Creativity and Innovation

Creativity and innovation lead to tangible outcomes such as content, products and processes. Conceiving of and developing ideas that solve problems in unique ways or that improve existing conditions by making them safer, faster or more efficient.

Suggested activities

  • Making a suggestion at your job to serve customers better.
  • Pitching a business or product idea at New Venture Challenge.
  • Getting involved in a performing arts show.

Rate where you are on this skill

Basic Intermediate Advanced Expert
Basic

You understand that creative and innovative thinking yields new and improved ideas and tangible outcomes in the form of content, products or processes.

What this skill looks like in action:

  • Study this skill in a class or training.

At this level, it is appropriate to include this skill on your resume.

You actively engage in a variety of types of creativity and innovation in academic classes, campus activities or at a part-time job, internship or volunteer role. You use creativity and innovation to conceive of and develop new ideas, ways of thinking, products or processes or to improve upon those that already exist.

What this skill looks like in action:

  • Evaluate current circumstances and visualize alternatives.
  • Generate ideas to address a need.
  • Explore options with an open mind.
  • Make recommendations to address needs.

You have dedicated many hours to engaging with creativity and innovation in multiple environments including a work setting. People seek you out because of your ability to think inventively and practice ingenuity to make something more unique, better or more efficient. Your ideas address current needs as well as those that have not yet been anticipated. Your thinking results in tangible and useful outcomes.

What this skill looks like in action:

  • Challenge the status quo.
  • Take initiative and suggest different ways of thinking about ideas or projects.
  • Demonstrate curiosity and a passion for lifelong learning.
  • Develop new skills and show generosity in using your skills to address team needs.
  • Imagine various possibilities and the seemingly impossible.
  • Build something new; enjoy tinkering.

You have committed hundreds of hours to creative and innovative work, exploring relevant research and collaborating with other creative and innovative experts. People look to you to teach them about the intricacies and subtleties of creativity and innovation.

What this skill looks like in action:

  • Continue to learn about this skill through graduate studies or apply it in more advanced and complex work situations.
  • Perhaps have started a company, organization or non-profit.
  • People recognize you for being different from the pack.
  • People look to you for creative ways of approaching life and/or work.