Last week, a former student of SCCA, Brit Zerbo, spoke to our class about her experiences as a designer. She was candid about her successes and challenges, which was greatly appreciated. Brit highlighted the significance of both hard skills and soft skills, stating that “hard skills will secure an interview, but soft skills will secure the job.” This week, we have been asked to reflect on our own top three hard skills and soft skills for our blog.
In regards to hard skills, I have a strong understanding of HTML/CSS, proficiency in using the Microsoft Office suite, and I am competent in troubleshooting computer software issues. These hard skills are all related to technology, which I believe is crucial as our world becomes increasingly dependent on software and the internet. I discovered a love for HTML/CSS coding while learning the basics a month before starting school, and it has since become a personal interest of mine. I believe this knowledge will make working with developers much smoother as a designer. I am familiar with most of the programs within Microsoft Office, excluding Excel. However, if the need arises, I am ready to learn. Additionally, being able to troubleshoot technology has been one of my most valuable hard skills, stemming from my early curiosity about technology. While it can be overwhelming to fix issues for others, it is also very rewarding to help others learn how to handle similar problems in the future.
In terms of soft skills, I believe I am effective in communication, able to independently solve problems, and growing as a leader in group settings. During my time in the program, I have been successful in communicating with my peers and setting expectations when working with others. I also enjoy problem-solving on my own and using available resources before seeking assistance from others. Finally, I am becoming more confident in taking on a leadership role, something that was not initially within my comfort zone. I am eager to one day be a senior employee and lead a team towards success.
During my time at SCCA, I hope to further develop both my hard and soft skills. I aim to advance my knowledge of the Adobe suite, as we will be learning it in class. I also want to improve my abilities in user research and making website and app interactions more user-friendly, although I am not necessarily pursuing a career in UX design. As for soft skills, I aim to become a better public speaker and improve my time management. Public speaking will likely be a frequent occurrence in my future work, and I recognize the importance of good time management as I continue to grow in the program.