Durable Skills vs. Checkbox Students

It happened for the first time in our Career Internship Program—and it stopped me in my tracks.

During a conversation with students, a potential internship host said something I’ve been waiting for years to hear spoken out loud:

“I don’t want someone checking the box for a college application. I want someone genuinely curious about this business.”

That moment summed up exactly where we are in education and workforce development today.

Employers Know the Difference

Here’s the reality: the next generation of HR professionals and business leaders can spot a “checkbox” student almost instantly. They know the difference between someone who’s padding their résumé with clubs, test scores, and generic activities—and someone who truly wants to learn, explore, and grow.

And you know what? They’re choosing the curious ones. The learners. The ones who show up not because they have to, but because they want to.

Why Durable Skills Matter More Than Ever

This is why programs that focus on durable skills are more important than ever. Technical skills matter, yes—but technical skills are teachable. Durable skills are what separate students who thrive in the workplace from those who fade into the background.

Employers are looking for:

Curiosity – genuine interest in how things work, not just showing up for the credit.

Communication – the ability to articulate ideas clearly and listen deeply.

Adaptability – stepping into new environments with a growth mindset.

Collaboration – working with others to solve real problems.

Resilience – navigating challenges without giving up.

Grades and test scores may get a student noticed, but durable skills get them hired—and keep them moving forward.

Moving Beyond “Playing the School Game”

For too long, we’ve asked students to play the “school game”: rack up the GPA, stack on the extracurriculars, ace the standardized tests, and collect leadership titles like trading cards.

But organizations are waking up to the truth: those boxes don’t tell the real story.

A student can have straight A’s, a high SAT score, and a résumé full of clubs—yet lack the curiosity, drive, and ability to connect that employers crave.

The message is clear: checkboxes don’t cut it anymore.

Building Real Talent Pipelines

That’s why our work in Naperville 203 focuses on creating pathways where students can practice durable skills in real contexts. Internships aren’t about filling a line on a college application—they’re about giving students space to ask questions, take risks, and discover what excites them.

And the best part? Employers see it. They value it. They want it.

The conversation with that host reminded me of something powerful: durable skills are the currency of the future workforce.

Final Thought

If we want to prepare students for what’s next, we can’t keep feeding them checklists. We need to cultivate curiosity, creativity, and character.

Because when it comes to building careers—and building lives—durable skills win every time.