Foreign language programs at colleges are facing cuts due to declining enrollment and a shift in funding toward STEM, but Enrico Pontelli, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University, argues that learning languages enhances critical thinking, cognitive abilities and cultural understanding and for careers in a globalized world. Employers highly value multilingual candidates for their communication skills and cultural insight, so investing in language education can prepare students for diverse, international interactions.

LinkedIn's Skills on the Rise report lists the top 10 fast-growing skills employers are seeking, including AI literacy, conflict mitigation, adaptability and process optimization. In terms of soft skills, be ready with examples of how you used innovative thinking or public speaking, says LinkedIn's Andrew Seaman.

Sales success hinges on coachability, a key trait that distinguishes top performers because they are open to feedback and continuously seek improvement, says sales leader Colleen Francis. To assess coachability, look for candidates who have participated in competitive activities, indicating a willingness to be coached, Francis says.

Despite an increase in job applications, offer acceptance rates can be below 70%. Companies can improve these rates by being transparent about compensation, showcasing a positive company culture, and streamlining the hiring processes to not miss out on the best talent. It also helps to ask candidates why they turned down an offer.

President Donald Trump has revoked Executive Order 11246, a 1965 mandate by President Lyndon B. Johnson that required federal contractors to address employment barriers for women and people of color. Organizations like Chicago Women in Trades, which formed in the early 1980s, fear that without the mandate, federal contractors may deprioritize hiring women.

Melinta CEO Christine Miller says business leaders can "add margin" to life by creating space to think, breathe and grow. By focusing on purpose, making room for failure and setting clear boundaries, Miller has found a balance that improves personal well-being and professional effectiveness. "So get clear on what matters most to you, create the space to recharge and trust your team to step up," Miller writes.

The talk I attended last night at The University of South Carolina featured a witty conversation with R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe, who contorted in his chair, admitted he is a "Southern Gentleman" and called out his mom, who was in the audience. Stipe was brought in to talk about his Deep South ties (he grew up in Georgia and has family throughout the area) and particularly how the South has changed since the music scene in Athens, Ga., took off in the early 1980s.

Stipes said The B-52s really set the stage for R.E.M. and others to follow, spreading the notion that the South had outgrown its past and become a place that was open to creativity, non-conformity and an underground arts scene. -- Janet Connor Kahler, editor of Your Career