Critically Thinking About Critical Thinking For Critical Thinkers

    When sifting through many job postings, one of the main key characteristics many employers are seeking is the ability to critically think. As soon as I see this, many questions pop into my mind. Am I a critical thinker? Why is this valued so much and how is his skill evaluated?  By definition, a critical thinker has the skills of questioning, analyzing, and evaluating. I think I do that every day. Whenever I receive a class assignment, I think I regularly display critical thinking skills. I always question why I am being assigned this and what value will this have towards improving my skills. In addition, I also proceed to analyze every aspect of the assignment that I am given. After I finish, I always evaluate to see if I felt was worth my time.  By definition, I have practiced my critical thinking skills by just thinking about an assignment a professor has assigned me. However, I wonder if that is enough to qualify me as a critical thinker. I believe that a majority of students have done the same thing whenever they get an assignment.  If this is true, then what more is needed to say I meet the level of critical thinking required by prospective employers? Recently, I have learned that there is more to it than the literal definition. To be a critical thinker, I discovered, you have to be open-minded. That means accepting both conventional and unorthodox ideas. By doing this, you consider more possibilities and therefore question, analyze and evaluate more. From this, I think I am a critical thinker since I think I fit this aspect of critical thinking as well.  The part that is still alluding to me though is how much of a critical thinker I am. I think though I have at least my answer that I am good enough at this skill that I can check that box for employers. I have just demonstrated the ability I think to critically think by thinking critically about my ability to do this. 

References:

Rose, Dan. “Critical Thinking Requires an Open Mind.” Skill Path, https://skillpath.com/blog/critical-thinking-requires-an-open-mind-#:~:text=So%2C%20are%20you%20open%2Dminded,to%20be%20wrong%20about%20something.

Stone, Megan. “10. Critical Thinking: How Do You Own It?” Own Your Education!: A Student's Guide to Greater Success in School (and Life), Pearson Education, 2014.