Soft skills are very important in today’s world of work, with recruiters looking for candidates capable of combining technical savoir-faire with interpersonal skills (soft skills). At Excelia, we understand the importance of these qualities and have incorporated them into all our programmes, from undergraduate to postgraduate, in order to prepare our students to succeed in the job market.
Soft skills: an indispensable asset for standing out from the crowd
Unlike hard skills, which include skills that are technical and measurable (often certified by qualifications), soft skills deal with interpersonal skills: communication, adaptability, emotional intelligence, stress management, etc. Such skills are essential for adapting to a constantly changing environment, working effectively in a team, and responding creatively to business challenges. They have a key role to play in a candidate’s ability to integrate and evolve within an organisation.
A stimulating learning environment at Excelia
At Excelia, we have developed an innovative pedagogical approach that places soft skills at the heart of the educational programme. Our teaching methods focus on…
- Collaborative projects and business simulations: students learn to communicate, manage their time, and solve problems by working in teams on practical cases that reflect real-life situations
- Practical workshops: encouraging critical thinking and creativity, these workshops enable students to put their interpersonal skills into practice whilst experimenting with different styles of communication and conflict management techniques
- An international outlook: multicultural exchanges and internships abroad expose students to a variety of environments, enabling them to develop their adaptability and acquire genuine cultural versatility
- Excelia’s Humacité© initiative: providing students with the opportunity of undertaking a social, humanitarian and civic project in France or abroad for a period of two months; the aim of this experience is to raise students’ awareness of the importance of humility and respect for different cultures; through collaborative projects in a multicultural environment, Humacité© develops essential skills such as empathy and cross-cultural awareness; through this initiative, our students not only strengthen their emotional intelligence, but also become responsible and caring citizens, capable of operating in an increasingly diverse business world
- Support for personal development: programmes include specific modules to boost self-awareness, self-confidence, and leadership skills; students learn how to set objectives, work as part of a team and maximise their potential
Soft skills developed as part of our study programmes
Throughout the duration of each programme, Excelia focusses on essential soft skills:
- Undergraduate/Bachelor Level: students establish the foundations of their interpersonal skills with competencies in intercultural communication, problem solving, and social responsibility; they learn to work effectively in teams, to adapt to multicultural contexts, and to take into account ethical considerations in management decisions
- Post-graduate/Master Level: the emphasis is on strengthening autonomy, decision-making, and responsible leadership skills; students hone their ability to motivate teams, negotiate, and handle complex situations with diplomacy; they are also encouraged to develop their emotional intelligence, i.e. how to listen to others and how to manage emotions, which is fundamental in creating a positive working environment
Why soft skills are so crucial
In a rapidly changing business world, soft skills are important for adapting to new situations and continuing to evolve. For example, a highly adaptable employee will be able to capitalise on organisational transitions and guide colleagues through periods of transformation. Similarly, a good communicator will be able to prevent misunderstandings and optimise collaboration.
Excelia: education for the future
Our Bachelor and Master programmes create graduates who are not only technically competent but also equipped with solid soft skills that prepare them to take on the challenges of the business world. Thanks to our pedagogical approach, which incorporates immersive experiences, students develop skills that are a real differentiator in the job market, notably in the areas of leadership, intercultural communication, and social responsibility.
