Recent employer surveys indicate new university graduates could use more training on 21st-century skills that are critical in today's job market. The most effective team members and leaders have well developed intrapersonal (flexibility; appreciation for diversity; grit), interpersonal (perspective taking; conflict resolution; communication), and cognitive (critical thinking; problem-solving; reasoning) skillsets. Yet, heavy course loads focusing on cognitive skills limit the availability for students to take courses designed to enhance their intrapersonal and interpersonal skills. Our approach is to provide an integrated four-year minor that 1) introduces key interprofessional skills; 2) provides a framework to reflect on personal and team skills; and 3) provide hands-on applications of 21st-century skills in the students’ field of study. The minor uses specific in-major courses that provide a “boundary of disciplinary knowledge” that necessitates students to use all three prongs of their interprofessional skillset. Many of the minor’s requirements are included in university and in-major degree requirements needing 5-7 additional credits that can often fit in free electives. This talk is the first in a four-part series that details the logistics and value of the Professional Teamwork and Leadership minor. While the talk can absolutely be attended as a stand-alone, attending all four in the series will provide audience members with a better understanding of what this type of intentionally scaffolded curriculum can accomplish.

A university-wide approach to introduce and apply teamwork and leadership skills

ACS Spring Meeting 2021

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.