Introduction:: The integral education of professionals today, in any field of knowledge, is becoming more remarkable due to the convulsive challenges that we must assume as humanity. The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that we have nothing certain; that stress, depression, and psychosocial aspects are as determinant for the survival of the species as well as biological and medical processes. The professional who is continuously developing, not only in their academic cognitive aspects but also in the sensitive and human, will be better prepared for the adaptive challenges that they will have to face.
Materials and Methods:: A course was designed to support the development of the student´s soft skills. The course methodology focuses on experiential learning. Various group and individual activities are done to put different topics into practice. Throughout the course, students are exposed to different professors and methodologies that provide experiences in developing competencies. The topics covered are self-knowledge, emotional intelligence, empathy, self-care, care for others, teamwork, communication, personal finances, personal brand, time-management and life project.
To evaluate the students’ progress a survey was conducted (n=17, age between 20 and 25, 11 females, 5 males) at the beginning of the semester and 11 weeks into the semester (The class is ongoing in the actual 16-week semester). The students were asked about identification and managing of emotions, results in teamwork, plans for managing their income, time management, self-care habits and connecting with others. The answers were provided in a likert-type scale. There was also an open question for the students to comment about what they have achieved.
Results, Conclusions, and Discussions:: The likert-type scale answers were transformed to a 1-5 scale. Average of each answer was calculated, and the results of both surveys were compared using the paired student’s T-test. A value of p< 0.05 was considered significant.
All averages were higher in the second survey. The p values when comparing the averages for the answers to the questions were: I know my strengths and weaknesses (p=0.0008), I identify my emotions easily (p=0.0261), I have managing mechanisms for my emotions (p=0.0183), I achieve good results working in teams (p=0.0024), I manage my time properly (p=0.1156), I have self-care habits (physical, mental, emotional and spiritual) (p=0.0056).
The results for all the questions (excepting time management) suggest that the course have a positive impact in the development of the competencies and soft skills. In the open question the students highlighted the tools that they have learned and the process into using those tools. They also shared the impact in their academic and social environments and family.
This experience is evidence that the soft skills can be developed in an academic environment. It also shows the students are willing to invest time and energy in the learning process. Finally with this kind of experience we can achieve the dream of the academia to develop holistic human beings.
