TUTORIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM (PET) AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOFT SKILLS OF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: A STUDY WITH PET STUDENTS CONEXÕES DE SABERES OF ITR/UFRRJ

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the contributions of the Tutorial Education Program (PET) to the development of the behavioral skills of scholarship holders who work at PET Conexões de Saberes at the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ). To this end, exploratory research with a qualitative approach was carried out. As a research instrument, in-depth interviews were carried out with eight fellows who work in the program. After data collection, the data was analyzed using the discourse analysis technique, in order to prioritize the content of the messages transmitted by the respondents. As a result, it was found that the Tutorial Education Program (PET) Conexões de Saberes, from the Três Rios Institute of the Federal Rural University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRRJ), proved to be an effective tool in developing the scholarship holders' soft skills. The participants' testimonies highlighted the program's contribution to improving behavioral skills, such as communication, responsibility, empathy, critical thinking and teamwork. The favorable environment for developing these skills is provided by the program's diverse activities, including research, extension and mentoring projects. The interactions promoted through extension activities, which involve contact with people outside the university, are seen as especially beneficial for strengthening the communicative competence of the fellows. Furthermore, the diversity of participants, coming from different courses, such as Administration, Environmental Management and Law, enriches the PET experience, expanding students' ability to deal with heterogeneity, preparing them for future challenges in the job market. Although PET has been recognized for its positive impact on the development of behavioral skills, suggestions have been made to improve the program, including encouraging student autonomy in developing new projects and implementing projects more focused on developing specific skills, such as problem solving, scientific writing and emotional intelligence. It is concluded, therefore, that PET plays a crucial role in the development of students not only in the academic field, but also in the challenges of personal and professional life. This finding highlights the importance of holistic educational programs, such as PET, in training individuals with the technical, social and emotional capacity to face the challenges of the contemporary world.