Real adults are adamant about teaching us Millennials what it means and how to be "professional"--After all, we do have a bad rep...
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| Uh, I think that last link says "professionalism-dead" |
It all seems to go in one ear and out the other... "Don't do ___, or else!"; "This is how you should ___."; "If you ___, you'll definitely be fired." These caveats can be disheartening and might make you want to do more yoga instead of doing your homework... OR act like this:
"Why do we have to be professional? Can't we just be ourselves? Be human? Aren't companies chiller than they used to be? Don't people wear jeans to work, play ping pong all day, and drink out of beer-fridges? Doesn't my Tufts degree give me the freedom to run rampantly through the job market (NQR-style), expressing my individuality?"
Well, friends and colleagues, I, Nirvanna Lildharrie, your Tufts Career Center Student Ambassador, am here to tell you, the answers to your questions are: No, not really...
Professionalism is important. And it doesn't mean that you have to be a slave to the system or a robot in an Armani suit...
(#productplacement #notreally #buttheyshouldpayus)
To be "professional" means: You have a purpose, are important, and are serious about what you do.
Being professional is good because:
1. It'll make you feel good about yourself and boost your confidence which will make you more likable (which are essential needs in all humans, says Social Psychology)!
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| Who knew avoiding social stigma could get you hired?! |
2. You'll have your work life organized and attract clients, increasing your success!
And 3. Making "professionalism" a part of your demeanor is super HOT to future employers!
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| #hiredjumbos |
I booked a gig at a Providence Bruins game as the Business Manager of Shir Appeal, and I was communicating with their Director of Ticket Sales throughout the whole process--roughly since November. His thick dialect always announced his first and last name and position over the phone--the media via which he insisted on communicating. Whenever he called, he always left a message letting me know what he was calling about. The entire time, I envisioned that I was speaking with a forty-something year old man-- And I took him so seriously: I was careful not to be late on deadlines, return all of his calls. I tried really hard to impress him because I wanted him to take me and my organization seriously. Then last weekend, I finally met the voice from our phone calls in person, and, surprise-surprise: He was our age! Literally graduated last year!
It was wonderful doing business with this man. His professionalism is really what made everything so easy. He took himself and his job seriously, which enabled me to do the same.
To Conclude:
In this fine age of the "hipster," it's difficult not to be ironic, even about yourself. But there is so much value in behaving like an adult. At Tufts, we are leaders among leaders, and it's easy to get lost in the mix. After we cross our graduation stage, it will really be our professionalism, our confidence in our competence, that will activate our leadership in the adult world.
In this fine age of the "hipster," it's difficult not to be ironic, even about yourself. But there is so much value in behaving like an adult. At Tufts, we are leaders among leaders, and it's easy to get lost in the mix. After we cross our graduation stage, it will really be our professionalism, our confidence in our competence, that will activate our leadership in the adult world.
Use your best discretion and build a unique version of professionalism for yourself.
How can you do this?
Stay tuned for my next article on Personal Branding!
How can you do this?
Stay tuned for my next article on Personal Branding!
Best regards,
Until next time,
Nirvanna
