Culture
Culture Editor: Katelin Pompa – xzgw@iup.edu Lead Culture Writer: Haley Brown – tbfx@iup.edu
Kelley Thompson hosted a presentation via Zoom and debunked myths of professionalism.
(Haley Brown/The Penn)
CPDC showcases do’s, don’ts in workplace HALEY BROWN
Lead Culture Writer
tbfx@iup.edu @ThePennIUP
Kelley Thompson, the associate director of the IUP Career and Professional Development Center (CPDC), hosted a Zoom conference about professionalism in the workplace Nov. 4. Thompson went over the “do’s and don’ts” of professionalism and workplace etiquette from professional dress codes to how to foster healthy coworker relationships and set healthy boundaries. She started the presentation with a short audience poll. The poll involved three questions designed so that Thompson could get a feel for where everyone stood in the preparation process for their professional life. The poll involved three questions. First was about each watcher’s opinion about their own preparedness for succeeding in a professional environment. Next was whether the watchers knew what professionalism meant. Finally, it was about how important the audience thought professionalism was to their career success. The audience polled that they were interested in learning more about professionalism to increase the likelihood of success in their future career. After her short poll, Thompson began by asking her audience members what qualities they
Culture
thought of as professionals. The audience responded in the meeting’s group chat, and Thompson’s assistant, Jennifer Abraham, read the responses aloud. Some of them included: being calm, cool and collected, being respectful, being an organized and effective communicator, and being confident. Thompson defined professionalism as an important workplace skill that should be applied in interviews, on job applications and in the workplace itself. She explained that professionalism is one of the biggest factors that might lead to career success. “This trait in particular involves and impacts every aspect of your job,” Thompson said. “A lack of professionalism has the potential to cost you a job opportunity, a promotion, opportunities for advancement or bonuses at work, or even put you first in line for a layoff at work. So, it’s something you should really take seriously.” She went over some common misconceptions that people may have about what it means to be professional. The myths she touched on were how professionalism is not just about dressing well,
being nice and saying the right thing. She also spoke about the other myths that some of which, included: blending into your environment, how professionalism is solely about being a kind and pleasant person, and how it is not only about putting on airs.
deliver quality work because you’re driven to do so.” Thompson also explained that professionalism has a lot to do with acting with integrity and being courteous to others. The audience was told that workplace etiquette can be thought of as the code that governs the expectations of social behavior in the workplace and is put in place to respect time, people and processes. Work etiquette can include a wide range of aspects like body language and being conscious of facial expressions, appropriate work behavior, engaging in appropriate (Graphicmama-team/Pixabay) small talk, your social media and Thompson shared a slide conhow you portray yourself and hantaining some points about what dle lunch meetings and interviews. professionalism really is and listed The appropriate behavior aspect five key parts of professionalism. can include handling alcohol at “Professionalism is the conduct, work events, responding to emails behavior and attitude of someone and handling RSVPs and cancellain a work or business environment,” tions. Factors like understanding she said. “It’s also how you carry the dress code, managing healthy yourself. It’s your attitude and the work relationships and the approway you communicate with others. priate use of technology, such as It’s your ability to show you can be being clear and concise with online trusted and taken seriously. It’s the communication. inherent ability to do what is right Thompson shared some profesand what is expected of you, usualsionalism tips to follow including: ly when no one is watching, and to honoring the commitments you
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make, being attentive, responsive and proactive, and getting to know and respect the workplace culture. She also discussed how professionals should keep their personal matters to a minimum and avoid the negative side of workplace politics like gossip or making a coworker look incompetent. The last professional tip was about communicating effectively, which involves not only what you say but how you say it, and to never put anything in writing that you would not say to someone in person. She even shared a fun clip from “The Office” as an example of how coming to work sick is not only disrespectful to your coworkers, but it can make you look unprofessional as well. Thompson highlighted some aspects of the professional dress code and asked the audience about their opinions on obligations to be social with colleagues outside of work and whether or not it is appropriate to add coworkers or your boss to your social networking sites. She brought her presentation to a close by introducing Lorrin Rishell, a representative from CNB bank. Rishell spoke briefly about the company and all of the job opportunities they have available across the tristate area. IUP’s CPDC is working remotely due to COVID-19. You could email them at career-development@iup. edu or call them at (724) 357-2235.
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