Are you a student? Kick-start your ‘competency list’ today

Career. Experience. Competencies.

If you’re a student, those three words may feel a little distant. You’re busy diving into your studies and student life – but perhaps thoughts about the future and job opportunities are already starting to surface in the back of your mind.

Let’s start by making one thing clear: You don’t need to panic about your career while studying. You have plenty of time – so take it easy.

That said, it can be a huge help to your future self if you begin building a 'competency list' early in your studies.

What have you learned?

You can use your competency list when applying for jobs after graduation – and even if you’re applying for a student job along the way.

Many only start reflecting on their skills (what they can do), personal qualities (personality), and interests (motivation) once they’ve graduated. But by then, it can be difficult to remember what you’ve actually learned. Many spend a lot of time compiling their competency list after finishing their studies, when they need it most. So why not start now?

Our advice: Start your competency list today, and add to it continuously as you study.

You can begin by writing down which courses you’ve taken. After each course, take a moment to reflect on what you’ve gained from it.

• What knowledge do you have now? Which subjects do you understand better?
• What skills have you acquired – for example, in the lab or coding?
• What competencies have you developed – such as project work, analytical skills, or bridging theory and practice?

The course description can often be a great help. And remember, don’t hesitate to add a course to your list even if you didn’t get top marks.

Don’t forget your student job or volunteer work

The same goes for student jobs or volunteer activities – whether they are directly related to your studies or not. You learn a lot from working in customer service or a kindergarten, and voluntary work – like student politics or association activities – also builds valuable competencies.

Write down what you learned, which tasks you handled, and which personal qualities you used to solve them. You can also evaluate the tasks: what you found fun and energizing, what was difficult, and how you overcame challenges.

A strong tool for CVs, applications, and interviews

This process helps you build self-awareness – and that’s important, since job interviews often focus on it. It’s far easier to answer naturally when you already know yourself well, rather than having to improvise on the spot.

Your competency list also makes a great foundation for writing your CV. It can make the whole process of preparing your CV and applications much easier, because you can draw directly from your list and tailor your material to each position.