What besides a degree?

Students come to colleges and universities to get a degree so that they may put themselves in competition for a good paying and satisfying job. That is something everybody knows. But what I think is not stressed enough are the skills and traits students need to have to keep a professional job. I have a short list of what I think are important traits that students will want to show employers early on, i.e. show them that they are more than just a recently stamped college graduate who did well in the interview:

1.) Humility - Nobody wants a know-it-all working for them or over them, especially one just out of college! Accept that there are things you don't know and show that you are more than willing to learn how things are done.

2.) Tact - I think we in academia would do our students a service if we offered Tact 101. Knowing when not to say what you are thinking is a great skill to have in all walks of life, but especially the professional workplace. You don't want to be known as the person who starts cubicle or office wars between co-workers.

3.) Self-awareness - How does this make my company or boss look is a good question to ask before you send that angry email. Being able to step out of your own ego and see how others might view what you are saying and doing can keep you out of a lot of trouble before it begins.

4.) Honesty - If you make the mistake and confess to the error, your employer is likely to be more forgiving than if you try to carry off a cover-up. This is linked back to humility.

5.) Perserverance - A transcript with loads of W's doesn't tell a future employer that you have much ability to see something through when things get difficult. People want to hire people who have the self-confidence to work through the tough patches and see something through to the end.

6.) Dependability - If you say you are going to pick up the job candidate at 6:30 in the morning at the airport, your boss shouldn't be up at night wondering if you'll really do what you said you would do. To be known as a person of your word is a great honor and makes you someone they'll want to keep around the office.

Those are the six that come easily to mind. And you certainly don't have to start practicing them when you get your first job. You can work on these six right now in your dealings with your professors, advisors, fellow students, and your current employer if you have one. You might be able to fool them in the interview and with the resume that you have these traits, but the truth will work itself out if you don't really possess them. And that might just work yourself out of a job no matter the college degree you have on your wall.