Molly M. Osmon
The Ohio State University Class of 2012
B.A Strategic Communications, Public Policy
Professionalism for
Students
Because “Being a Student” isn’t an Excuse
Anymore…
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Objectives
What is
Professionalism?
Discuss the key
topics regarding
professionalism
Discover the
Challenges
College Students
face with
Professionalism
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Objectives
Discuss Key Ways
to Improve Your
Professionalism
and Combat these
Challenges
Define Specific
Problems
within SALP
and address
them
Briefly touch
on moving
from student
to YP
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
WHAT IS PROFESSIONALISM?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Professionalism Is….
Demonstrating the highest level of
respect, dignity, and integrity for
your co-workers, work environment,
and superiors at all times.
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Qualities of a Professional
• Knowledge and skills of a profession
– What is a profession?
• Anything you receive money for
• SA’s…can you be considered a professional?
• What about lifeguards, waiters, sales associates?
• Pride in your profession
• Accountable to your work
• Commitment to self-improvement of skills and
knowledge
• Honest and dependable, committed, team player
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
A Professional:
•
•
•
•
Is well-mannered
Is punctual
Takes initiative
Completes any task with the utmost
proficiency
• Behaves accordingly in work-related situations
• Adheres to company culture
– Attire, appearance, language
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
A Non-Professional:
•
•
•
•
Is irresponsible
Is late
“Cuts Corners”
Disregards company culture
– i.e. dress code
• Is ill-mannered
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Test Time!
1. Do you live up to your commitments?
2. How do you behave with others, your peers, Seniors, Heather?
3. Do your managers (the seniors/Heather) see you in the “right light?”
4. What’s your integrity level?
5. Do you truly have all the skills required to be successful at your job?
6. Do people, your co-workers ,make comments on the way your attitude, job
performance, behavior?
7. Is your work environment messy or organized?
8. Are you ever late wearing the wrong clothes to events, meetings, etc.?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
KEY TOPICS OF PROFESSIONALISM
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Areas of Focus
• Communication and Office Relationships
– Formal vs. informal
– Gossip
• Conflict
– Aggressive vs. passive aggressive
• Appearance and Behavior
– Manners
– Hygiene
– Office etiquette
• Use of Technology
– E-mail
– Cell phones
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Communication
• The way you communicate with your co-workers is very
important!
• Be Formal…this is not always a must, but when speaking to a
superior it is absolutely expected.
• If someone gives you their name, remember it.
• Leave the bad habits at home. Don’t swear or make
inappropriate comments when speaking to someone.
• Make sure you listen when people are speaking to you, and
remember what they say!
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Cubicle Talk
When it comes to
conversations at work follow
this rule of thumb…
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Avoid the 4 B’s
• Bucks
• Booze
• Beliefs
• Boys (or babes for you
gentlemen)
*Note: Some work
environments are more laidback than others, but know your
boundaries and more
importantly know your coworkers first!
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Office Relationships
• It is perfectly acceptable to be friends with
and see your co-workers outside of work.
• However….
– Don’t bring what is going on “outside the office”
to work.
– It can affect your job performance, and WILL be
apparent to your co-workers.
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
OMG did you hear?!
Office Gossip
Becky from Accounting did
what!?
• Avoid it!
• Easier said than done, right?
• Some things are just too good
to keep to ourselves….but
gossip hurts, and there’s a good
chance it may not even be true.
• Be aware of the line “I heard
this from a very reliable source.”
• Remember: Rumors ALWAYS go
full circle.
• Gossiping is never professional.
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Conflict
• When conflict arises, the best thing to do is address it
in an appropriate manner
– Always go to that person FIRST before ANYONE else.
• Always be respectful of your co-workers.
and avoid burning your bridges with them. You never
know when you must rely on them in the future!
• Office politics is unavoidable.
– However, do not let people undermine you or draw you
into arguments.
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Appearance and Behavior
• Hygiene is key
– Take time to prep yourself before work each day.
– Use cologne or perfume sparingly. Not everyone
enjoys your favorite scent!
• Manners matter at work
– Good manners facilitate good working
relationships and enhanced efficiency.
• It is important to be a good steward of office
etiquette.
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Office Etiquette Musts
• These are universal truths!
• Ask before you borrow anything.
• Never Snoop!
• Be respectful and courteous of other’s
space.
• The kitchen is sacred
• Don’t steal food.
• Clean up after yourself.
• Keep your personal work space clean!
• For many people, it is difficult to work in a
messy or unorganized environment.
• Especially important if you share a
workspace.
• Studies show that individuals are twice as
productive in a “clutter free” environment.
Technology, Technology, Technology
•
E-mail
– Understand the difference between
“To” and “CC.”
– Keep messages brief and to the point.
– Don’t discuss multiple subjects in a
single message.
– Reply in a timely manner.
– Be mindful of your tone.
– Don’t overuse “reply to all.”
– Don’t overuse the “high priority” flag.
– Don’t write in ALL CAPS.
– Remember that company e-mail isn’t
private!
– Use a signature with your contact
information.
