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...

Doing Professionalism Author: Jill Bowers Video of professionals on, “What is professionalism?” https://youtu.be/O3BG_47ZV8E According to these professionals, being a professional means having an understanding of what is expected of you in your field and having the skills, competencies or qualities that allow you to meet or exceed expectations of those who you are working for or with. We interviewed a few professionals in various fields and asked them to define professionalism and their advice for acting the part. Here are 15 tips that summarize professionals’ responses: • Be able to demonstrate your knowledge and articulate it • Know how to dress and use the language you are supposed to use for the industry you are applying or will be working in; be able to look like you belong in that industry • Follow through; do what you say you will • Know and understand the expectations for formality (how you address professors, employers, colleagues, or those...

The Role of Body Language and Nonverbals by   Jill Bowers   on   June 30, 2013 As you prepare for job interviews, conferences, career fairs, or other networking opportunities, have you considered the role of your body language? This could include posture, handshakes, and facial expressions. In this Ted Talks video, Amy Cuddy (social psychologist, professor and researcher at Harvard Business School) talks about her research on  nonverbal cues, how they can influences others’ perceptions of you , and how  you may be influenced by your own nonverbals .     Watch the Ted Talk here: https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_may_shape_who_you_are?language=en   *Originally posted on the Career Skillet website (Permission granted by Jill Bowers)

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...

Top 3 Mistakes Students Make in their Internships by   Elissa Mitchell   on   July 2, 2013   Top 3 mistakes students make in their internships:  1. Not taking enough initiative Once you’ve been on the job for a while you should be able to work independently on projects without asking for too much direction from your supervisor. Of course, you should check in with your supervisor on a regular basis and make sure you’re on the same page, but you’re there to help with the work load, not create more work (and believe me, supervising an intern is work). 2. Acting like an expert The reverse of the first point is that you take too much initiative without input from your supervisor and strike out on your own – but in the wrong direction. I’ve had internship supervisors complain that their students’ sometimes need to learn when to act and when to step back; when to speak and when to listen. Yes, you may have completed all your coursework and you may even h...

How to Build a Great Relationship with Your Employer by   Tami Duzan   on   July 2, 2013   Have you ever noticed how some students always seem to connect with their instructors…or how some employees seem to always please their boss?  Here are 3 insider tips on how to build a great relationship with your boss! 1) RESPECT!   Aretha Franklin tells it like it is in her 1967 R&B hit RESPECT.  “R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me.”  Find out what RESPECT means to your boss and then show it…but KEEP IT REAL!  There’s nothing worse than an employee who is “kissing up” to the boss all of the time.  You’ll not only ruin your relationship with your boss but your co-workers won’t think very highly of you either. 2) INITIATIVE!   Employers appreciate employees who show initiative.  A good place to start is by exhibiting a good work ethic.  Show up for work a few minutes early and/or stay a few minutes late. ...

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 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...

Professional Work Ethic by   Mikki Sherwood   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 c...

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...