Developing Professional Skills
How do you help your students define their professional skills?
Susan,
Excellent job. I like the cofidence you have in your students as this will increase their confidence even more!
Shelly Crider
Determine what are professional skills in the industry they are going into and teach and maintain that standard in the classroom.
I expect students to present their work at the end of every term in a professional manner in every core course. When Merchandising students graduate, they are very prepared to present their ideas and in most cases, interview well.
Amy,
Role play is an awesome way to get students to see what is really out in the work place!
Shelly Crider
I work through the whole program explaining what the internship sites will expect of them. How they will ultimately get the job based on their professionalism, their desire to learn and grow and their communication skills. We work with the students on all levels including group projects, written communication and role playing. I believe that the role playing motivates many of the students to understand what is ultimately expected of them.
Maya,
Thank you for leading by example. For most "seeing is believing"!
Shelly Crider
I help students define their professional skills by leading by example. I exemplify what a professional is suppose to look and act like. Students must speak, dress, and carry themselves in a professional manner at all times. (They never know who is looking at them.)
David,
I like this project!!! This actually might just open doors for students to seek other areas they never thought of!
Shelly Crider
One tool I use to help develop my student's professional skills is through a very specific "Research - Writing - Presentation" project. I hand out 7-8 different topics, each with specific questions to research and answer in their own words. Then the students will present their topic to the entire class. If they wish, they can present with another student. If I feel one student is dominating the presentation, I may ask questions to the non-dominate student.
Many different goals and skills are addressed with this; computer research, learning about our course topics, writing skills, presentation skills, teamwork, quoting and/or paraphrasing other peoples work in their projects...
Jose,
I love this! Especially how to "carry" themselves as this is something lacking in our society!
Shelly Crider
Chris,
Excellent job on the classroom contract! I hope you add goals for the students on that as well.
Shelly Crider
Lisa,
I like how you say "a reason for everything" as that is so very true!
Shelly Crider
At the school where I work, we do have a student success course which teaches them everything from preparing their resumes to how to dress for an interview, how to carry themselves professionally, how to address the person interviewing them, etc. It works too.
First of all, I teach at a technical college that stresses professionalism and does a great job with their "student success" type courses.
In my own classroom, on day one, I have students read, sign and date a classroom contract which lets them know exactly what the expectations and consequences are.
I started doing this a few years ago because almost every class seems to include some who sorely are lacking in the soft skills (respect, courtesy, following simple classroom rules etc).
We do address this subject during the semester if the need arises.
My hope is that they realize that it is not just a subject grade that is important, but the impression that they make is of equal value.
We have a job development class that is taught in the senior phase. Up until that time, we impress upon the students that there is a reason for everything that we require at school as these things are also required of them in the workplace. In this way, we are encouraging the students to carry this professionalism into their careers.
Jae,
Most students do not like "rules".....they are made to be broken. So we as instructors need to show the why behind the rule!
Shelly Crider
In addition to uniform and professional standard policies, instructors discuss the importance of soft skills in each class. Sometimes students do not understand the reason behind soft skills and just view being on time, in uniform, etc. as another "rule". When students understand how the soft skill is a benefit to them, they are more likely to acknowledge the purpose.
Raven,
I would try to speak with your Director of Curriculum and see if you could add a class or add professional skills as a topic in various classes already set up. It is well worth it!
Shelly Crider
Jasen,
Good point on the use of cell phones. My children would rather text than call as well.
Shelly Crider
I love the idea of a Student Success Course. At my school, there is a need for a course directed towards how to be professional on the job. Alot of students are not taught what exactly "being professional" mean. A course that is geared towards professionalism is a great start. Alot of our students are entering the workforce right after college with no clue as to how to act, what to wear, how to act on the job, etc? I mentor my student's and often relate the things they do in class to real life situations. For example, I have a student that comes to class late everyday, turns assignments in late, dress attire isn't up to par. I often remind my class that in the "Corporate America" you don't get multiple chances to get it right. First impressions are lasting impressions most of the time. I try to tell them them that coming to work late and not completing your work in a timely manner can lead to poor job raises, no bonuses, no promotions, potential firing. My student's have come along way and I do believe it's because I constantly stay onto them about the "Real World".
