Health and Human Services Professional Development

From Casual to Professional Author: Mikki Sherwood The skills you use to navigate relationships with your peers are very different than the skills used when communicating with teachers, employers, or other figures of authority. Having the ability to distinguish between professional and personal worlds, and learning how to interact with others in both environments, is critical to your success as you apply for jobs and interact with professionals in your field. Many people have problems switching from the super-casual vernacular used with their friends to a more professional tone when in an academic or work environment. The problems I have seen in my work as a professor have centered on the misuse of another person’s time and a too-casual demeanor. Yet, these social mistakes can be avoided with some thoughtful self-reflection and by practicing prosocial responses. Here are a few things to think about: Think before you speak about the timeliness and relevance of your questio...

WHAT YEAR SHOULD I ATTEND MY FIRST JOB FAIR? It is never too early to attend your first job fair. Although you may not be on the job market as a freshman or sophomore in college, attending a job fair could give you an idea of the types of organizations that exist in your field, or the types of jobs that you can get. Make sure you go to job fairs prepared regardless of what stage of career planning you are in. You never know who you will meet or what kind of opportunities the career fair can bring. Therefore, dress appropriately (see  Making the Most of a Job Fair ), and if you ARE on the job market, bring a few copies of your resume (make sure your resume proofed by a mentor or career services counselor).  Written by: Jill Bowers Additional resources for attending job fairs: How to Prepare for a Job/Career Fair [Virgina Tech website] Top Ten Tips for Students Attending Career or Job Fairs [Quintessential Careers] Job Fair 101; What to Wear Bring, and Ask [Men’s Life Today] ...

Check out this PBS.org video,  “It’s OK to be Smart: Pay Attention!”  It describes the fact that we are wired all of the time! Technology allows us to be alone, but still together. It connects us to one another and to a vast onslaught of information. We have to take all of this information and filter out what we don’t need. Luckily our brain is complex, and has the capability to allow us to focus on the information that is important to us, and ignore the rest. I recommend you take five minutes and focus on this interesting video!It’s OK to be Smart: Pay Attention!”

All Grown Up and Doin’ It on Your Own! by   Mikki Sherwood   on   July 2, 2013   For the past few years I have been teaching two night classes in a row. The first class met from 4-6:30pm and the second from 7-9pm. That is a LONG time to be on your feet. I really wanted to change my schedule to something that was not so physically difficult. What do you think I did about the problem??????? I had my mother call my Asst. Chairperson and explain that the hours were problematic for me and that they were causing my feet to hurt. Just kidding, of course. Would it ever occurred to you that a professional woman in her 40’s would involve her mother in her job? But…..have you, or anyone you know, ever had a family member contact a professor or future employer? NOTHING erodes credibility more than an inability to address a situation without the help of parents. It is very unprofessional to bring family members into the academic or professional setting. When an issue o...

What is a Mentor and How do I Find One? by   Mikki Sherwood   on   July 4, 2013 Most of us have heard of the importance of mentoring. However, do we really know what that means? I know I really struggled with the concept of mentoring when I was a student. The whole idea was intimidating to me. A mentor is someone that guides or advises on a regular basis. A mentor is honest, but supportive, and has the time to spend with you. According to  WiseGeek.com   “Mentors share their body of experience, relating what they have learned in ways that will connect with the newcomer.” Please note that a mentor should want to get to know you and be willing to form a mutual relationship. A mentor does not just teach, but will collaborate with you in a supportive manner. According to  Forbes.com  “Mentoring is a responsibility; a commitment that requires valuable time and focused attention to assure the mentee’s goals are progressing forward.” Finding, ...

What to do with a Bad Grade by   Mikki Sherwood   on   July 4, 2013 You worked hard; and you thought you had nailed the assignment! When your paper is returned you have a grade that is lower than you expected. What can you do? I teach hundreds of students a year. Unfortunately, students are not always happy with the grade I believe that they earned. I am always happy to discuss grades; however, the conversation can go more smoothly if a few tips are followed. Give yourself a day to calm down . Initial disappointment may give in to an understanding of what you did wrong if you sleep on it and look at everything from a less emotional perspective. Look over all of the directions again . Could you have missed something important in the directions? Check any handouts, web resources and the syllabus before approaching your professor. Ask to make an appointment with your professor so that he or she can focus attention on you and your questions.  Avoid trying to...

Say WHAT?? How to Address Problem Situations by   Mikki Sherwood   on   July 8, 2013   When a problem occurs we could all potentially respond in a manner that is not positive. Below is a list of actual comments I have heard from students in the last 16 years of my work as a university professor. It is too bad you grade so hard and cost me an A. You have no compassion and do not understand students. Be patient; my computer skills are a rusty. I worked really hard on this paper! Why did you give me a C? I won’t be in class on Thursday; will I miss anything? I stopped by your office three times and you were never there! Do you think these comments are helpful as a solution to a negative issue? How would you reword these statements in order to be more professional in nature? Does your approach to a problem lend itself to a solution, or negativity on both sides? Let’s rethink some of these comments and reword them into a more positive approach: I th...