Students enter into college with lots of different
hopes and dreams but not all of them finish their programs. Those who make it
through despite multiple difficulties have something called grit. That grit
that helps someone get through college despite multiple challenges is the same
grit that employers should seek out for management positions.
Whether one is enrolling in an undergraduate
programs or was just accepted into a doctoral program grit has a factor in
their projected success. Doctoral grit has been associated with GPA, hours
students spent working on programs, and student overall success (Cross, 2014). Such
students are fully engaged.
The ability to work on long-term projects despite
the difficulties of life, challenges people face, and varying stresses is a
remarkable trait. It is hard to judge someone’s grit simply by looking at them
or completing a quick assessment. Grit is something tied to the very core of
personality of the person and their self-belief in achieving their goals.
Based on psychological assessment grit is associated
with self-regulation, focus, and goal setting (Mangan, 2012). Those who show
grit have the ability to monitor themselves for improvement, focus on what is
important to them, and set appropriate goals.
Employers sometimes gravitate to hiring from elite
higher education institutions where the majority of students have educated
parents, adequate finances, strong university support, and the best
instructors. On the other end of the scale the world is very different in terms
of opportunities and employers should be aware of higher performance when
merited.
Those who achieve despite difficult odds have
something in their personality beyond just hard work. Grit is not based on a
person’s socio-economic background or the type of car they drive. Grit is
something that separates the wheat from the shaft through trial by fire.
Employers seeking employees who can gain focus, set-goals and achieve them
should be given merit for overcoming difficult challenges and excelling.
Cross, T. (2014). The gritty: grit and
non-traditional doctoral student success. Journal
of Educators Online, 11 (3).
Mangan, K. (2012). Traits of the “get it done”
personality: laser focus, resilience, and true grit. Chronicle of Higher Education, 58 (43).
