Professional growth as a transformative axis for soft skills development in Higher Education

Abstract

Global higher education faces the challenge of training professionals with strong soft skills in addition to technical competencies. This article analyzes the development of these skills in Auditing and Management Control students (ULEAM, Ecuador) and proposes integrating "professional growth" as a transformative curricular axis. This mixed-doctoral research reveals a significant gap between the recognized importance of soft skills and their effective promotion in the current curriculum. Systemic weaknesses are identified. The results urge a curriculum redesign focused on professional growth to explicitly and comprehensively cultivate these competencies, enhancing the holistic training, employability, and social contribution of graduates.