Different education choices lead to different skills. Knowing what skills you gained or will gain from education can help you see what you are good at and what you need to work on. It can also help you explain your skills to employers when you are looking for a job.
Common Skills
Even though the skills needed for different jobs can be different, there are skills that you can learn no matter what you study. Here are some examples of the skills that are gained in many different fields of study:
- Communication
- Teamwork
- Planning
- Leadership
- Flexibility
- Interpersonal skills
Skill Definitions
Skills are divided into several groups with the following definitions:
General Observations
- Occupational skills are mentioned in about 80% of job postings. For fields of study Mathematics, computer and information sciences mentions them the most at 93%.
- Social-emotional skills are mentioned in about 95% of job postings with Business, management and public administration mentioning them the most at 98%.
- Technologies are mentioned in about 43% of job postings. Mathematics, computer and information sciences mentions them the most at 77%.
- Tools and equipment are rarely mentioned with only 6% of job postings including them. Agriculture, natural resources and conservation is well above this rate with 23% of job postings requesting tools and equipment.
- Certifications are mentioned in about 46% of job postings overall. Health and related fields require them the most at 70%.
Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Conservation
This series includes programs that focus on farming, animals, plants, veterinary, and protecting nature. It covers things like agriculture, food science, plant science, veterinary medicine, forestry, fisheries, and natural resources.
In job postings, employers ask for social and emotional skills in 95% of cases, and they ask for job-related skills about 80% of the time. They also often want people to know how to use specific technology, which is mentioned in about 53% of job postings. Specific tools and equipment are only mentioned 23% of the time, but that is the most of any major field of study group. Certifications are requested 46% of the time.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Architecture, Engineering, and Related Trades
This series includes programs that prepare students for jobs in things like architecture, engineering, construction, and working with tools.
Employers often want people who have good social and emotional skills, and these skills are asked for in 97% of job postings. Job-related skills are requested in 91% of postings. They also often look for people who know how to use technology, which is mentioned in 60% of job postings. Specific tools and equipment are requested less often, but at 15% that is well above the average of 6%. Specific certifications are requested in 45% of job postings, which is about average for all postings.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Business, Management, and Public Administration
This series includes programs that prepare students to work in government or businesses, managing programs, or running companies. It covers things like learning how to manage people, market products, develop policies, and handle money.
Employers often want people with strong social and emotional skills, which is mentioned in 98% of job postings. They also often look for people who have job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 90% of job postings. They sometimes mention technology skills, which are mentioned in about 57% of postings.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Education
This series includes programs that focus on teaching, researching, running schools, and helping students in schools.
Employers often want people who have good social and emotional skills, which is mentioned in 84% of job postings. They also sometimes look for people who have job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 48% of postings. They might also mention technology skills, but not as often. It is only mentioned in about 21% of postings. Certifications are requested at an above-average rate of 56%.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Health and Related Fields
This series includes programs that focus on recreation, fitness, health, and medicine. It covers topics like managing recreational activities, studying how bodies move, and working in healthcare like medicine or dentistry.
Employers often want people who have good social and emotional skills, which is mentioned in 94% of job postings. They also usually look for people with job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 69% of postings. They might mention technology skills, but not as often. It is only mentioned in 18% of job postings. Certifications are requested at the highest rate at 70% in this field of study.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Humanities
This series includes programs that study human society and culture. It covers things like English, history, philosophy, and languages.
Employers often want workers with good social and emotional skills, which is mentioned in 97% of job postings. They also often look for people who have job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 72% of postings. Sometimes they mention technology skills, but only about 31% of the time.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Mathematics, Computer, and Information Sciences
This series includes programs like mathematics, statistics, computer science, library science, data science, and data analytics.
Employers often want workers who have good social and emotional skills, which is mentioned in 96% of job postings. They also usually look for people with job-related skills, which are mentioned in 93% of job postings, the highest rate out of the major fields of study. They mention technology in about 77% of postings, which is the highest of all the major fields of study.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Personal, Protective, and Transportation Services
This series includes programs that prepare students for jobs like hairdressing, working in restaurants, funeral service, and providing security. It also covers jobs like working in the military or transportation.
Employers often want workers who have good social and emotional skills, which is mentioned in 95% of job postings. They also usually look for people with job-related skills, which are mentioned in 85% of job postings. They mention technology in about 34% of postings. Tools and equipment are requested 21% of the time, which is well above the average of 6%. Employers requested certifications at the second highest rate at 62% in this field of study.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Physical and Life Sciences and Technologies
This series includes programs that focus on studying nature, like studying animals, plants, and the environment. It also covers using science to solve problems and make discoveries. It includes programs like biology, chemistry, and physics.
Employers often want workers who have good social and emotional skills and can work well with others, which is mentioned in 94% of job postings. They also look for people with job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 77% of postings. They sometimes mention technology skills, but not as often. Technology is only mentioned in about 34% of postings.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Social and Behavioural Sciences and Law
This series includes programs that study how people live together, how societies work, and how people behave. It also includes programs that prepare students to become lawyers. It covers things like communications, law, psychology, anthropology, and sociology.
Employers often want people who have good social and emotional skills and can work well with others, which is mentioned in 97% of job postings. They also usually look for people who have job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 76% of postings. Sometimes they mention technology skills, but only about 39% of the time.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Visual and Performing Arts, and Communications Technologies
This series includes programs that prepare students for jobs in making videos, music, and art. It covers things like working with cameras and other recording equipment, creating graphics, and performing arts like music and dance.
Employers often want people with good social and emotional skills who can work well with others, which is mentioned in 96% of job postings. They also usually look for people who have job-related skills, which are mentioned in about 74% of postings. They often mention technology skills, which are found in about 54% of postings.
The top skills associated with these programs are:
Source: Vicinity Jobs. Postings by CIP By Skill. January 1, 2018 – December 31, 2024.