Speech skills as a component of professional mobility of higher education graduates

Abstract

Speech skills today function not only as a tool of interpersonal interaction but also
as a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the professional mobility of higher
education graduates entering an increasingly dynamic and unpredictable labour
market. In the context of globalisation, digital transformation, and the growing
complexity of professional communication, mastery of spoken and written language
becomes a key factor influencing the adaptability, competitiveness, and long-term
professional development of young specialists. The article examines how the ability
to construct coherent utterances, formulate arguments, and adjust communicative
strategies in accordance with situational and disciplinary requirements directly
affects a graduate's capacity to navigate organisational changes, assume new
professional roles, and maintain effective collaboration within interdisciplinary
teams.
Particular attention is given to the multidimensional nature of professional discourse
competence, which includes rhetorical culture, argumentation literacy, stylistic
flexibility, and pragmatic sensitivity in face-to-face and virtual communication
settings. The study analyses the mechanisms through which speech practices
contribute to the development of soft skills, facilitate successful integration into
professional communities, and support continuous learning throughout a specialist's
career. The article also highlights the role of digital communication norms,
multimodal literacy, and the ability to operate within polycode information
environments, which increasingly shape modern professional interaction. The
research incorporates an extended overview of contemporary scholarly approaches
to communicative competence in the professional formation of students, focusing on
both classical linguistic theories and current interdisciplinary studies.