’m working
with want. I can also develop this skill by simply working with people more as a firsthand
experience.
Another way I can develop this skill is by working harder so I can better help those around me
when I do get paired up with people.

Skill #2​:
Why did you select this skill? Consider why it is important to you and why you think you need
to work on this skill.
I selected self management, I think it is important to be able to manage your time, finances, and
work if you want to get anything done in a fast easy way.
Name three ways you can work on developing this skill. Consider what you can do both inside
and outside of school.
I can work on self management by taking care of all the work I have to right away, whether it is
in school or outside of it. Along with completing all my work I have to be sure to take care of all
my finances

At the end of the year, you will reflect on your soft skills progress in your final presentation.