Timeless Skills I Learned At Grad School [Besides Coursework]

The start of a new academic year and seeing so many of my peers going back to school has made me reminisce and reflect on my own academic journey.

Pursuing my Master's degree at the University of Cincinnati was definitely one of the most enriching experiences of my life. Not only in terms of the knowledge that I obtained but also because of my colleagues and professors that I met and interacted with, the skills that I developed, and the perspectives I was able to gain.

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The top 5 things that I learned, and that I am positive will stay with me forever, in both my professional and personal life are-

1. How to work cohesively with people from diverse backgrounds

My colleagues in the program were from an assortment of backgrounds in terms of their career paths, industries, years of experience, and nationalities - each bringing a unique & valuable perspective. I learned the skill of being able to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard and understood and then channeled into a productive outcome. Being empathetic and keeping an open mind during discussions is vital to allow the best ideas to arise.

2. How to recognize and bring what is needed to the table

I strive to be an asset on any team I’m a part of- while collaborating with highly skilled and experienced individuals this often meant recognizing the gap in terms of the present skills or resources, taking the initiative to equip myself with what was needed, and then adding value with the work that I did.

3. Being versatile and adapting to situations

Getting used to the methodology and culture at an American university, that too at a Grad school level, took some getting used to. I had to learn a new way of taking notes, studying, and even interacting with my professors- it was all so different from my Undergraduate experience. With the latter half of my 2nd semester suddenly becoming remote, and everything becoming virtual, I learned to adapt, adopt the changes, and make the best of situations that were now looking far different than what was anticipated. (By this point, I think I've used and become comfortable with every possible video conferencing platform- something I'd never expected to have to know but definitely an asset right now)

4. Client relationship management

A soft skill that I previously did not ever have the chance to develop- I learned how to best interact with clients, tailor my communication style to suit them, and address and resolve any potential issues. It was great having mentors who could give advice on how to face, prevent, and resolve any potential conflicts and I know this will definitely be helpful as I embark on my professional journey.

5. Time management

Managing my professional and personal life while pursuing a full-time Master's program, a part-time job, and the responsibilities of living alone for the first time in my life was a balancing act. After a lot of trial and error (and thanks to Design Thinking), I realized sticky notes and digital planners are the key to my sanity and staying on track. Over the course of time, I realized the most efficient ways to prioritize and allocate time to tasks.