This study was designed to determine the degree to which English I, Political Science I, Mathematics 20, and Spanish I were perceived by Los Angeles Valley College graduates to have contributed to their acquisition of practical skills. A questionnaire listing 21 job-related skills (determined through employer and supervisor interviews) was sent to 450 "four year transfer" graduates, 300 "two year occupational" graduates, and 69 instructors; response rates were 63.6%, 63.6%, and 70%, respectively. In general, the instructors' ratings for each skill were higher than those of the graduates. The graduates perceived English I as having given them far more practical skills than any of the other courses; however, they rated all the courses rather low. The skills listed were: to speak to a group; to write a report; to read with accuracy and understanding; to be creative; to be adaptable and flexible; to use judgment in making decisions; to be neat and systematic in the presentation of material; to use scientific laboratory procedures; to do mathematical computations; to put things in categories; to memorize; to draw something; to understand about the environment; to be a leader; to understand about one's self; to understand about others; to plan work; to use self discipline in meeting deadlines; to practice using shorthand; to practice typing; and to use a library. (DC)