Students jeopardising future by ignoring 'human skills'

Students are so obsessed with building technical expertise that they are undervaluing human skills like teamwork, initiative, coachability, emotional intelligence, exposing a worrying disconnect between what employers want and what students are studying.

That is according to report by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), an international non-profit organisation representing over 200 business schools worldwide.

The 2025 Prospective Students Survey, which includes responses from nearly 5,000 candidates worldwide, shows more candidates are falling over themselves to develop AI tools.

In contrast, employers place more value on human skills, and they are more likely than candidates to consider initiative (45% vs. 30%), grit (34% vs. 26%), and coachability (39% vs. 22%) as important.

This suggests employers are seeking graduates who not only have technical and analytical abilities but also excel in adaptability, teamwork, and personal growth.

GMAC regional director for the Americas and Europe Nalisha Patel said: “Candidates continue to underestimate the importance of people skills. Business schools need to help students understand that these are not ‘nice to have’, they’re dealbreakers. There’s a gap between what students think will get them hired and what does…Schools can help close that gap.”

The survey shows rising demand for AI in the business school curriculum, with 46% of candidates saying AI is a must-have, yet students prefer hands-on AI learning through simulations and case studies, not personalised learning paths.

Patel concluded: “The findings are a clear message to business schools: integrate AI, but don’t sideline human development. Meeting both employer and student expectations is key to remaining relevant and delivering real value.”