Posted 1:46 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, 2025
As college students prepare to launch their careers, employers are looking for more than just a degree — they want job-ready candidates with strong professional skills. That’s where the Eagle Advantage comes in.
At UW–La Crosse, students learn to recognize, develop and articulate the career readiness skills that today’s employers value most. From adaptability and communication, UWL students graduate with a full toolkit of skills for jobs across all industries.
“I’ve been developing different aspects of the Eagle Advantage all throughout college — through internships, jobs, classes and clubs,” says UWL student Mia McCarroll. “It taught me confidence. I know I can do hard things. It taught me about myself — and that I can adapt and grow as an adult.”
The eight Eagle Advantage skills
These essential skills are adapted from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) and give students a powerful foundation for lifelong learning:
- Adaptability
- Collaboration & Leadership
- Communication
- Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
- Digital Literacy & Technology
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Accountability
- Career & Self-Development
In addition to building job skills for a resume, Eagle Advantage skills help build a strong foundation, so students can continue to learn and grow independently long after college, explains Lindsay Steiner, UWL associate professor of English.
Mia Heibing, talent acquisition coordinator at Kwik Trip, says these skills are important and overlap with Kwik Trip’s mission and values.
“Problem-solving skills are really important to us because if a guest is unhappy for any reason, we want employees to feel confident and have the tools in their tool bank to be able to make that problem right for the guest,” says Heibing. “That doesn’t stop at the retail sector, it is also in corporate roles and production facilities. We want them to come to us super confident and able to make our guests happy.”
Whether you're wondering what skills college teaches you, what work skills translate to the real world, or what aspect of college life will benefit you in adulthood—the Eagle Advantage prepares you with in-demand, transferable skills that will boost your career journey.
Learn More:
Learn more about Eagle Advantage skills.