Professionalism and Career Networking

							Professionalism and
Career Networking

             Authors:
         Susan S. Stratton
        Leading Edge Mentoring
        Dorothy I. Mitstifer
          Kappa Omicron Nu
 Characteristics of a Profession

            Value Orientation to Service
              for the Welfare of Society




Abstract Knowledge Used,   Autonomy in Decision-Making
 Adaptably & Skillfully,                &
  In the Area of Service     Action Relative to Service
Six Characteristics of
Professional Style

                      Ethical


         Altruistic             Responsible


 Theoretical          Committed               Intellectual


               Competence is a Given!
Ethical Style
   Deals honestly with             Does not misrepresent
    others                           personal qualifications.
   Maintains confidentiality       Faces self honestly.
    regarding professional
    matters.
   Recognizes professional
    biases and bases attitude
    and action upon a sound
    rationale.
   Believes that others
    recognize the stature of a
    professional.
Altruistic Style
   Behaves unselfishly          Shows positive
   Devotes practice to the       attitude toward
    interests of others.          co-workers, children,
   Demonstrates motives          adults, and community
    for professional              members.
    practice that are NOT
    selfish
   Shows respect for
    others.
                                        True North
Responsible Style
   Promises only what can            Thinks before reacting.
    be delivered.                      •   Foresees possible outcomes of
    •   Follows through on                 professional actions.
        commitments.                   •   Makes decisions based on
    •   Delivers on time.                  possibilities.
    •   Says “no” without guilt.       •   Considers the best interest of
    •   Is accountable for own             the client.
        actions.                      Evaluates his/her professional
   Supports the basic tenets          practice.
    of the profession.                 •   Confronts discrepancies
    •   Develops a philosophy              between intentions and actions.
        and sound rationale for        •   Assesses own contribution
        professional practice.             realistically.
Theoretical Style
 Practices critical thinking.
 Contributes to knowledge base.
 Shows appreciation for
  scholarship, research and theory.
 Presents the theoretical foundation of ideas
  and actions.
 Evaluates own professional practice in light
  of new conditions and knowledge.
Committed Style
 Spends time beyond the call of duty.
 Belongs to and takes an active part in
  professional organizations.
 Identifies with the profession both when it
  is praised and criticized.
 Articulates the profession’s
  philosophy and practice
  to the public.
Intellectual Style

   Reads current journals.
    •   Keep abreast of technical
        advances.
    •   Reads about own and related
        professions and specialties.


   Interacts with colleagues              Strives toward self-
    to gain new perspectives.               improvement.
    •   Participates in conferences.        •   Develops
    •   Enrolls in courses regularly.           performance skills.
Achieving Professionalism
 Exhibit the three characteristics of a profession.
 Participate in a unified professional membership.
   •   A professional will pay dues out of their own pocket to
       organizations for the privilege of being a practicing
       professional.
   •   A professional organization is the cooperative agency
       through which the profession is advanced.
 Identify and eliminate anti-professional
  developments
   •   Political activism and increased visibility as
       professionals will be required to create and
       sustain positive professional advancement.
Stages of Development
of a Professional
Pre-Professional


                    Applier



                              Analyst
Meszaros & Braun, 1980                  Integrator
 Reflection & Action Planning
 What have I learned that I can put to immediate
    use?
   What do I want to do in the future to improve my
    professional style?
    •   Notice your own actions and those of others that exhibit that
        element of, or lack of, professionalism.
    •   Carefully evaluate your own actions and how they relate to your
        internal beliefs and assumptions.
    •   Challenge whether the belief or assumption is valid.
    •   Create an action plan to work on bringing more coherence between
        actions and beliefs, creating greater integrity and authenticity.
    Optional Follow-up Activity
   Make an appointment with a professional to learn
    more about the career you seek.
     •   What are the satisfactions you derive from your practice?
     •   How have you sought to increase your effectiveness as a professional?
     •   Can you describe an ethical problem that you have faced? How have you
         dealt with it?
     •   What advice do you have for me to ensure my development as a
         professional?
   Share your findings at a follow-up chapter
    meeting.
     •   Share the responses to the interview questions.
     •   What was the most important thing you learned?
     •   As a group, summarize the feedback and write an article for the
         Kappa Omicron Nu Chapter Newsletter.