Health and Human Services Professional Development

What Regrets Will You Have? by   Mikki Sherwood   on   August 19, 2013 Many people have regrets. This article on Huffington Post highlights many of the important aspects of life and gives you an idea of what you might view as important when you look back on your accomplishments.  How well do you listen and value advice from parents, professors, or other adults? Do you take others’ hurtful comments/reactions to heart? Do you take sexual risks?  How have you learned from your mistakes? It’s important to think about these things now. Read the full article for tips on living life with little regret: The 20 Things I Wish Someone Told Me at 20 – Huffington Post *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers).

What are Social Skills? by   Jill Bowers   on   June 3, 2013 Social skills involve picking up on social cues, interpreting the behavior of others, and interacting with others in positive ways.  Examples of social skills may include self-confidence, problem-solving, being flexible and adaptable, displaying empathy, dealing with conflict, smiling, being polite, showing interest, actively listening, and many more. Necessary social skills can vary based on the social norms of a given culture or setting. Some social skills may be innate, but many can be learned. As Daniel Goleman noted in his book,  Social Intelligence , a crucial component to acting wisely in relationships is to develop an understanding of how our moods or reactions are influenced by our interactions (past and present) with others and equally important, how our actions, words, and nonverbal behaviors make others feel and react to us. Example of good social skills: Maintaining eye contact ...

8 Steps Towards Professionalism by   Jill Bowers   on   September 6, 2014   In need of a job? Want to avoid living on Mom’s couch forever? Professional demeanor can be the difference between being hired or fired. Here are 8 simple tips that you can use to make certain you are prepared to behave like the professional that you are or have the potential to be. 1. Dress “appropriately” Media Source:http://media1.giphy.com/media/uFcNbEr46h9Is/200_s.gif What is appropriate? Well, this may vary by position. Yet, as a general rule of thumb, if the attire is appropriate for a night club or party, it most likely is NOT appropriate for the workplace. 2.Speak with substance Media source: https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTwbhpSWYRQQkm6K_PESA6l6yo1mRmvulanArcevwe5dGBwXgIT Make meaningful conversation, and answer questions directly, rather than talking in circles. Do not over-disclose, revealing information about your personal life or pe...