From Classroom to career: How teamwork can help you succeed

As students in The Netherlands, you are likely familiar with the importance of teamwork in the classroom. From group projects to study sessions with classmates, working together is a fundamental part of your education. 

But did you know that the skills you learn through teamwork in university will greatly help you succeed in your future career? 

In today’s fast-paced, competitive job market, employers are looking for individuals who possess a variety of soft skills, including the ability to work well in a team. In fact, according to a study by LinkedIn, teamwork is the number one skill that employers are looking for in new hires.

The benefits of teamwork in the classroom

Working in a team can be challenging, but it also provides a number of benefits. At Haarlem Campus we place a great emphasis on personal development and teamwork is a big part of it. In order for someone to grow as a person they need to be pushed just a bit out of their comfort zone. Only that can grant a big leap in personal growth. At Haarlem Campus, we create an environment where you can feel safe to take that leap. 

For example: 

• You learn to communicate effectively with others. When working in a team, you need to be able to express your ideas clearly and listen to others. These are important skills that will be valuable in any career. 
• You learn to problem-solve. When working on a group project, you will likely encounter roadblocks and challenges. By working together, you and your teammates will learn how to overcome these obstacles and find solutions. 
• You learn to be adaptable. Teams are made up of individuals with different strengths, weaknesses, and perspectives. By working with others, you learn to be flexible and adapt to different situations.

At Haarlem Campus, we know working in a team can be challenging, which is why we’ve added the module Teamwork & Project Management at the beginning of the curriculum for our programs Creative Media, Business Psychology, and Digital Transformation Management. We want to teach you how to effectively work in a team upfront so that your projects later can be a success. This is not always a straightforward process and it can take some time to develop such skills. That is why you need to be willing to put in the effort from your side as well. 

As a business Psychology student, Bryanna noted a key takeaway from the module is how important good communication is when working in a team. She further explains that her team went through the 5 stages of teambuilding. 

• Forming – you meet your teammates for the first time.
• Storming – you start learning about each other.
• Norming – you start excepting each other’s points of view or way of working.
• Performing – with your newly formed understanding you start working together.
• Termination – your project is finished and therefore your teamwork as well.

In order to successfully complete these stages you must be ready to confront each other in a respectful way. You will probably encounter teammates who are not as motivated to work on a project as you are, but the end result will depend on how well you will work together.

How teamwork can help you succeed in your career

In the workplace, teamwork is essential for success. Here are just a few of the ways that teamwork can help you advance in your career: 

• You can achieve more. When working in a team, you can accomplish more than you would be able to on your own. By pooling your resources and expertise, you can tackle bigger and more complex projects. 
• You can develop new skills. When working with others, you will have the opportunity to learn from their strengths and expertise. You will experience different points of views to the same problem, being able to think differently is in the heart of innovation. 
• You can build relationships. Working in a team allows you to build relationships with your colleagues. These relationships can be beneficial in the long-term, as they may lead to future opportunities or collaborations.

Insider tip*

Have you heard about the Belbin Roles?

Belbin roles are nine different types of personalities that people tend to take on in teams. Each role has its own strengths and weaknesses, and by understanding the different roles, teams can work better together and achieve more.

How to be a good team member

To be a successful team member, it’s important to possess certain skills and behaviors. Here are a few things you can do to be a good team member:

• A great team is open in their communication. Without fear, they freely acknowledge their faults, flaws, and worries. Respect each other in order to feel safe and therefore be vulnerable. 
• Be dependable. Follow through on commitments and meet deadlines. You will not always be able to agree on everything, that happens rarely. It is important to commit however. 
• Be open-minded. Be willing to consider different perspectives and ideas. Conflicts are welcome at great teams, but they are handled with care. 
• Be supportive. Help others when needed and make sure to recognize their contributions. The small things go a long way. 

Don’t believe us? Just look at what Google found during their investigation into how it could increase team productivity in 2012. They found that the most important factor is “”social sensitivity”. This means that team members know if they speak their mind no one will embarrass or reject them for saying so. 

Insiders tip* - Personality Test

If you are curious to better understand yourself and others and how to collaborate better, you should check the 16 personalities test. It’s crazy good, and it’s free. You will learn what drives you, inspires you, and worries you. You can also learn about other personalities.

In Conclusion

Teamwork is an essential skill that is valued by employers in today’s job market. By developing your teamwork skills in the classroom, you can set yourself up for success in your future career. Remember to be a good team member by communicating effectively, being dependable, being open-minded, and being supportive. With these skills, you’ll be able to work well in any team and achieve great results.