Liberal Arts “Skills”: What Are They?

In our culture, we believe that personal development is a matter of acquiring skills.  The more skills you acquire, the more capable you are.  We identify just about everything as a “skill”—basic motor skills, interpersonal skills, supervisory skills, negotiating skills, presentation skills, parenting skills, carpentry skills, sewing skills, culinary skills, social media skills. (Frankly, I…

Planning Ahead?

I talked this week with Diana Patten, Director of Career Services and Internships at Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  Their term just ended, and commencement was last weekend. “We call this our ‘breathing week,’” she said, with relief.  Aaaah, yes.  Breathe in, breathe out. Then what?  Start planning for fall! How will you inspire…