1. Professional Expectations in the Workplace

2. Why?
“Most managers and executives I have interviewed complain that new hires just don't understand what it takes to successfully enter a new organization.” Ed Holton, Job Choices

3. Topics Adjustment Expectations Rules of the Road
Keys to Professionalism
Had little information before accepting employment

4. Expectations PEOPLE ENVIRONMENT SCHOOL WORK Structure
Flexible Schedules
Theoretical Approach
Knowledge Oriented
Short Cycles
Ambiguity
Rigid Schedules
Practical Approach
Profit/Service Oriented
Long Cycles
PROFESSOR/PEERS
SUPERVISOR/COLLEAGUES
Professor v.
Supervisor
Frequent Feedback
Assignments
Exams
One professor per class
Sporadic Feedback
Goals
Performance Evaluation
Multiple supervisors and/or
constituents
Peers
Colleagues
Individual Effort
Optional relationships
Informal
Casual Hierarchy
Team Effort
Mandated relationships
Formal
Prescribed Hierarchy
ENVIRONMENT
PEOPLE

5. Read Employee Handbook
Rules of the Road
Policies & Procedures
Read Employee Handbook
Job Description
Organizational Chart
Probationary Period
Attendance & Accountability
Health/Life Insurance
Pay/Tax/Retirement
Dress Code
Annual Performance Review
Disciplinary Actions
Process to handle HR issues
Employee Assistance Programs
Social Networking Limits

6. Rules of the Road Unwritten & Unspoken Rules Look, Learn and Listen
Intrapersonal Management
Interpersonal Management
Static or versatile role
Formalities (towards supervisors and colleagues)
Calendar management
Communication style
Impression/Brand management
Evaluate and understand chain of command
Company time v. personal time
Mentoring/Network
Multi-generational and multi-cultural dynamics
Intrapersonal = Existing or occurring within the individual self or mind. How you manage your self.
Interpersonal = Existing or occurring between persons. How you manage your relationship with others.
Intrapersonal = within the person. Interpersonal = between or among persons Intra means "within, contained by", e.g. intramural = within the wall, so intramural sports are competitions inside the same school, while inter means "between, among" so intermural sports are between or among schools.
Static or versatile role = Tolerance for individual initiative, change & risk

7. New Professional in Action
Joe Smith, a recent graduate from UCF, is beginning his new job as a Operations Assistant at the xyz Company. Today is his first day! What advice do you have for Joe?
Joe has completed his 3 month probationary period. What suggestions do you have for him?

8. Why?
“Research suggests that how you approach your first year will have a major impact on your future salary, advancement, job satisfaction, and ability to move within the organization as well as on your own feelings of success and commitment to the job.” Job Choices, The Critical First Year on the Job

9. Professionalism Do Don’t Choose to be a professional
Accept responsibility
Work when you are at work
Be accountable for your roles and responsibilities
Be on time
Use effective communication with all
Learn & use good manners
Find a good role model to follow
Act in a professional manner at all times
Be a willing team player
Admit your mistakes and learn from them
Dress sloppily, poorly, provocatively or immaturely
Spend a lot of time on personal matters
Discuss confidential information
Gossip or spread rumors
Avoid or shirk responsibilities
Blame others or seek excuses
Say or do anything that could offend others
Use foul language
Hide from your mistakes
Wait for some dream job before you start being a professional

10. Professionalism Do Don’t Be generous, kind and fair Do your part
Lead when you should lead; Follow when you should follow
Be a self-starter
Protect your integrity
Be forthright and direct
Maintain a positive attitude
Pay attention to the details
Develop good work habits
Apologize when you have offended someone
Operate with complete honesty
Be Trustworthy
Fail to record & track your progress
Assume that someone else will take care of you
Nag, complain, or be discouraging
Lose your temper; Hold a grudge
Get defensive or argumentative
Be afraid to stretch & grow
Play practical jokes
Underestimate the importance of your integrity
Steal, even a small amount
Lie, even a little
Be deceptive or misleading
Expect it to be easy