On September 4, 2025, at the Department of Philology and Translation another meeting of the scientific club “Vocational Training and Foreign Language Communication” took place. This time, the meeting was dedicated to a pressing issue – “Soft skills vs. hard skills: what matters more in the job market?”

The head of the club, Associate Professor Kseniia Kugai, opened the session and emphasized that in the context of rapid changes in today’s world, employers value not only professional knowledge but also flexible personal qualities.

The participants discussed the balance between hard skills, which ensure technical competence, and soft skills, which define the effectiveness of communication, teamwork, and adaptability.

It was highlighted that professional knowledge is essential for entering the job market, yet soft skills often determine long-term career success.

Special attention was paid to how higher education institutions can integrate the development of both types of skills into the educational process.

Students shared their own examples of situations where communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills played a crucial role alongside professional expertise.

The meeting also considered international approaches to assessing the demand for soft and hard skills across different industries.

The participants concluded that a successful professional should combine both types of competencies, but the ability to adapt, collaborate, and think critically often becomes a key competitive advantage.

The meeting was held in an atmosphere of active dialogue and exchange of valuable ideas on the challenges of the modern labor market.

04.09.2025