Professionalism
Professionalism is the conduct, behaviour and attitude of someone in a work or business environment. A person does not have to work in a specific profession to demonstrate the important qualities and characteristics of a professional. Professionalism leads to workplace success; this also includes student success within placement or even within the classroom.
In a study on Career Readiness conducted by NACE (National Association of Colleges and Employers), employers who hire college graduates were asked which professional competencies were essential to workplace success. This ethic topped the list with 97.5% of respondents identifying it as either “absolutely essential” or “essential” for a new college hire’s success.
Here are a few things you can do to develop and practice professionalism:
- Be Productive
Use time wisely and focus on your job responsibilities. You can get into this habit as soon as you enter the classroom by showing up to class on time, participating in class and completing homework and assignments on time.
- Demonstrate Integrity
Be accountable for your work and actions while behaving ethically at all times. If you miss an assignment in class, that’s on you. Don’t make excuses!
- Develop Self-Awareness
Be mindful of your emotions and gain awareness of your emotional triggers so you can respond in a professional manner. Accept and reflect on feedback to assist as you learn and grow.
Professionalism is something we can all work on, however, as a student, you have the perfect opportunity to start working towards the goal of developing professional skills before you even walk into the workforce.