The Mysterious Language ofCompetencies
- What every student needs to know
What is a competency?
During your degree, you will be assessed thoroughly on the knowledge of your subject and your ability to critique and analyse your own work and the work of others. These are excellent skills that prepare you well for your next step, but employers use the language of competencies.
A competencydescribes a skill, and your level of ability at that skill. For example the skill of negotiation, of verbal presentations, or a technical skill such as operating a microscope. When you apply for internships or a job vacancy, you will need to speak the language of competenciesand provide evidence for them, so that employers can understand how good you are!
Some people feel very uncomfortable about ‘blowing their own trumpet’, but by talking positively about your competencies, you are helping employers to understand how you can fit into their organisation and the contributions that you can make – and perhaps getting that dream job offer!
What competencies do I get from my degree?
Depending on the nature of your degree you will be developing a range of competencies all the time – however you may not realise it, and your lecturers may not speak to you in the mysterious language of competencies.
Some of the competencies that you will be building up are:
- Working in a team and understanding best ways of working together with and leading others
- Communicating, whether in writing, by giving a formal presentation or speaking informally with colleagues
- Meeting deadlines and planning your work
- Technical skills such as biology laboratory techniques
How will an internship help my competencies?
An internship will help you to understand how all of the competencies you have learned so far can be transferred into workplace situations. You might find that your essay writing skills mean that you can turn out an excellent report for the boss, or that the presentation skills you developed in tutorials allow you to put ideas across to clients.
Am I assessed on my competencies?
The big difference between University and the workplace is that employers will use competency frameworks almost exclusively to assess your ability, which will determine your progression and pay. At University your main form of assessment will be on the subject knowledge and understanding that you can demonstrate in exams, essays and practicals.
How do I talk about my competencies on a CV or at a job interview?
Therefore, it’s very important that you learn the mysterious language of competencies when writing job applications and talking at interview. Look at the ‘competency framework’ below to get an idea of the kind of competencies that you should be able to talk to employers about.
What are the common competencies that employers look for?
The table below shows you a section of a competency framework – it describes the common competencies that an undergraduate student should have. Each employer uses a slightly different competency framework, and smaller organisations may not have a formal framework but are still likely to be looking for the same sort of competencies.
Teamworking, working with others / Youshould be able to provide evidence ofteamworking through various group work projects that form part of your degree. If you have completed some kind of work experience or extra-curricular activities you will have further developed these skills, understanding the importance of clear communication, delegation and challenging inappropriate behaviours.
Leadership and management potential / Depending on your experience in the workplace and in extra-curricular activities, you should have an understanding of what makes a good leader and should be willing to begin to develop these skills in yourself.
Communication skills / You should have good skills in verbal and written communication. You should be developing strategies and creating opportunities to improve them. You should have a bioethical awareness of your study/research and understand that you have a responsibility to communicate science professionally to others.
Self management, motivation and professionalism / You are working to a structured timetable and are required to meet fixed deadlines and organise your own time for project work and revision. You may also fit these tasks around extra-curricular activities and employment. Attainment of high academic grades usually indicates success in self-management, organisation and motivation, owing to the high workload of a science degree. Professionalism may be reflected in the amount of time you have spent in employment, voluntary work or extra-curricular activities.
Commercial responsibility and business development / Your work experience and extra-curricular activities, may have given you some experience of commercial and business operation. If you have studied an enterprise module or undertaken other enterprise activities you will have further developed this competency.
Professional development / A competency in professional development means that you are continually looking for ways to learn and develop yourself. Throughout University you will have had opportunities to learn new skills, sign up for courses and improve yourself. These are examples of your willingness to develop professionally. If you do an internship or year-in-industry, you might have further opportunities to take part in training courses or other opportunities at your host organisation.
Ethical and sustainable practice / Depending on your work and extra-curricular activities, you should have an awareness of the concepts of ethical and sustainable practice.
Scientific skills / You will have spent 150 hours per year acquiring basic laboratory skills such as aseptic technique, basic molecular biology, basic protein expression techniques, fieldwork, statistical analysis, basic experimental design. You will understand the principles of Good Laboratory Practice. In your final year you will complete a ~10-week research project where you design your own experiments, analyse data, prepare a 8000 word report and present your results verbally.