Abstract
Excerpt: We might usefully begin by offering alternatives to the terms themselves: for instance, “specific, defined, quantifiable skills” such as the ability to convert raw data to statistics and information, whereas soft skills are “supple, interpersonal skills” such as communicative responsiveness, work versatility, and environmental and situational adaptability. The soft skills are key for thriving in the midst of volatile employment prospects, versus only acquiring a technical skill that might become obsolete at any time.