The College Placement Council reports the following skills employers seek in job candidates, nine of the eleven are developed in Communication Studies courses:

• communication skills - oral and written
• interpersonal skills
• demonstrated teamwork abilities
• demonstrated leadership abilities
• flexibility
• analytical skills
• co-op/internship experience
• computer knowledge
• problem-solving abilities
• decision-making abilities
• proficiency in field of study/ technical competence

In a recent survey reported also by the College Placement Council thefollowing characteristics were mentioned as most important for graduates preparing for careers in entrepreneurial organizations:

• interpersonal skills
• oral communication
• abilityto assume responsibility
• willingness to work hard
• initiative/drive/resourcefulness
• motivation
• abilityto handle stress
• self-discipline
• desire to succeed
• team player
• confidence/self-reliance
• flexibility
  --Adapted from an article by Gordon Gray, CEI Newsletter, Spring 1995.