Social Skills: The Secret Sauce for Teens’ College Admissions & Life Success? 

These days, the allure of a lucrative career in tech whispers (or roars) to legions of college-bound teens. Responding, many look frantically to beef up their tech credentials by creating a slick app as a high school capstone project. And both the tech-bound students and friends with other big career dreams, are loading up on honors and APs (but also stressing out about maximizing GPA). Others are chasing that elusive SAT score while also juggling two varsity sports, editing the yearbook, and being VP of the Taylor Swift appreciation society.

But there’s something else that these teens (and possibly their parents) might be overlooking. There’s a hidden gem on a teen’s path to success: soft skills.

Soft skills are the personal attributes, interpersonal abilities, and emotional intelligence that enable people to navigate social environments, communicate effectively, and work well with others. Unlike hard skills (like math, coding, or essay-writing), soft skills are about how you do things, not just what you know (Investopedia).

So, what does this mean for teens? Turns out, soft skills are often the secret sauce for acing college admissions, excelling in a career, and achieving long-term happiness. But, while you might think that traditional extracurriculars are enough to develop these crucial skills, it turns out that’s not the case.

You’ll hear more about younger generations’ struggles with soft skills below. But first, let’s break down why they matter so much.

Soft Skills in College Admissions: Standing Out in a Competitive Field

When it comes to getting into college, top universities look beyond grades and test scores—they want students who show emotional maturity, leadership potential, and the ability to build connections with others. Think about it: if two students have similar GPAs and SAT scores, and even similar extracurricular club titles, but just one has demonstrated the ability to lead, influence, and connect with others, which one would stand out? And relatedly, if you had to put your money on the student who will eventually bring the school greater prestige (and bigger donations), which one would it be?

In the competitive world of Ivy League and top-tier college admissions, these interpersonal abilities are critical in several ways:

Letters of Recommendation: Relationships with teachers play a huge role. If your teen has built rapport with teachers and mentors, they’re more likely to receive thoughtful and enthusiastic recommendations that pop and make an applicant stand out as a special. These letters can reveal a student’s character, dependability, and leadership qualities—traits that schools value just as much as academic scores.

Interviews: Many selective colleges, and most Ivy Leagues like U Penn, offer interviews and consider them as part of the selection process. These aren’t just about academic achievements but about assessing who your teen is as a person. Colleges are looking for candidates who can communicate well, adapt easily, and think on their feet. Displaying confidence, empathy, and active listening skills during interviews can set applicants apart.

Leadership and Influence: Admissions officers value students who can inspire others and show initiative. According to a survey by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, leadership and involvement in extracurricular activities rank highly on the list of what colleges seek (NACAC). A teen who can demonstrate the ability to organize, lead, and impact their community can earn points over students who simply fill seats.

Soft Skills for Career Success: Navigating the Modern Workplace

The workplace landscape has shifted dramatically, and Gen Z is feeling the strain. Born approximately between 1997 and 2012, Gen Z began to enter the workforce around 2019. A LinkedIn study found that 89% of recruiters say when a new hire doesn’t work out, it’s often due to a lack of soft skills rather than technical know-how (LinkedIn). One VP at LinkedIn highlighted this: “The skills that will get you in the door are technical, but the skills that will keep you and help you grow are your soft skills” (LinkedIn). This is especially true with AI gradually taking over more technical work, leaving work that depends more on personal attributes to humans.

In recent years, employers have noticed that new graduates often struggle with these essential abilities:

Communication and Collaboration: In today’s team-centered work environments, communicating effectively and working well with others is non-negotiable. Miscommunication or an inability to work in groups can slow down progress, impact productivity, and damage relationships at work. A Harris poll found that 65% of Gen Z employees struggle to engage in casual conversations with colleagues, which leads to miscommunications and collaboration problems. This gap is attributed to a digital-first upbringing, which is thought to limit social skill development(British Council).

Adaptability and Emotional Intelligence: Companies need people who can adapt, learn on the job, and navigate workplace conflicts and stress. But it turns out that Gen Z lacks emotional regulation skills, with 58% reporting high levels of workplace burnout. Relatedly, a 2024 survey found that 60% of recent Gen Z hires were fired within months, with common complaints being low motivation (50%), poor communication(39%), and unprofessional behavior(46%)(Brand). A lack of social interaction for this group limits opportunities to develop empathy and resilience, which are key to dealing with complex work relationships(British Council). Teens who hone these skills early will find themselves better prepared to deal with the demands of any industry.

The bottom line? Employers are paying attention to candidates’ emotional intelligence as much as their technical skills, especially in competitive fields. A lack of soft skills can hold Gen Z back, while possessing them can propel a teen forward in almost any field.

Soft Skills for Happiness: The Key to a Fulfilling Life?

At the end of the day, life success isn’t just about getting into a great college or landing a high-paying job—it’s also about leading a happy, fulfilling life. And soft skills play a significant role here, too.

A major study by Harvard spanning over 80 years (known as the Harvard Study of Adult Development) found that relationships, not wealth or fame, are the most significant predictors of lifelong happiness. People with strong social skills and the ability to build lasting relationships consistently report higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction(Waldinger).

Authors Arthur Brooks and Oprah Winfrey echo this in their book, Build the Life You Want, highlighting how a life well-lived centers around meaningful relationships. They argue that the ability to understand, empathize, and connect with others deeply contributes to well-being. In short, teens who develop soft skills such as empathy, kindness, and communication will be equipped for not just academic or professional success but a genuinely fulfilling life(Brooks).

In Summary

Soft skills—those subtle abilities to communicate, empathize, lead, and adapt—are often the unsung heroes in your teen’s path to success. While grades and test scores may help open doors, it’s the soft skills that keep them open. Whether it’s impressing college admissions officers, thriving in a workplace, or leading a happy life, these skills lay the foundation for long-term success.

Encourage your teen to develop their soft skills today—practice makes perfect, and there’s no better investment for the future. If you’re interested in how teens can do this, learn more about the Designing High School program, by Master Plan Academy.

Sources

Brand, Amelia. “Companies Are Rapidly Firing Gen Z Employees.” HRreview, 26 Sept. 2024.

British Council Corporate. “Gen Z in the Workplace: Bridging the Soft Skills Gap to Drive Success.”

Investopedia. “Soft Skills.” Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/terms/s/soft-skills.asp.

National Association for College Admission Counseling. “What College Admission Officers Value.” NACAC Annual Report, www.nacacnet.org.

LinkedIn. “The Skills Companies Need Most in 2023.” LinkedIn Learning, www.linkedin.com.

Waldinger, Robert, and Marc Schulz. The Good Life: Lessons from the World’s Longest Scientific Study of Happiness. Simon & Schuster, 2023.

Brooks, Arthur C., and Oprah Winfrey. Build the Life You Want: The Art and Science of Getting Happier. Penguin Life, 2023.