– Use your spell-checker.
– Re-read your e-mail before you send it.
•
Cell Phones
– ALWAYS silent them when in meetings,
etc.
– Never answer during a meeting or any
other official work function. (such as SA
events)
– Keep conversations in the open
appropriate
WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES
STUDENTS FACE WITH
PROFESSIONALISM?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Our Pitfalls
• Not enough training
– We don’t know better
•
•
•
•
•
No role models
School is not the workplace, so why pretend like it is?
Everyone else is doing it
No one to say “that’s not right”
Technology may have a small part to play (is being gen
Y to blame?
– What do you think?
– http://www.shrm.org/hrdisciplines/technology/Articles/Pa
ges/TechnologyErodingProfessionalism.aspx
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
WHAT CAN WE DO TO COMBAT
THESE CHALLENGES?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
• Seek out a
professional mentor
in your intended field.
• Start being your own
example.
• Start treating school
like the
workplace…become a
“upcoming young
professional” as
opposed to just a
“student.”
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Practice Makes Perfect:
Starting in the Classroom
•
•
•
•
•
•
Turn in work on time
Only turn in quality work
Interact politely with professors and other students
Interact productively in class discussions and group projects
Pay attention in class
Don’t miss class unless you have a good reason, and be on
time
• Don’t make excuses, and take responsibility for poor work
or missed deadlines
• Don’t just do the minimum…go that extra mile!
• Don’t complain that the work is too hard or too much
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Start Practicing by Doing the “Real Thing”
• Try to get as many
experiences as you can in
the “real world” before
graduation
– Complete an internship
– College WILL NOT prepare
you for your job!
– Network with as many
professionals as you can,
and get all the advice they
are willing to give.
– Learn, learn, learn!
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Getting a head start on honing these
skills already puts you ahead of the
game…because survey says your peers
won’t be ready…
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Employers are not Happy…
• Researchers at the Center for
Professional Excellence at York
College of Pennsylvania continue
to find that students aren't
making the grade as
professionals in the workplace,
says an annual nationwide
survey on the state of
professionalism among young
workers.
• In 2010, 38% of respondents felt
that less than half of all new
graduates exhibited
professionalism in the
workplace.
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
MOVING FROM STUDENT TO
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
NOT an Easy Transition…
• Some Tips
– Try to get on a regular
schedule as a student
– Though class schedules
change…try to get used
to waking up earlier,
following a set study
schedule, etc.
The Collision
of Two
Worlds…
When you Land that First Job or
Internship…
• Take a deep breath
• They chose you for a reason…now
show them everyday WHY they did
• If you have a question, ASK
– You aren’t expected to know everything
– You are better to ask and do it right the
first time, than do it wrong and have to
re-do it
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
You WILL make mistakes…that’s
okay. This is a learning process,
and no one expects you to be
perfect!
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
SALP…WHAT ARE YOUR
CHALLENGES WITH
PROFESSIONALISM?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
• ONE office
Key Ones
– Easy to step on each other’s
toes and annoy one another
• Not taking your position
seriously enough
– Remember you literally are
the “face of Columbus State”
• Everyone is young and a
student
• Working together closely
creates friendships
– That’s OKAY, but at the end of
the day you are still coworkers
– Must maintain a certain sense
of professionalism at the
stake of your workplace and
fellow co-workers
– This also makes it easy to
gossip about one another
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
RACHEAL IS QUITTING
SALP…SAY WHATTTT!!!!!!!
WORKING AGAINST THESE
CHALLENGES
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Avoiding these Pitfalls: Making your SALP Experience
Great!
• Don’t treat the office like it’s your bedroom.
– Definitely okay to be comfortable, but remember its
still your workplace
– Take your things home
• Build a relationship with your co-workers based
on trust, honesty, and respect.
• Even if you don’t like one another…you still have
to work together.
– Find common ground, and relate to each other.
– AVOID GOSSIPING!
SA Office Etiquette Reminders
Don’t touch what isn’t yours.
Use your best judgment with
the printer and copier.
Don’t steal office supplies
Clean, Clean, Clean!
Take messages and leave
good notes.
Monitor your noise level.
Refill the printer or copy machine if
you are the last to use it.
The “Professional Ambassador”
• On time for meetings and
events
• Does not miss events without
letting someone know and
finding a replacement
• Dresses in the right attire
• Treats the office with respect
• Treats fellow SA’s with respect
• Makes an effort to get to
know other SA’s, Seniors, and
Heather
• Takes advantage of all
opportunities!
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
“Professionalism is not a
punishment. It is not an attempt
to restrict your freedom, but it is
a discipline.”- Anonymous
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
QUESTIONS?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
Molly M. Osmon
The Ohio State University Class of 2012
B.A Strategic Communications, Public Policy
Thank
You!
What’s Your Message?
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College
More Questions? Get in Touch With Me!
E-mail: osmon.5@osu.edu
Twitter: @mosmon7
http://www.mollyosmon.wordpress.com
Student Ambassador Leadership Program
Columbus State Community College