Professionalism.

Nicole Perez

In class, we talk a lot about professionalism; how it looks on paper, appearances, and behavior. Professionalism is vital to success in any profession as it determines how seriously someone takes you. The way you act, sound, write, or look gives others an immediate impression. You only get one first impression, and if it does not go well, it is even harder to prove yourself. First impressions may affect your chances at getting the job or grant that you want.

So, what does professionalism look like? In class, Professor Trull told us to never to be late, as being late is a sign of unprofessionalism. We also talked about the appropriate clothing to wear in a business setting. Professionalism looks confident, energetic, and polite.

When it comes to writing, professionalism means writing unlike how you would talk. The other day in class, Professor Trull explained that writing professionally is a skill that can be masteredwith practice. One piece of advice she gave us to ensure that we sound professional is to take out any word that ends in -ly.

So instead of writing:

​I am really excited to be talking about this amazingly common topic.

write this:

​I am excited to be talking about this common topic.

Professionalism in your behavior means having your eyes on the other person. All your attention should be focused on the person to show you are listening and engaging. Do not look outside the window or take your phone out. Both of those behaviors can be viewed as disrespectful. It is important to remain attentive and interested especially when speaking with a client. It will represent your professionalism well and will make the client feel comfortable and important as they should.  

Simple fixes can be the difference between unprofessional and professional. The level of professionalism you present will affect potential jobs, grants received, and anything else you are seeking.