Higher Education and its evolution in the twentieth century has seen a paradigm shift and an increased focus on the disconnect of the classroom with the employment field and market. Higher education has been presented with the challenge of not only understanding how one behaves and adapts to transitions but the approach and how to analyze a change over the long term. COVID has brought higher education a hyper focus on this issue as an impetus that has forced us to re-evaluate education and the innovative approach, not just locally but as a global educational culture. The purpose of this Action Research study is to study and improve student employee transferable job skill proficiency within higher education institutions, specifically at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Transferable job skill proficiency is defined through teamwork, communication skill sets, and efficacy within the classroom. This study was designed to investigate how WPI is assisting the students in soft skills for their own development and success not just inside the classroom, but also outside the classroom. The knowledge generated from this study is expected to inform and build expectations and framework for student development where WPI can help the student work on not only their professional skill development, but also their personal skill development. Participants and data collected in Cycle 1 consisted of two focus groups of WPI students, one group categorized as full-time students and the other Alumni of WPI (who have been out in the work field for more than six months), two faculty members, and seven staff members within the WPI institution. Themes that emerged from the data were collaboration, communication, experience, and education. The action step was then designed in Cycle 2, through a Communities of Practice approach with 8 full-time professionals within the higher education institution. During this phase the researcher learned the thoughts of the participants and a collective desire for a more a renewed sense of purpose, a heightened awareness of the institutions potential for impact, and a commitment to the betterment of their students and institution. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]