Level-Up Opportunities

Events:

Networking & LinkedIn, Powered by Partners (DriveTime)

Wednesday, October 11, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm

Virtual

All About Career Interviews

Wednesday, October 11, 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm

Virtual

Building your Brand/Digital Presence

Thursday, October 26, 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Student Services Building, 1151 S Forest Ave Tempe, AZ

Check out other upcoming events!

ASU Events Career Events

October Career Competency Focus - Critical Thinking

The career competency focus for the month of October is critical thinking! The National Association of Colleges and Employers labels critical thinking as recognizing and responding to a need based on understanding context and relevant information. You probably use critical thinking everyday without even realizing it! This is why it is a crucial skill that employers look for.

Helpful Articles

6 Important Critical Thinking Skills You Should Master

By Maggie Wooll

Critical Thinking/Problem Solving- NACE Competency

By Jessica Caolo

Why Critical Thinking is the Key to a Successful Career

By Jesse Quainoo

Recommended Trainings

Improve Your Problem Solving Skills

By Madecraft and Eric Zackrison

Benefits of a Critical Thinking Mindset

By Becki Saltzman

Upgrading Critical Thinking

By Becki Saltzman

Increase Your Critical Thinking Skills

By Andrea Bonior

Level-Up Experiences

The following are recommended ways for you to practice and level-up your Critical Thinking abilities this month within your current job. Feel free to use these suggestions or come up with your own. Once you have finished an experience, be sure to add it to your accomplishment tracker.

Analyze Research:

Prepare: Find an opportunity to research a topic! Whether this be at work, through class or on your own.
Take Action: Use your critical thinking skills to evaluate the research from different sources and sides. Think about which perspective best fits how you think.
Reflect: Based on the research, what did you learn and how might this affect your day-to-day life? Does your conclusion make sense? Did you use reliable sources? Did your biases get in the way of a logical conclusion?

Practice Active Listening:

Prepare: Prepare yourself to actively listen. Put any distractions aside and get ready to give who you are listening to your full attention.
Take Action: Focus on who is speaking to you. Do not interrupt them and show them you are actively listening by facing towards them and maintaining eye contact. Do not jump to any conclusions about what they are saying. Pay attention to their words but also their non-verbal cues to really understand their message.
Reflect: Evaluate what they have said and think before you respond. Evaluate how you could have done a better job of being an active listener and what you can do moving forward.

Take Charge of a Project:

Prepare: Remember that it is essential to use your skills and remain unbiased and logical when completing tasks at work.
Take Action: Try asking your supervisor for the opportunity to take the lead on a project or task. Work through issues as best you can and be willing to ask for help when needed.
Reflect: What was the impact of your work? Ask yourself if the way you completed the task made sense given the context and information provide, and how you might improve the process in the future.

Want to share?

Are you aware of resources, events, or training that would be good to share with other Working Learners? Please email us your ideas for inclusion in upcoming monthly level-up communications. Send suggestions to workplus@asu.edu