Toni,
I like this. Ongoing soft skill knowledge is a must. Many people think they have a skill, when in reality, they are lacking part of the skill.
Shelly Crider
thomas,
It is good to make your point on the first day and to continue to reiterate the point as well.
Shelly Crider
We have ongoing soft skills training that is part of every week's lesson plan. This can be presented as a stand alone portion of class lecture or can be integrated in the lab skills training and performance. It really does take the clear explanation of what is expected in professionalism and is enhanced by the appropriate behavior and mentoring of faculty and staff.
We help our students develop thier professional skills starting on the first day of class with explainig our expectations of them as students. This follows them through out all of their classes and is part of their overall class grade. We stress how important professionalism is as part of being sucsessfull in their careers.
Karl,
I would say those students who "get it" in school will also "get it" in the real world work force. Great job!
Shelly Crider
Kelly,
I love that experience for the students as it prepares them for the real world where respect is missing in areas!
Shelly Crider
At our technical school, we already have quite a few policies in place for our students to follow. i.e. proper school uniform,proper shoes,proper I.D. padge,docked professional points for being late and leaving early from class, and those things related to overall professional conduct. So one of our job duties as instructors is not only to enforce said policies, but to also explain why. Majority of students get it, but some don't. Thank you
In our programs, the faculty are expected to mirror the professional relationship with the students that they will experience once in the medical field. We speak to them as colleagues, encourage open dialogue that is professional and respectful, even when it's a disagreement. The faculty are professionally respectful to one another and mirror problem solving discussions in front of the students. Students are expected to be punctual and ready to work, as though they were clocking in to their job.
It can be a challenge to teach professionalism with some of today's younger students. I can't tell you how many email conversations I have returned and asked that it be re-worded or re-sent with correct punctuation and grammar. Every piece of communication with our students matters while they are with us.
Arthur,
Yes, students do not get tired of hearing what is really expected of them from the same companies that they might want to work for.
Shelly Crider
Maria ,
Very well stated...punctuality is something that many people have forgotten about and one reason many companies have a point system!
Shelly Crider
As stated in other post industry members are key to raising professional skills. Industry members will speak to students and share professional standards for a position within the company.
I completely agree with Deborah. The best way to teach our students to be professional is with our example and this includes all staff at school. Students often think that coming to school is only listen to class, take notes (if any now many students don't want to write but that is another subject),take a test and pass; but they are forgetting that education includes to become professionals: punctuality, dress code, communication, responsibility, etc,. We are forming professionals and not only be knowledegeable persons in your area. It is not easy for all students to understand this (and sadly not 100% of instructors get it either)but that is my goal as part of an education institution.
Glenn,
Comparison is a great tool. This lets students see where there were, where they are and where they can go.
Shelly Crider
clive,
I like the fact that you said "good at anything they do" as that is an excellent instructor. Students may be in a class they do not want to be, but having an instructor that pushes them to be good at other things will be a lasting instructor in their mind.
Shelly Crider
Kathleen,
I love helping students with time management. Have you used Microsoft Project before? This sometimes gives the students a little extra push.
Shelly Crider
Paul,
Putting a grade on professionalism really tells the students how important this is.
Shelly Crider
Dale,
It is their first step into the real business world. I like it!
Shelly Crider
Ann,
I have seen this done in classes and it is an eye opener for several students. They think they know what they are good at, but they may not always know where they need help!
Shelly Crider
IBRAHIM,
This is an excellent exercise for the students. I do think item 1 is very important as you would not want a student doing a review that did not know for sure what they were reviewing. Great job!
Shelly Crider
shelina,
I like the fact that your professional development program is in every class as this will show how important professionalism is to the students.
Shelly Crider
