Lynn,
This is true, but we need to let students know what they are good at too.
Shelly Crider
At school I have the students present to the class. I will point out what pointers I can on the grade sheet, but as a group I will point out what needs to be worked on (not pointed to individual students)
We have a student success class that helps students be successful at school and prepares them to be successful in the workplace. I always let my students know that no matter where you are you must act in a professional manner because you never know who is observing your actions. I encourage them to practice their clinical skills and ask as many questions as possible when in the classroom. In class when practicing skills I tell the students to act in a professional manner so it will be second nature when they get into the workplace.
In our schools we have mock clinics. with examples of professional behavior and unprofessional behavior after seeing the difference for them selves they aggree that it is better to be professional than not and we explain that you will never be able to keep a job with unprofessional behavior.
I work in a clinical environment, making sure that my students practice professionalism at all times.
We have a coarse that helps students learn how to be professional and a professionalism rubric that is used every day while in the clinic. The students are reminded daily about their uniform and attitudes in order to stay professional.
At my makeup artistry school I promote professionalism among all of my students, with the first being to always arrive on time. It is a small facet of professionalism but I feel is greatly overlooked by many participants in the workforce. If you are not at class at least 10 mins before we begin and prepared to begin than in my eyes you are not preparing yourself for success. I understand home and other priorities arise but for the most part I expect professionalism and disciple from my students as they prepare to attend my class.
Professional skills are emphasized in every course. We individualize by stressing skills that our potential employers feel are weakest in the demographic we are dealing with.
Jonathan,
I like this as well. This shows different types of management as well!
Shelly Crider
Ron,
Practice.....teams.....positive way.....these three items just by themselves lead to professional skills!
Shelly Crider
Stacey,
It is funny that many students do not know what soft skills are, but once we get them motivated, they tend to look at themselves a bit closer.
Shelly Crider
I like to invite employers into the classroom. That way students can hear/discuss with someone who will hire them what professional skills are important in their field. It oftentimes makes them think about topics they wouldn't have otherwsie considered.
Helping students understand how to work in teams and understand organizational structures and politics is inherrant in what I teach. I catch students at a vareity of levels and try to impres on them that thier success may depend on team members and how they present themselves. Practice in teams and in presenting themselves in a positive way are big elements as well as understanding how written work should supplement visual pieces (I teach design)
I also agree with you. However, we do not have a Professionalism course but as Instructors, and regardless of the course you are teaching or which department you are in, we all emphasize and demonstrate professionalism and structure to our students on an ongoing daily basis. Communication skills are stressed and taught through various curriculums which I feel is lacking through the students grade school and high school education. I have found that a lot of students come into our college without even knowing what soft skills are so I engage them and we work on developing soft skills which I have found to be a priority for most employers and then the technical skills. Sometimes this can be challenging but consistently working on these skills repeatedly throughout their education process prior to extern has helped many of the students gain employment through their externship. Stacey
Debra,
I like it!!! This is really pushing critical thinking along with self-evaluation!
Shelly Crider
Carla,
Anything that gets the students to look forward in a positive manner is so very helpful!
Shelly Crider
Michelle,
Life situations are wonderful to discuss with students. There are times when things happen that never show up in a book!
Shelly Crider
I just did this the other day! I stand at the white board and I ask the students: "Think of someone you know that you would consider a professional. Now what characteristics do they have? Shout them out!" then I fill up the entire board with key words that they shout out. When we are finished I go over the first five words they list.. none of which are ever "experience" but more soft skills and we talk about the importance of being "trainable" over "trained". Then I ask them... "If we all know what makes a professional; then why aren't we?"
I LOVE the idea of doing a Future Employee of the Month award. I teach the professionalism class that is the first class our students take and am always looking for creative ideas to incorporate into the classroom. I think I've just found another one - thank you!
I share personal experiences, for one. We do a lot of role play as well. I give them all kinds of situations to work with, so they use both hard skills and soft skills.
