Daberkow, Stan (author), Hines, Fred (author), and Petrulis, Mindy (author)
Format:
Book chapter
Publication Date:
1986
Published:
USA
Location:
Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Document Number: C21488
Notes:
Pages 15-40 in Peter F. Korsching and Judith Gildner (eds.), Interdependencies of agriculture and rural communities in the twenty-first century. Conference proceedings published by the North Central Regional Center for Rural Development, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa. 237 pages.
3 pages., Via online journal., Increased global trade coupled with diversified employment opportunities demand college graduates possessing well-developed professional skills. Recent survey results identified the importance of professional skills among candidates seeking employment, with communication being recognized as the most important skill or quality when selecting candidates. The ability to work within a team structure, solve complex problems, and organize and prioritize work also ranked high among industry employment needs. Despite a rigorous focus on discipline-oriented knowledge and skills, development of professional skills in students of horticulture may be overlooked or not fully developed. Teaching methods can be modified to incorporate development of professional skills and discipline-oriented knowledge to enhance student employment preparedness and directly address industry needs.