"The Devil is in the Details" - workplace professionalism

It has been said that "the devil is often in the details." Knowing what to expect on the job may sound simple, but there are many details which make up general professionalism.

For the second internship discussion topic this summer, I thought it would be both interesting and helpful to talk about these basic workplace professional skills, especially those which are expected in your specific workplace.

Some skills are pretty much expected “across the board,” such as professional courtesy, being on time, using standard grammar, etc. However, there are other professional skills which are industry-specific, some of which you may not have anticipated at your workplace.

For the benefit of your own personal reflection on the topic - and the shared benefit of raising awareness among your fellow interns - please share with us some of the skills you have observed among your coworkers…those which surprised you…those which you “thought” you already knew…or those which you anticipated.

A few terms to get you started - clothes (including shoes) - cell phone use - slang - protocol (such as the steps required to make a purchase or decision) - initiative - positive/vs./negative speech - office organization - food at work -  Here is an excerpt from a recent journal which touches with just one minor topic of workplace etiquette…I am sure all of you can come up with many more!

“One of the hardest things I had to deal with was the transition of people’s names. I still struggle with it in writing my journals. I wasn’t ever sure of the appropriate protocol to use in addressing people. Should I just call them by their first name or Mr. “Jones”, or Mr. “Dan.”  I interchanged each one of these, but I rested on Mr. “Dan.” I feel like this is a challenge that lots of young people entering a work environment face. Especially in the south when we are taught from a very young age the subtle art of manners and politeness. Understandably this isn’t a huge workplace issue, but it could be a source of stress to some. And when you add that to a separate stressful environment it could get touchy. I think a class or a seminar on workplace etiquette before the internship begins would be really beneficial.”

(Feel free to use pseudonyms if you are giving personal examples, and as always, if you have challenges which are not appropriate for a public conversation.)

If you have photos of yourself at your internship, these would be a great addition to our blog! Just email me a copy at careerservices@presby.edu,  and I'll add them.

Getting started - the workplace environment

 There are many factors which make up the workplace environment - number of employees, nature of business (i.e. retail, vs. research), facility size/style, etc. Then there are the interpersonal factors which add to the physical and economic components - leadership style, team style, pace of work, and more.

Keep in mind that this is a public forum, please share a little about the workplace environment in your internship location and tell us a little about what you particularly like about your workplace. If appropriate, include leadership style, team communication, size of business, and pace of work.

What challenges do you find for yourself in your current environment? (i.e. - it is a fast-paced environment and you like to weigh your options - or it is a formal atmosphere and you have concerns about being too casual at times) How will any challenges offer you an opportunity to grow professionally?

Again, remember that this is not a private forum, so please do not use names or post anything which might reflect negatively on your employer or yourself. (Challenges may be phrased in ways that avoid this - but if there are any problems you need addressed, contact me by email at ldownie@presby.edu.)