July 13, 2021

Food for Thought - Curriculum Director's Perspective

Leveraging Transferable Skills for Career Growth

Over the span of my career, I have been employed in a number of capacities and in a number of places. I have been a teacher of middle school students, a supervisor of pre-service teachers, an instructor at the University level, a tenured Associate Professor at a tier one research University, an Online Learning Consultant, an Education Manager, and a Curriculum Director. I have changed jobs at least 12 times in my career; I have worked in 5 states and 2 countries. While all of my career choices have been associated with the field of education, I recognize that it is transferable skills that have allowed me to be successful.

Transferable Skills Word Cloud

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average person will change jobs 12 times in his or her lifetime. For some age groups, that number might be even higher. The Gallup report “How Millennials Want to Work and Live” reveals that 21% of millennials say they’ve changed jobs within the past year, which is more than three times the number of non-millennials who report the same.

Whether you are a recent graduate, want a different challenge, are in search of a bigger paycheck, or are looking for advancement opportunities, chances are you’ll want to explore a new career opportunity at some point. Making a career switch may seem like you are starting over from scratch. But if you know how to leverage your transferable skills, it doesn’t have to feel that way.

When people refer to transferable skills, they are talking about abilities that are important and valuable no matter your field or industry. Unlike the technical skills required to do a specific job, transferable skills can be widely applied in many industries. They include things like:

  • Communication – the ability to express, transmit, and interpret knowledge and ideas
  • Research & Planning – the ability to successfully search for specific knowledge and conceptualize future needs and solutions
  • Human Relations – the ability to use interpersonal skills to resolve conflict, relate to, and help people
  • Management & Leadership – the ability to supervise, direct, and guide individuals and groups to complete tasks and fulfill goals
  • Work Survival – the ability to use day-to-day skills to promote productivity and work satisfaction

One of the main goals for our IFSL students is to expand their education to prepare them for diverse career pathways. We correlate what we teach with competencies future employers are looking for in any industry.

We hear time and again that what our students love most about the IFSL program is how it bridges the gap between traditional food system education and professional leadership programs. Participants build both the skills and leadership mindset to address real-world food system challenges. They learn to think more broadly and become more effective problem solvers within their organization and across disciplines.

Many employers are now prioritizing transferable skills in their search for top candidates. Companies are learning it’s a lot easier to teach people job-specific skills than it is to teach adaptability, empathy, collaboration, or leadership skills. If you know how to identify your transferable skills and share your experiences in a way that’s meaningful to potential employers in other job areas and industries, you’ll put yourself in a better position to achieve your career growth aspirations.


The University of Minnesota Integrated Food Systems Leadership (IFSL) Program is designed for professionals interested in accelerating their careers. The IFSL program is a unique, online, graduate certificate program that fosters leadership, collaboration, and innovation across the food system. IFSL is a Post-Baccalaureate Regents Certificate program aimed at bridging the gap between traditional food system education and a professional leadership program.

Applications are being accepted through July 15, 2021 for the September cohort. Schedule a consultation call for more information.