In contemporary workplaces, employers increasingly value soft skills such as effective communication, teamwork, and adaptability, making it imperative to explore and understand the social skills cultivated during university education (Sa-Nguanmanasak & Khampirat, 2019; Poláková et al., 2023). Social skills, identified as pivotal employability skills for graduates, extend beyond the confines of academic knowledge, playing an instrumental role in shaping successful trajectories (Owusu et al., 2022; Thomas et al., 2023). 

Recognizing their significance, higher education institutions (HEIs) have adopted a holistic approach, emphasizing the concurrent development of social skills alongside academic skills (Arhuis-Inca & Ipanaqué-Zapata, 2023; Khampirat, 2021). This strategic emphasis aligns with the multifaceted nature of success, not only in the labor market but also in personal life and future careers, as asserted by García-Álvarez et al. (2022). Within the sphere of employability, the essence of social skills lies in their transformative impact on graduates' ability to navigate a rapidly evolving professional landscape. The capacity to motivate others, a key facet of these skills, translates into effective team collaboration and leadership (Ćurlin et al., 2020; Garrote & Moser, 2021). The ability to build and maintain relationships, as highlighted by Ćurlin et al. (2020) and Garrote & Moser (2021), serves as a cornerstone for networking and collaborative endeavors.

As the labor market continues to demand a workforce equipped with a diverse skill set, the trajectory of higher education is marked by an imperative to produce well-rounded individuals. Social skills, therefore, emerge as catalysts for success, influencing personal and professional growth (Shen & Wang, 2023). This comprehensive skill set becomes a hallmark of graduates prepared not only with academic proficiency but also with the interpersonal acumen and adaptability necessary for a dynamic world (Lee et al., 2024; Narimani et al., 2023; Poláková et al., 2023). The evolving landscape of work and career trajectories underscores the enduring relevance of social skills, positioning them as a linchpin in the paradigm of contemporary education and employability (Aliu & Aigbavboa, 2023).

Therefore, the objective of this research proposal is to assess social skills in alignment with the requirements of the labor market. To address this objective, the study formulates the following research questions:

Q1: Which social skills align with the demands of contemporary labor markets?

Q2: What is the proficiency level of social skills among Thai students?

Q3: Is there a difference in social skill levels between students who have experienced internships and those who have not?

The study's design was meticulously developed, grounded in the background, problems, and objectives. It initiated from preliminary work and progressed through the five crucial stages of Social Skills Scale (SOSS) development and analysis. These stages encompassed the creation of a new scale, sample recruitment, item reduction, data collection, and the assessment of reliability and validation. An additional facet involved scrutinizing mean differences across variables such as gender, family average income, types of internships or work experiences, and duration. In Stage I, focused on items generation and selection, the primary objective was to craft a tool for assessing social skills. This phase was firmly grounded in the study's theoretical framework, an extensive literature review, and prior instruments. Utilizing insights from existing studies covering a broad spectrum of competencies, the research constructed 59 initial positive-question items. To ensure suitability for measuring SOSS for labor market needs, existing items from previous studies were selectively chosen. Stage II involved expert reviewing and a pilot study. Seven experts evaluated the initial 59-item SOSS, bringing significant workplace assessment experience. They assessed each item's quality and provided feedback to enhance appropriateness and clarity. Content validity, as judged by experts, was analyzed using the index of item-objective congruence (IOC). The final iteration of the SOSS comprised 59 items rated on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree, 5 = strongly agree), available in both English and Thai. The research included 955 participants from 15 universities across Thailand, presenting a diverse demographic profile. 20% were males and 80% were females. Their ages ranged mostly from 19-22 years. Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee at the University. Data collection was conducted anonymously through the use of Google Forms. Descriptive statistics were employed to understand central tendencies and variabilities in the responses, and exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to establish construct validity. Additionally, an independent t-test was utilized to examine differences in social skills across internship experiences.

In conclusion, the research systematically addressed three pivotal inquiries, offering invaluable insights into the social skills landscape among Thai students and their alignment with contemporary labor markets. Firstly, the study meticulously identified a comprehensive set of social skills crucial for success in today's dynamic work environments through an extensive literature review and scale development process. Secondly, by surveying 955 participants from 15 universities in Thailand, the research not only illuminated the current state of social skills but also contributed to the ongoing discourse on the role of education in fostering these competencies. Thirdly, the study investigated the impact of internships on social skill levels, revealing whether practical experiences significantly contribute to students' social skill development—a crucial aspect for educational institutions and employers alike. The expected outcomes include a detailed understanding of demanded social skills, serving as a roadmap for curriculum development, proficiency level benchmarking, and insights into the impact of internships. Importantly, the research is beyond the Thai context, with implications applicable to other countries, including European nations. Recognizing the universal value of social skills in the global job market, the identified competencies resonate across diverse cultural and economic contexts. The findings provide guidance for international educational institutions and policymakers to tailor curricula and strategies to match the social skill requirements of their respective labor markets, with specific insights into the impact of internships.

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