A college degree has long been seen as a ticket to a better future. In fact, as highlighted in the 2025 NSLS State of Higher Ed report, 73% of Americans still believe higher education offers a good return on investment. But while degrees still hold value, many graduates are discovering a critical disconnect between what they’ve learned in school and what employers expect from new hires.
A major factor in this disconnect: soft skills.
The Disconnect Between Students and Employers
When you think about the skills needed to land your dream job, technical know-how, proficiency in the latest tools, or deep knowledge of your field may come to mind. But according to employers, the top skills they want are problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.
Here’s the problem: only 51.5% of undergraduates identified problem-solving as a critical skill, according to the State of Higher Ed 2025 report. Meanwhile, 88.3% of employers say it’s essential.
And it’s not just problem-solving. Employers are increasingly hiring based on skills rather than credentials. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), nearly two-thirds of employers now use a skills-based hiring model, yet many students aren't being taught how to demonstrate or communicate the skills they’ve gained.
In other words, they lack the soft skills necessary to communicate effectively and demonstrably.
What Are Soft Skills and Why Do They Matter?
Soft skills are often described as interpersonal or “people” skills, the skills that help you work well with others, adapt to new situations, and lead with confidence. Think:
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Communication
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Problem-solving
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Time management
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Teamwork
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Decision-making
In today’s workforce, these skills aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re must-haves.
Even in technical fields like engineering, communication is now the most sought-after skill. Employers don’t just want to hire someone who can do the job; they want someone who can collaborate, contribute, and lead effectively.
Internships Bridge the Gap
One of the most effective ways students develop soft skills is through hands-on learning experiences, such as internships. According to the NSLS report:
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95.9% of undergraduates said their internship prepared them for a career
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80% said it helped them expand their professional network
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65.2% developed decision-making skills during their internship
But most students are missing out.
Despite these benefits, only 17.2% of undergraduates reported participating in an internship. That’s a huge missed opportunity, and it may help explain why many graduates struggle to stand out in job interviews, communicate their skill set, and land their first roles. They lack the experiential learning that nurtures soft skill growth.
RELATED: LANDING IMPACTFUL INTERNSHIPS
Students Feel Prepared But Aren’t Communicating It
Interestingly, 87.2% of undergraduates said they feel prepared for the workplace. So why the disconnect?
It’s not that students aren’t learning valuable skills; it’s that they don’t always understand how to communicate or apply them, and they may not fully understand what skills employers actually seek.
For example, students reported passive skills like listening or time management as top skills for the modern workplace, while employers reported more active, leadership-ready traits like collaboration and communication.
Students see the workplace as an extension of the classroom, where listening, work ethic, and observation are key. But in a professional environment, showing initiative, solving problems, and speaking up are just as important.
How Higher Ed Can Respond
To better prepare students for the workforce, colleges and universities must do more than just teach soft skills. They need to help students demonstrate and truly develop them.
As touched on in the State of Higher Ed 2025 report, an emphasis needs to be put on experiential learning opportunities. Here are a few ways schools can start closing the soft skills gap:
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Embed soft skills into core coursework
Use collaborative projects, simulations, and real-world scenarios that require students to communicate, problem-solve, and make decisions under pressure.
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Prioritize internships and service learning
Not every student secures an internship, but experiential learning can happen on campus. Programs like service learning or peer mentoring allow students to practice leadership and build confidence.
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Coach students on how to tell their story
Résumé writing and mock interviews can help students connect the dots between what they’ve learned and what employers need. This includes articulating how a group project taught teamwork or how research taught critical thinking.
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Bring professionals into the classroom
In the study, 73.2% of students said they prefer learning from industry experts. Guest speakers, mentorship programs, and alumni panels can give students a clearer picture of what soft skills matter in the real world.
What Students Can Do Right Now to Develop Soft Skills
If you’re a college student preparing for the competitive job market, here’s how you can take charge of your soft skills development:
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Seek out group work and leadership roles in your classes or student orgs
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Volunteer for presentations to build public speaking confidence
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Reflect on past experiences — what challenges have you solved? Frame these into stories for an interview and leverage them on your résumé
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Get feedback from professors or mentors on your communication style
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Practice interviewing and learn to describe your experiences using the STAR method
Closing the Gap, Together
The good news? The soft skills gap is fixable, but it requires effort from all sides: students, schools, and employers. As we move toward a skills-based economy, the value of soft skills will only continue to rise.
So whether you’re a student wondering how to land that first job, or a faculty member designing next semester’s syllabus, now is the time to prioritize soft skills. These are the skills that will deepen connections, help teams grow, and drive the success of a business or organization.
