Higher education and the new role of the teacher: the relevance of soft skills to enhance the professional identity

Abstract

Introduction: The labor market is defined today by permanent changes that are transforming the curricula in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). HEI professors are becoming teacher-mentors who focus on improving students' perception of professional identity. Four European universities created the “Teach-BEASTs – Teaching to BE Aware STudents (Teach-BEASTs)”, an Erasmus+ program focused on this redefinition of the role of the teacher. The objectives are to demonstrate the practical value of transferred knowledge and skills in STEM subjects. Methodology: is based on a solid literature review of the article's theoretical framework and key concepts. On the other hand, it focuses on the analysis of the role of academic teachers, professors, officials in charge of academic career directions and the educational process, as well as deans and directors. Results and discussion: focus on Career Awareness Pills, which are modules that encourage students to reflect on the material covered from the perspective of their interests, passions, aptitudes, and the market value of the skills and information obtained that will be examined and constitute the core of the methodology. Conclusions: the first conclusions corroborate the objectives, specifically highlighting the value of activities to develop social skills or interpersonal skills.