Soft Skills Gained from the Chatteris International Graduate Programme
February 26, 2026
In a world where soft skills are increasingly considered more important than hard skills by hiring managers for long-term career success, Chatteris Tutor Beverley Gauld muses on the soft skills she has gained on the Chatteris International Graduate Programme…
I first discovered the opportunity to work with Chatteris online, and the decision to click ‘apply’ was a step into the unknown – one I am grateful I took. Moving to a new country and starting a new job fresh out of university has helped me develop many soft skills, which have transformed me into a braver, more adventurous person. The skills I have gained are innumerable, but I will discuss those I feel are the most significant.
Adaptability over Perfectionism
I have not only learned to be adaptable, but have become comfortable with the very idea of it. Throughout university I struggled with perfectionism, to the point where I would avoid even beginning essays until I felt I was an expert on the topic. Moving to a different continent and leading my first classes challenged this mindset and pushed me to learn continuously. Every class and student is different, and it takes some time to get to know them and understand how best to teach them. Even once you know students well, they can still surprise you! Adapting does not stop once you know your classes, especially as Chatteris prioritises continuous development through monthly observations and professional development sessions where you can learn new concepts and methods to implement in your lessons. Being adaptable rather than seeking a fixed idea of perfectionism has allowed me to feel more accepting of myself and my progress, making a real impact in my career.
Confidence and Public Speaking
As I adapted to life in the classroom, I have found that a huge part of my role is encouraging students to feel confident speaking in front of others. As someone who was always a shy and introverted student, my younger self would be astonished to see me projecting my voice in front of a large audience and inspiring students to do the same. The feeling of self-confidence this has given me has transformed my life outside of the classroom, as I am no longer hesitant about striking up conversations with new people. I have also developed confidence in my own ideas, as I have a lot of creative control over my lesson planning, which has required me to show initiative and trust my own judgement. Though daunting at first, I have become comfortable with being in the driver’s seat.
Creativity
Planning engaging lessons for students with varying levels of motivation and proficiency pushes my creativity. Though it can be challenging, this has become one of my favourite aspects of the role, as I have had to connect to a more whimsical and imaginative part of myself. I often ask myself questions like ‘How do I want students to feel in this lesson? How can I make this topic inspiring and imaginative?’ Aside from this, the creativity required to clearly convey a message to an incredibly diverse class of learners is not to be underestimated.
My time in Hong Kong and on the CIGP has been nothing short of transformative both personally and professionally, and I am certain that the soft skills I have developed will be valuable no matter what career path I take in the future.
Looking to develop soft skills in an international setting? Click here to take the first step on your journey and apply for the Chatteris International Graduate Programme.