| Service learning programs are on the increase. In the past, service learning programs were created to improve a student's perceptions, attitudes, and behavior toward social responsibility. Today, service learning projects are being recognized as a technique to develop work-related skills in college students (Stukas & Dunlop, 2002). The early development of work-related skills benefits students, colleges, and businesses alike. Prior research about service learning has not examined the specific types and quantity of work-related skills that students might develop. This study furthers the study of service learning by an examination of the possible work-related skills that an undergraduate college business student might develop in a service learning project. A content analysis of 68 student reflective papers revealed 20 work-related skills. The most frequently mentioned skills were social responsibility, interpersonal skills, patience, ethics and values, and operational knowledge. Student work-skill totals were compared to the site supervisor's report, and then checked for differences based on gender and GPA. Results indicate that total work-skill count is correlated to site supervisor's evaluations of student interest in the project, dependability, decision making ability, and effectiveness. No correlation was found between total work-skill count and communication skill or improvement in student values as evaluated by the site supervisor. Further, no differences in total work-skill count were detected based on gender or GPA Implications and directions for future research are discussed. |
