Professional Work Ethic



Professional Work Ethic

by  on July 4, 2013
How many times have you heard that you should have a good work ethic? What does that mean to you? More importantly, what does that mean to professors or employers?  A recent survey of hiring managers found that employers believe that professionalism is fading and that students coming into professional venues do not have a strong work ethic. That is unfortunate, because most of the students I meet try very hard to do their best. Could it be that they were never taught about developing a strong work ethic?
In order to develop a strong work ethic, consider the following:
  • Show a positive attitude: a sense of entitlement does not mix well with professionalism and a good work ethic. Every class/job has aspects that are frustrating, unenjoyable, and just plain irritating. However, what you do with unpleasant aspects of a situation defines you as a student or professional. Move confidently and cheerfully into a problem-solving mode whenever possible, and avoid complaining about others. You may even help solve problems that you did not cause!
  • Never be afraid to do the job below you: I once had a supervisor tell me that she did not get a PhD so that she could bleach tables in a preschool. However, when I found myself as the Coordinator of the Infant & Child Development Laboratories at a university I chose to follow my father’s example of leadership. He stated that people will respect you if you know how, and are willing, to do every job that you expect others to do. I have found that to be very beneficial in my career. Nobody admires a diva! NOTHING is below you.
  • Stay focused on the job: US American students have the perception that they can multitask with ease. However, studies have shown that productivity goes down as focus lags. Avoid texting, facebooking, and other distractions when you have a job to do.
  • Gather as much knowledge as possible: Know what is expected of you, understand the academic or professional climate around you, review all of the information presented to you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions if something is unclear.
  • Take initiative: Questions are good, but at some point you should be able to make some decisions on your own. Gather all the information you can and then TAKE A LEAP! Have confidence that you are prepared and knowledgeable and able to complete all the tasks expected of you.
Additional Resource for Developing a Positive Work Ethic:
*Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

Popular posts from this blog

The Power of a Handshake

Image
The Power of a Handshake by   Lisa Brooks   on   August 13, 2013   What does your handshake say about you? Does it convey that you are confident and self-assured? Or, does it suggest that you are insecure, an emotional bully, or overconfident? Research shows that not only will you be judged by your handshake, you will be forming an impression about the other person when shaking hands. During my etiquette training at the Protocol School of Washington, I was taught to see the right hand as a sensor for discovering the type of person with whom I was dealing. Once you understand the subtle messages of a handshake and learn how to deliver the correct handshake, you will have a significant advantage in mastering your professional image. This article provides guidelines for delivering the correct handshake, as well as it will help you interpret (and avoid) some of the most common types of undesirable handshakes, such as the “dead fish,” the “fingertip holder,” the”glo...
Read more

The Art of Self-Disclosure

Image
The Art of Self-Disclosure by   Jill Bowers   on   June 30, 2013   How much information will  you  disclose in an interview or professional setting? It was Abraham Lincoln who said, “Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” This does not mean you should have to feel insecure that everything you say might be stupid or offend someone. What it does mean, however, is that you should think before you speak. In doing this, you can avoid disclosing  too much  information about yourself. In fact,  what  or  how much  you disclose can influence how others’ perceive you and how much they trust you as a potential employee or colleague. For example, “too much disclosure” may cause an interviewer to think you have “issues” or cause them to question your ability to keep information about their company or clients confidential. Not enough disclosure, on the other hand, can make you appear “c...
Read more

Omnipresence of Sugar

Image
                                                                    Omnipresence of Sugar By Shaun Hurdelbrink and Natasha Cole, MPH, RD on April 28, 2015 Are you aware of sugar’s omnipresence in your life or how much you truly consume? Added sugar is found in many foods: breakfast cereals, fruit juices, granola bars, ketchup, BBQ sauce, soymilk, energy drinks, protein bars, etc. You get the idea. Unsurprisingly, Americans consume “an average of more than 500 calories per day from added sugar alone.” 1  Not only do added sugars themselves contribute several hundred calories daily, but sugar’s low nutritional value makes people “continue to feel hungry” after consuming them. 2  Sugar not only contributes to obesity around the world, but it is also linked to other health problems such as: hypertension...
Read more