TO WHAT is inherent for an individual is not so much manifested in a workplace in the millennial generation. This is based from a personal observation having been exposed in the academe and the corporate world.
A number of questions are being challenged: Do schools lack qualified teachers to educate students to equip them with values and prepare them for the corporate world? Do students have venue for exposures? Is values appreciation being incorporated as a teaching tool? Does the corporate world have basic foundation to start with? How often do they renew their corporate governance?
Professionalism in many senses can be associated with a number of traits –integrity, respectfulness, accountability, loyalty, obedience and what not. However, one way or another, these traits are being violated or not observed in the corporate set-up.
Professionalism begins in schools
Professionalism begins in school where character, conduct, comfort, communication, and commitment can be honed with the knowledge and exposure we get vis-a-vis from what we initially learned from our homes. Furthermore, schools are considered to be our second home where we normally spend most of our basic formative years. For an average of at least seventeen (17) years, an individual is boxed in the confines of the four (4) walls of the classroom with the hope that when one has graduated, he is equipped with the knowledge, built his character and competent enough to face the challenges of the real world.
Words from John Wooden, he said “be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” This statement is very true. Character is not built in an instant, time and circumstances reveal it. Oftentimes, it is tested when pushed to its limits.
In my younger years, during my primary or secondary school (...not long time ago), I have my own peers or group of friends where I normally create a circle.
Primarily, we choose our peers because we share the same interests – root for the same NBA team, talk non-stop on the movie you just watched on IMAX or share the same passion for food.
Fight and challenges are sure not be discounted, as there were many of them in school. Unknowingly over the years though, the bond has grown deeper and we are able to influence, argue and complement each other. Truly, a major factor of one’s character is the kind of people around him or her while growing up.
I can clearly remember, we had a specific subject then dubbed as Good Manners and Right Conduct or GMRC from first to sixth grade. By high school, it was backed up by homeroom activities and Christian values education having been enrolled in a sectarian and Catholic school. Upon inquiry with friends, teaching in primary schools, I guess it is unfortunate that the “GMRC” subject was already dissolved and students are just being evaluated with their conduct based on the behavior they profess in school.
In school, teachers have various group activities that promote camaraderie and relationship-building among classmates. These activities will manifest comfort among classmates especially when challenged with throwing of ideas, physical exercises, among others. With these group activities, each member portrays different roles, one stands out as a leader, an antagonist, a get-along guy, or simply a follower about the situation. Hence, there is a higher probability that attitude created in these activities may arise in a workplace among colleagues, clients and even superiors.
Also in school, the art of communicating effectively is taught. The basics of English language is introduced even from the first grade. The correct use of words and the construction of sentences are repeatedly taught each year. Even where punctuation should be placed are given emphasis because this can greatly affect how we deliver the message. The fatal comma saves life and is one of the most commonly mistaken statements – “Come let’s eat grandma” versus “Come let’s eat, grandma” is a concrete example that even commas or any critical element in communication creates impact of the message.
The last part is commitment. As found in Google, it is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc. Commitment, even at early age can be practiced and inculcated through strict implementation of deliverables, participation of extra-curricular or academic activities, and even sharing of responsibilities at home or school. The real test of commitment comes with accountability and how it can display competence.
A school is a place to learn and grow. For an individual to be branded as “professional,” an appreciation of school’s learning and qualified experiences are desirable. A combination of both knowledge and exposure contributes how an individual performs a task, with passion and a degree of ethics.