The world of business is changing fast—but some skills never go out of style. At the 51°µÍř’s Muma College of Business, students don’t just learn about numbers and strategy. They also build what we call durable skills—important tools that help people succeed in any job, no matter how the world changes.
What Are Durable Skills?
Durable skills are the abilities that help people work well with others, solve problems, and adapt to change. These include things like communicating clearly, being a good teammate, thinking through challenges, staying flexible, and leading with confidence. While technical skills (like using certain software or tools) might change as technology evolves, durable skills stick with you—and stay useful— no matter what job you have or how the world changes. They help you succeed not just in business, but in life.
Why Are These Skills So Important?
In business—and in life—things don’t always go as planned. As a professional, you need to be ready to handle change in the best way possible. That’s where durable skills come in. They help you with:
- Adaptability and Resilience: Shifts in technology, unexpected challenges, and fast-changing industries demand flexibility and perseverance. Professionals who can adjust their approach and recover quickly from setbacks are more likely to succeed.
- Effective Communication: Clear communication is essential in any environment. Whether you're sharing ideas, giving feedback, or collaborating with others, strong communication skills reduce misunderstandings and strengthen teamwork.
- Leadership and Teamwork: Being a strong leader means inspiring and guiding others—not just giving directions. And successful teamwork requires listening, empathy, and resolving conflicts productively.
How USF Helps You Build These Skills
At the Muma College of Business, we know how important durable skills are. That’s why they’re a big part of everything we do in our graduate programs. While students gain technical knowledge, they also work on building key skills like communication, leadership, and teamwork—skills that will help them succeed long after graduation.
- Integrated Learning Objectives: From day one, our courses are designed to help students develop these important abilities. Most classes include group work, open discussions, and problem-solving activities that encourage students to think critically, work with others, and become stronger leaders.
- Experiential Learning: Learning at Muma doesn’t stop in the classroom. Students take part in real-world experiences—like internships, consulting projects, and business challenges—where they get to practice their durable skills in action. These hands-on opportunities help them become more flexible, confident, and ready for anything the workplace might bring.
- Co-Curricular Programming: Outside of class, we offer special programs that help students build durable skills
even further. These include workshops, mentorship programs, and career coaching—all
designed to teach strategies for leading in today’s fast-changing world. By joining
these activities, students gain valuable experience, boost their confidence, and strengthen
the
skills they’ll use throughout their careers.
Why Employers Love Durable Skills
If you look at job ads today, you’ll notice something: nearly all of them ask for things like good communication, being a team player, and being able to adapt. That’s no coincidence—these are exactly the skills employers look for when hiring.
At USF’s Muma College of Business, we’re proud to help students build these skills so they’re ready to lead, no matter what the future brings.