Professionalism 101: Mastering The Art of Etiquette and Communication in a Professional Setting
Stacie Wickham
Executive Administrative Assistant, Academic Affairs
As students and parents engage with colleges through campus tours and discussions with offices such as financial aid and career development, the skill of professionalism can prove invaluable. For numerous students, this marks their initial experience advocating for their own needs outside the high school setting as they interact with a professional office.
As the saying goes, "You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Your initial interactions with colleagues, superiors, and clients are vital in shaping their perceptions of you. Make a conscious effort to dress appropriately, maintain good posture, and offer a firm handshake when meeting someone new. A genuine smile and positive body language can go a long way in establishing rapport and trust. Whether you are embarking on the college decision process or commencing your first day in college, mastering the art of professionalism is essential.
Politeness and Respect
Treat everyone you interact with courtesy and respect, regardless of their position or role. You’re not always going to get the answer you want from your question or the information needed to move on to the next step. The person providing the information, whether it’s a professor or staff member, is not out to get you, but it’s sometimes hard to remember that in the moment. Everyone on a college campus is there to help you, it’s part of our job!
Occasionally, it's necessary to pause and process information, particularly when it doesn't align with your expectations. At Capital, we're committed to assisting you, recognizing that receiving unwelcome news isn't enjoyable – after all, we're humans too! When both parties approach the conversation with respect, the discussion can continue. Being kind and gracious can go a long way in fostering a positive interaction.
For example, if you’re working with an academic advisor and notice that you’re behind on course credits, your academic advisor is there to help you get back on track to make sure that you graduate on time. It may seem like the end of the world at the time, but most things are fixable.
Communication Clarity
Written communication, especially emails, holds considerable importance in professional environments, including on college campuses. Whether it involves the Office of Financial Aid communicating a scholarship opportunity, the Office of Admissions providing details about an upcoming orientation date, a professor addressing a lecture question, or a change in location for a student organization meeting, each email should be carefully read and promptly responded to. When someone takes the effort to send you an email, it typically contains important information that requires your attention.
Ensure your emails are well-structured, free from grammatical errors, and the recipient’s name is spelled correctly.I can’t tell you how many times I’ve received an email addressed to Provost Wickham or Professor Wickham. Although flattering, it just takes a minute of your time to confirm someone’s title, and that extra level of consideration can really make a difference and address them correctly and/or appropriately.
Throughout the day, it's essential to adapt your language based on the context. For instance, the way you communicate with a staff member at the Office of Financial Aid should differ from how you speak to your roommate on a Friday night.
Cultivate a Wardrobe That Feels Like You
At Capital, I think we have some pretty cool dressing students. I know I wasn’t doing all that when I was in undergrad. As students extend beyond their usual role, they might need to adopt a dress code different from their everyday style. For instance, if a high school student is visiting campus for a scholarship competition, it's advisable to dress in a business casual manner. If uncertain about the expected dress code, it's ok to ask for clarification.
Your wardrobe is not just a collection of clothes; it is an expression of your personality, style, and confidence. Building a wardrobe that truly reflects who you are can boost your self-esteem, simplify your daily routine, and make getting dressed an enjoyable experience.
Knowing what is appropriate for certain situations is important, and including a few key options in your wardrobe can take the guessing stress out of it when dressing for your day!