BEHAVIORAL SKILLS AND NEW PARADIGMS IN THE WORLD OF WORK: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ACADEMIC TRAINING OF UFES ADMINISTRATION STUDENTS

Objective: This study aimed to analyze whether the Federal University of Espírito Santo Business Administration course prepares its students to develop the behavioral skills required by the current job market. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework related to the job market is considered most important for achieving professional success with the behavioral skills worked on in higher education professional training courses. The study assumed that the more market demands align with the training received in higher education institutions, the greater the degree of satisfaction of graduates. Method: The research used a mixed approach, combining quantitative and qualitative methods, to assess graduates' perceptions of developing these skills throughout the course. Data were collected from graduating students of a class of the Business Administration course at the Federal University of Espírito Santo (UFES) through questionnaires and interviews, organized and analyzed using content and semantic analysis, and presented in graph form. Results and Discussion: The results revealed that the graduates only consider themselves to have the behavioral skills of “teamwork” and “flexibility.” In contrast, in all the others, there is a need to redesign the professional training provided to them about these components that can determine success or failure in the profession. Research Implications: This research has practical and theoretical implications, including the necessary restructuring of the pedagogical project of the analyzed course, the use of active methodologies in the project's execution, and the support of contemporary technologies in simulations and decisions, such as artificial intelligence and computer vision. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by showing that the human aspects of administration need to be worked on, such as what future professionals will encounter in the exercise of their profession in conjunction with contemporary technologies.