Students gain important career, interpersonal, and life skills in General Education courses at Berkeley College

While Berkeley College is known for proven career-focused degree and certificate programs that prepare students for success in a wide range of career fields, learning at the 93-year-old institution goes far beyond the hands-on skills training taught in the major courses within each program. Today’s employers look for graduates with strong interpersonal and critical-thinking skills as well as robust communication abilities when hiring. And Berkeley goes above and beyond in providing opportunities to develop these essential competencies.

Empowering each student to achieve lifelong success

“Berkeley College empowers each student to achieve lifelong success—that’s the mission of the College,” noted Dr. Byron K. Hargrove, Director, Division of General Education. “To empower a student means to provide them with the tools, resources, and support they need to be successful and career-focused.” He elaborated, “Our faculty create learning experiences that enhance students’ societal knowledge, self-confidence, and transferrable skills like public speaking, communication, digital literacy, collaboration, writing, research, quantitative reasoning, and cultural appreciation.”

Finding new talents and interests, enhancing career skills

Many Berkeley College professors create courses and projects that help students develop their “soft” skills and even find new areas where they show an interest or particular talent. They also point out the benefits of encouraging students to step outside their comfort zones.

“Taking General Education classes allows students to explore strengths outside their major, hone skills in written and oral expression, and interact with students outside their major,” according to Professor Patricia Cowan, who has taught at Berkeley for 27 years. “Students can have the best skills in their area of study,” she continued, “but if they can't convince the employer of that, they won't get the job!”

Enhancing professional success

Professor Lisa Karakas agreed, “Berkeley College’s General Education courses provide a solid foundation for any major and any career path. Students learn the important skills of speaking and writing clearly, confidently, creatively, and professionally; thinking critically; and demonstrating information and AI literacy. These are vital not only for students’ academic and professional success but also enhance many other aspects of their lives.”

Students recognize the importance

Professor Karakas’ students also attest to the value of courses outside of their majors. “My writing class at Berkeley College was pivotal in preparing me for my Master’s degree program by honing my ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively,” said Earl D. O’Brien, Jr., a Mental Health Counselor/Therapist/Life Coach/Christian Counselor, who earned his Bachelor’s degree from Berkeley College in 2018. “This foundation not only led me to publish my first book and start working on a second but also supports me in writing precise case notes as a mental health professional. The skills I developed allow me to communicate insights that support both my clients’ growth and my contributions to the field.”

Shakim R. Richardson, a math teacher who earned a Bachelor’s degree from Berkeley College in 2018, said, “Taking a Public Speaking course at Berkeley College helped me to face my fear of talking in front of people. I use the skills I learned when talking in front of my students and colleagues. I am glad that I took Public Speaking seriously at Berkeley because it is a transferable skill that I have been able to demonstrate in my own classroom and life.”

“My Writing and Research course at Berkeley College is not only tremendously enhancing my writing skills but is also building my communication and communicative skills,” asserts Brett Flournoy, a current Berkeley College student. “As a fitness coach, this helps when I write my weekly emails and interact with my clients.”

Giving students an edge for career advancement

Dr. Jonathan Weidenbaum added, “Over the more than 19 years I have been teaching at Berkeley College, I have received a lot of feedback from alumni. A common theme is that the skills they have taken from my classes have given them an edge for the advancement of their careers. They are able to engage more effectively with other points of view and they can present their own positions far more confidently and clearly. These are among the many benefits of an education which includes courses in the liberal arts and humanities.”

Dr. Weidenbaum teaches courses in philosophy, ethics, bioethics, and world religions. “These courses greatly broaden the minds of our students and sharpen their skills in a number of vital ways,” he noted. “The study of world religions is particularly valuable in today's job market, for it introduces students to the central values and most abiding forms of meaning found in every culture on the planet. Bioethics, in addition to a course I helped develop in the Honors Program titled Bioethics, Medical Humanities, and Social Justice, immerses the class in some extremely challenging and divisive controversies surrounding the practice of medicine—from end-of-life issues to the impact of new medical technologies. By the end of these courses, an attentive student has vastly increased their ability to formulate arguments, read more pointedly, wean relevant points from a wealth of material, examine situations from a novel perspective, and assess multiple sides of a dispute.”

Providing students with the total package

Dr. Hargrove concluded, “Our faculty also design learning experiences to help our students navigate the College culture; build connections with faculty, staff, and peers; and reinforce self-direction strategies at work, home, and school.”

The result is a career-focused education from Berkeley College that truly combines the rigorous skills graduates will need with the confidence and complementary skills that will set them apart in a competitive job market.

The views and/or opinions in this article are those of the individuals interviewed. The academic achievements and/or employment outcomes described in this article are specific to each individual and are not a guarantee of similar results for past or current students. For up-to-date and detailed information, please visit BerkeleyCollege.edu and view our catalogs at BerkeleyCollege.edu/publications.