One should be Professional, Ain't you??

One should be Professional; Ain’t you??

By Faisal Anwar Siddique

Opening my eyes to see the clock, I got up right on time from a sound sleep. No more snoozes were required. I got up, brushed my teeth, took a bath, and reached University on time for the viva. My friends wearing T-shirts, Jeans, and jogging shoes, welcomed me. Seeing me, with ironed dress, shiny black belt and polished shoes, they inquired, “Going to attend a wedding tonight?” I answered ‘no’ and smirked.

Admittedly, it is not easy to appear professionals. Several professionals in an attempt to appear ‘severely’ formal usually land up badly messing things up!

For example when Nixon remarked mournfully, "This...", in attempt to say how significantly sad day it was, during his  visit to Paris on the occasion of the French President Pompidou’s funeral, he left half of the crowd rolling on ground with laughter when he said, "... is a great day for France."  Or when the American ambassador to the UN urged the Jews & Arabs in 1948 to sit down and settle their differences "like good Christians….!" And during my last internship at a well established petroleum corporate, I heard a professional ask his colleague during a personal discussion, “How is your wife?” Then suddenly realizing that she had already passed away, the poor guy blurted “I mean, still in the same graveyard??”

So the harder people try to appear professional, the more they land up saying the wrong thing, at wrong times. But since, we are neither Nixon nor an ambassador to UN, I guess we students should behave well, at least till the time we occupy some of these designations!

Everyone did great in viva, but as expected, we heard the external examiner complaining, “These students don’t look professional in appearance.” For the first time, I could see someone bearing the same idea that I have; Professionalism in Student life.

Hence on the serious note; let us see how & why students should appear professional. The most essential thing is that one should dress well to suit his or her profession and to create a positive sensation at the workplace. University students should not go with printed shirts and jeans, especially during presentation or viva days, which may tarnish their personalities. Dave Kahle is a sales training expert and a world-class speaker. He shared that executives and managers often sympathize to him saying, "I wish my people were more professional.” When you start introspecting yourself then one thing emerges which most people lack and some people lag- "PROFESSIONALISM". Which ever career you choose it is important that you develop professionalism. By professional it means one who is "worthy of the high standards of a profession."

The professional student concept is the alignment of body, mind, and action in taking possession and being practical in learning experience. The first step in becoming a professional student is to recognize that many skills and competencies are yet to be acquired and that you have the flexibility and adaptability to seek assistance to acquire a professional lifestyle.

The professionalism in a student’s life requires the three P’s learning plan- Preparation before class, Participation during class, and Practice after class. Moreover, switch your cell phone on silent mode as you enter the classroom; side conversations while faculty members are instructing distract those around you and impinge on their learning; respect those who are teaching, whether your professors or classmates giving presentations. Maintain an “Attitude of appreciation” to professional relationships and even to your close friends. “Thank you” seems to appear as only 2 words when said, but has great impact. This is a small token of appreciation for your helper, and it encourages him or her to help you again..

Professionals believe in staying up to date in their fields. This means that they are devoted towards acquiring continuous training and improvement. Professionals accept responsibilities. They feel a sense of possession and pride in everything they do. Professionals work, not just to meet the organization standards, but most notably to meet their own standards. They celebrate and enjoy their achievements, but after they've congratulated themselves for their outstanding performance, they then take a deep breath, and recommit to do even better next time.

Too many rules to be a professional? No, it’s not like that. Everyone has a professional within him or her. We just need to reveal whenever it is desired. I would like to quote here what Irvine Welsh once said: “What worries me is the professionalism of everything”. Only Irvine Welsh can answer whether he thinks professionalism is necessary in every work or is he afraid of everything to be done in a professional manner. I aint sure...what do you think??

                                                                                                                              WRITTEN BY: FAISAL ANWAR SIDDIQUE

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