Research leader skills for your resume and career

Being able to analyze, draw conclusions, and solve business problems using data is the most in-demand skill right now in every industry and job function. The increased automation of processes and robust reporting capabilities have provided organizations with a tremendous amount of data. However, that data isn't useful unless it can be interpreted and applied appropriately. For individuals just getting in to data analytics, I suggest starting with data that interests you, such as your favorite sports team's statistics. Start playing around with the data in common applications, such as Microsoft Excel, or download open-source software available for free. Formalized instruction can be found all over the Internet, including YouTube tutorials (free) and LinkedIn Learning (for a fee).

The trend to be hyperflexible was already starting before the pandemic and became even more emphasized during the pandemic. Future workforce, both academic and research, will be required to think on their feet, learn to adapt immediately when unforeseen events occur, and be able to navigate a multitude of programs (teaching, collaboration, analyses, etc.). Being constantly aware of trends in teaching is a plus for all that apply for positions at universities.

Current and future graduate students have already proven to be resilient, a key skill that must continue. Clear communication is more important than ever with the increasing number of international students in graduate programs and international research collaborators necessary to complete vital areas of research for publications, grants, presentations, etc. Overall, graduate students should note what things they liked and disliked during their time in their respective program courses. They can then choose to keep some aspects and modify others when they are hired as faculty members, research post-docs, or research faculty in the next stages of their careers.

In terms of soft skills, those probably won't change much, they will simply be practiced differently. Being flexible is important since jobs may switch between home and office and since one may be dealing with someone else working from home and the challenges that can present-what cat owner hasn't had their cat walk in front of the camera or step on the wrong computer key? The ability to work in groups will continue to have importance as well as the ability to manage your own time and meet deadlines. At the same time, the nature of computer camera interaction means that people will have to learn to "read" others differently than they would in an in-person environment. Many recent articles have talked about how it is harder to read facial cues or detect emotional responses on the computer. Again, those presently taking synchronous classes have the opportunity to practice these skills--providing students turn on their cameras rather than relying only on audio. If the past year has demonstrated anything, it is that people need to be more culturally aware and sensitive and also be able to work with people of diverse backgrounds. History classes are a great way for students to better understand what others have gone through and how that might impact interaction today. Additionally, history classes-as well as college in general-should provide students with the skills to help create the kind of changes in institutions and companies that need to be made to make them more inclusive. Perhaps the greatest skill college students have is the ability to learn. I never intended to teach online, yet here I am doing just that. It required learning new ways to approach teaching, reconsideration of the ways students learned in the new environment, and figuring out new online programs to make all this happen. I was forced to do this as a result of the pandemic but most students will find that this sort of adjustment-whether foreseen or not-will be a regular part of their career path. The ability to learn these new skills, to apply new methods and to approach issues in new and innovative ways will help them stand out when it comes to looking for a job.