It can be hard for students that are just starting out to understand what they need to learn. They should pay attention to the following:
Visual Communication, Typography, Color Theory, Layout and Composition, Software Proficiency, Branding, UX/UI Design, Creativity, Problem-Solving, and Communication.
They should also know how to position themselves for opportunities.
I believe that focusing on all of them is actually very good but the most important thing is for the person to choose the ones that best align with what they are trying to learn at a particular time.
Also, it's a very important for them to study the graphic design tool they want to start learning with so that they can be able to manipulate it to their best advantage.
Your assessment is very correct because after acquiring all those knowledge without knowing how to position and take advantage of any opportunity which comes up makes the person a failure.
