Written By: Mariann Johnson, VP of Strategic Partnerships
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The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had: Transferable Skills
Think of transferable skills as your career’s Swiss Army knife—the tools you carry from one job to the next, no matter the title, industry, or workplace. Whether it’s communicating clearly, solving problems on the fly, or being calm in the chaos, these skills stick with you and keep proving their worth.
Why Teachers Love Them
Educators know that learning doesn’t stop at the classroom door. Transferable skills—like teamwork, adaptability, and critical thinking—are what turn students into lifelong learners. When a teacher coaches a group project, it’s not just about finishing the assignment. It’s about showing students how to listen, compromise, and bring out the best in each other. These are the same skills that will help them thrive in any job, from their first internship to their dream career.
Why Employers Can’t Get Enough
Here’s a secret: most employers know they can train you to use new software, but they can’t train you to get along with people or roll with the punches. Transferable skills are what make someone promotable, adaptable, and an all-around rock star at work. They show that you’re ready to grow with the company, handle change like a pro, and add value beyond your job description.
A Real-Life Story
One of the biggest complaints we hear from employers is that they can’t find people who consistently show up. What students often don’t realize is that the fast-food or retail job (remember my love of retail jobs!) can be the exact proof an employer needs to see reliability and commitment.
Take my son, Max, for example. He wants to be a teacher. Based on wise advice from our founder, Dale, he applied for jobs in after-school programs to gain hands-on experience. When I was helping him with his résumé, he didn’t think his four years at Raising Cane’s counted for much. We talked about how that role demonstrated reliability, leadership (he trained new staff), and communication—skills that translate directly into working with children.
He also had volunteer experience through Vacation Bible School with his grandmother, which added even more credibility. Once we reframed his résumé around those transferable skills, the results spoke for themselves: he got an interview right away. I coached him on how to explain how fast food taught him conflict resolution, patience, and problem-solving. And guess what? He was hired on the spot—and absolutely LOVES his new job.
He still works weekends at Raising Cane’s, chasing the five-year anniversary “fish on the wall” (a sign of dedication and commitment he’ll one day be able to showcase when applying to a school district). It’s living proof that no job is “just a job” when the skills you’re building go everywhere.
The Big Takeaway
Transferable skills are the hidden superpowers that make careers—and classrooms—come alive. They’re what connect teaching to teamwork, customer service to leadership, and learning to opportunity. Whether you’re hiring, teaching, or just starting out, never underestimate the power of the skills that transfer everywhere.
What about you? What are the skills you learned early on that have helped you most in your career?