I get a LOT of feedback from my students about Professional Skills; for the most part about the apparent dichotomy between what we as educators are trying to teach them versus what they see in the "real-world" (usually on televison.) During Ethics classes the discussion is lively and oppositional, wondering "why ethics is so important if you have to claw your way to the top of the corporate ladder." Others cite instances such as sitcoms "The Office" or "30 Rock", thinking these are viable examples of real corporate behavior. One student gave an impassioned speech for the death of ethical behavior in the modern time, citing politicians who lie and are unashed of their behavior when caught.
I fall back on standard replies about the necessity of Ethical behavior and professionalism, but it doesn't always sway the student.
Chemo,
I like that....it is about skill sets and there is no better way to learn than hands on training!
Shelly Crider
We talk about it's all about presentation, and more skill sets you have; the more marketable the individual will be!
I have my students work on individual and team projects together using the pc. Before they leave their 5 week mode they feel much more comforable in pc skills and on their way becoming professionals as well.
I always encourage this. We are in a society where having computer skils and developing our professional skills is no longer an option - but a requirement.
Lionel,
You hit upon a key word here....constantly......we as instructors need to constantly show how communication works and how to make it better to our students....online or in a classroom.
Shelly Crider
As a Chef Instructor we have to spend days in a classroom and days in a lab or kitchen.
Professional skills are developed through their individual performance cooking the menu.
They have to respect each other, communicate and behave like in a professional kitchen.
They understand also their end result of their performance according to my feedback on what need to be improved in the next lab. The last assignement that they have to complete is their self-assesment regarding their performance.
This usually make them understand why their daily grade is great or just ok . Usually improvement is applied constantly making them stronger and better while building confidence and growing at the same time.
Maria,
Interesting concept. I, too, like internalization. I have never tried it online, but I think I will. Thank you for the tip!
Shelly Crider
Anthony,
It is nice to see someone showing what is acceptable from the Internet. The Internet is full of info, but some of the info is incorrect.
Shelly Crider
I strongly encourage, if not require, my students to apply internalization in class. I want them to see me as their manager, the school as the workplace, and themselves as employees. This way, they are conscious of their demeanor and the quality of their work. They would not be acting up in the workplace, so they don't act up in class. There are rules and policies that they have to follow in any organization, so they train themselves to respect these rules; otherwise, they jeopardize their jobs. Promotions are based on overall job performance, integrity, and maybe pleasant personality. This will affirm that what they give is what they get.
I teach them how to gather the approprate information that is out there on the Internet regarding their topic(s, then to reject the irrelevant information and save the important information related to their topic(s). This can be achieved by listening to the topics that are discussed in the class and the information that is touched in the discussion. there are boundries in which the relevency of the information(s) are very important to the specific topic.
Richard,
Thank you for taking the time to explain why this is important in our lives whether we do development or not.
Shelly Crider
As an instructor at a career institute, teaching classes that take the students into areas they will not necessarily use on any regular basis (web development, for example, for 3D modeling/animation students), I constantly discuss the need to know how to develop materials that will be displayed on websites. I point out the importance of utilizing their skills to create visual interest, or how to properly prepare files - both still and video - for use on the internet. For the most part, I know that they are turned off by coding and by building sites because it is far removed from their area of interest, so I try to make the projects as interesting as possible, with research being a key component. One project, in particular, makes the student research areas of specialities and then build a web page that outlines that information in both words and pictures.
While I am completely aware they have no interest in web development as part of their careers, to know how their materials might be used or how they might be asked to set up files for web use, will prove beneficial down the road.
I find that role play is very effective in developing professional skills.
Antoinette,
Talking out a scenerio is a great way to get students involved in discussion area!!
Shelly Crider
I have my students treat everyone as if they are a patient in the lab. They must introduce themselves and explain whatever procedure they are going to do. I think this helps them to think professionally when in the lab.
Earl,
Professionalism cannot be spoken too much in our classes. I believe we can all attest to the fact that there are some businesses we have been in and would have liked to have discussed professionalism with those current workers!!
Shelly Crider
Manuela,
Communication is clearly something that everyone needs. We also need to realize the different types of communication, professional vs friendly.
Shelly Crider
Since I have the opportunity to teach the career development and career management courses at my campus, I personally make professional development the number one priority in these classes. The term emotional intelligence (EQ)sums up what I expect of them. I help student assess the maturity level. They should pay close attention to how the carry themselves and how they relate to others. I also help them realize that this is a professional school and they should seek to gain some technical skills from each class they taken (verses focusing just on making the grade).
How the carrying themselves on a daily basis meshed with the skills they are learning should help them in creating their professional identity.
I, among other courses, teach psychology. Psychology is the science of behavior and thinking processes. Right after defining, I use this definition for my students to think about their behavior and thinking for everything they do, they say etc. The definition is the first thing I write on the board at the beginning of class. As I lecture and discusiions come up, I point to the definition and encourage my students to think about their professional skills, are they communicating affectively, are they listening, do they think critically about what the do and in their thinking.
Michele,
Soft skills is what I have seen missing in students for awhile. Good to hear you are honing in on these skills.
Shelly Crider
Michele,
This emphasizes critical skill thinking and writing as well.....I like this!
Shelly Crider
