Career Corner: Generation Y needs to steph it up a notch
Jaqueline Quillen
Issue date: 11/18/09 Section: News
Professionalism is a must-have in the work world but how many recent college grads actually demonstrate professionalism? Not many and not very well, according to a study from York College of Pennsylvania.
York College created a Center for Professional Excellence that offers programs to help students develop into professionals. The center conducted the Professionalism study to observe traits associated with professionalism, recent grads' professional behavior according to employers' experiences, the effect of professionalism in the hiring process, and how colleges play a role in professional development. The study's results are based on a survey that asked over 500 human resources professionals and business leaders what professionalism means to them and how well recent college grads demonstrate it in the work world.
The overall result of the study shows that professionalism amongst college grads has taken a plunge in recent years. Why? It is a combination of reasons - a sense of entitlement; lack of motivation and focus; poor attitude and work ethic; culture changes; lack of respect and social skills; technology's influence causing less personal interaction. The study suggests that colleges should be doing more to enforce professional development in students.
Professionalism is not defined by the specific position. It is more relevant to the individual person and how they present themselves. So then what is professionalism according to current employers and professionals?
Think of it as eating at the dining room table instead of in the kitchen because of company; manners are the key. Be polite, have a positive attitude, dress nicely, and engage in conversation by talking and listening. For example, the ability to communicate effectively and make personal interactions with others with courtesy and respect is extremely important. Remember that communication is not just talking, but listening also.
Respondents of the survey mentioned other characteristics of professionalism such as appearance and a good work ethic to show an employee's motivation and dedication to completing tasks. The traits that employers value the most are responsibility, independence, ambition, and perseverance. The most common quality that employers see in college grads is the extreme ambition and perseverance: the career-driven mentality of being so concerned about opportunities for career advancement. Employers don't take this into consideration; they are more interested in professional conduct rather than seeing how badly you want to rise to the top.
York College created a Center for Professional Excellence that offers programs to help students develop into professionals. The center conducted the Professionalism study to observe traits associated with professionalism, recent grads' professional behavior according to employers' experiences, the effect of professionalism in the hiring process, and how colleges play a role in professional development. The study's results are based on a survey that asked over 500 human resources professionals and business leaders what professionalism means to them and how well recent college grads demonstrate it in the work world.
The overall result of the study shows that professionalism amongst college grads has taken a plunge in recent years. Why? It is a combination of reasons - a sense of entitlement; lack of motivation and focus; poor attitude and work ethic; culture changes; lack of respect and social skills; technology's influence causing less personal interaction. The study suggests that colleges should be doing more to enforce professional development in students.
Professionalism is not defined by the specific position. It is more relevant to the individual person and how they present themselves. So then what is professionalism according to current employers and professionals?
Think of it as eating at the dining room table instead of in the kitchen because of company; manners are the key. Be polite, have a positive attitude, dress nicely, and engage in conversation by talking and listening. For example, the ability to communicate effectively and make personal interactions with others with courtesy and respect is extremely important. Remember that communication is not just talking, but listening also.
Respondents of the survey mentioned other characteristics of professionalism such as appearance and a good work ethic to show an employee's motivation and dedication to completing tasks. The traits that employers value the most are responsibility, independence, ambition, and perseverance. The most common quality that employers see in college grads is the extreme ambition and perseverance: the career-driven mentality of being so concerned about opportunities for career advancement. Employers don't take this into consideration; they are more interested in professional conduct rather than seeing how badly you want to rise to the top.
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samueljaxon
Custom Written Paper
posted 2/03/10 @ 9:01 AM EST
Thanks for great news!
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