Sometimes the students think they are professional but they are not and this course was excellent for professionlism
Tammy,
This is an excellent way to foster critical thinking skills.
Shelly Crider
David,
I am goal oriented as well. I love talking with students about goals. I have seen some students who have no real goal.
Shelly Crider
The program I recently worked for had a "Professional Developement" class every Friday during the students last term. This focused on resume writing, stress management, ethical debates, interview skills, developing active listening skills, affective verbal and non-verbal communication, etc.
I am now at a new facility and there is no focus on professional skills. I'm going to discuss this with the PD.
On the first day of class, we complete an exercise in which students write down their goals for the course, goals upon graduation, a 5-year professional goal and a 10 year professional goal. We visit this worksheet again at the end of the term to evaluate course goals and discuss the value of writing down ones goals.
Terence,
I love this project! This is current, hands-on work!
Shelly Crider
Shantel,
We do tend to live in a "my way vs your way" before we enter school!
Shelly Crider
Brittney,
I hope the instructor uses a lot of personal experience or the students may just see another class they have to take. I do like that they see the importance of Career Development and Career Management.
Shelly Crider
One activity that I have found helpful is to have the students print a job posting that they are interested in applying form. I have them highlight every skill that they have and then write their resume and cover letter for that position. Before turning it in, they must also highlight the items on their resume and cover letter that relate to the job posting.
Students need to understand that professionalism must be intentional. It involves first impression areas such as modest dress, simple accessories, and personal hygiene. It includes honesty,treating everyone with respect, and being tolerant of non-obstructive differences. It is teaching and modeling conflict resolution that is not "my way versus your way" but seeking what solution will bring the best outcome in this situation. It is being personally responsible and tactfully holding others accountable. Professionalism is a learned attitude and way of life.
We have a Career Development course and a Career Management course that is geared towards professional development.
David,
Very good point. I would be nice to "hang out" with students, but we do need to keep a professional appearance around them as well.
Shelly Crider
I have found for me that a very good way to help the students with their professional skills is to always be professional around the students. Most times when the instructor acts professional then the students follow. There are always the few that will act or do things that are unprofessional and that is just another situation where that instructor can educate the student what he should different.
Donna,
You will get more discussion involvement when you do discuss current issues at hand.
Shelly Crider
Not only do I like to lead by example, I like to discuss behavioral issues as they arise and ask students to discuss how the behavior can be turned into a professional example. We work on roll playing for professionalism, having students act out a professional way to handle something vs an unprofessional way to handle it. These skits are videod and presented in class.
Sebastian,
I love this! We sometimes get very comfortable in our ways and forget soft skills.
Shelly Crider
Laurna,
I agree. I think students feel a part of the work world when they are dressed in the professional clothes.
Shelly Crider
Allyson,
Seminars are a wonderful way to soak up resources.
Shelly Crider
At my school , we have implemented into our curriculum courses designed for developing a student's professional skills like for example:
Conflict Resolution, Working in Teams, Co-Worker Relationships, Professional Dress, Accountability, Professional Courtesy, Professional Writing, Speaking, etc. I always consider it's a good idea to inform the students about today's employers expectations. I also like to encourage my students to do some job search online , to find out what today's employers expect from their employees. The students should understand while in school what's out there in the real world, and what employer's will expect from them.
For presentations my students are required to come in professional dress and presnt to the class as if they are presenting in a professional setting. I have found that the students actually enjoy this and their presentation scores are better as a result. This helps them to prepare for the workplace.
