Learning Journal - Oct 28

Learning Journal: What does it mean to be a professional? Are students in training to be professionals?

Defination according to Wikipedia: A professional is a person in a profession that requires certain types of skilled work requiring formal training or education.

I believe the biggest aspect about a person level of professionalism is about attitude. A person can have all the training and education, but with the proper attitude - they are not professionals. I think that this lacks highly in my community, where the code of conduct is over looked. There seems to be too much water cooler talk happening in our work areas, and this degrades our level of professionalism that we should have towards work and towards our clients (the community members).

I think most of the business courses, whether its at the College level or at the University level are preparing students to play up to the professional level. I am very impressed, especially at the NBCC Business Degree Program. My daughter is currently enrolled at NBCC, and the level of expectancy is high, her appearance is expected to bring a level of business professional with her to all the classes. Not all education programs impress upon the students the same level of business/professional expectancies.