Communicate
Communication is the ability to deliver and receive a message clearly with regards to the context of the situation.
Awareness
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Clear
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Respectful
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Engaging
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Professionalism Presentations:
Student Leaders of Tomorrow Conference and Reads & Counts Professional Development Event
During my college career, I have had some opportunities outside of the classroom to speak at retreats, leadership conferences, information sessions, and professional development events about my different passions and interests. I've covered various topics, but particularly leadership, faith, and financial stewardship.
During my sophomore year, I was asked to speak at the Memorial Student Center's Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow annual SLOT Conference (Student Leaders of Tomorrow), a weekend for juniors and seniors in high school spent at Texas A&M University growing in leadership and learning how that can be continued through your college career. The committee in charge of planning the event asked me to give a breakout session on 'Professionalism' and I happily said yes.
During the fall semester of my junior year, Reads & Counts (my work study job) was looking to have members give professional development presentations, and so I volunteered to give a presentation about professionalism. I used the same presentation from the SLOT Conference, but developed it more towards my fellow tutors and how we could exhibit professionalism in our job.
During my sophomore year, I was asked to speak at the Memorial Student Center's Aggie Leaders of Tomorrow annual SLOT Conference (Student Leaders of Tomorrow), a weekend for juniors and seniors in high school spent at Texas A&M University growing in leadership and learning how that can be continued through your college career. The committee in charge of planning the event asked me to give a breakout session on 'Professionalism' and I happily said yes.
During the fall semester of my junior year, Reads & Counts (my work study job) was looking to have members give professional development presentations, and so I volunteered to give a presentation about professionalism. I used the same presentation from the SLOT Conference, but developed it more towards my fellow tutors and how we could exhibit professionalism in our job.
SLOT Professionalism PresentationThis is the initial 'Professionalism' presentation I created.
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Reads & Counts Professionalism PresentationThis is the updated and modified 'Professionalism' presentation.
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When I was first asked to give a presentation for high school juniors and seniors, I was honored that the freshmen that I mentored in ALOT wanted me to represent them and speak to our conference attendees. I myself had many experiences where someone had explained to me what being professional meant, so I wanted to make sure that I was able to encompass important lessons that I had learned both formally and informally.
I instantly began brainstorming about how I could be engaging and give the high school students something to take away from my presentation. I have learned there are many times when you have to be professional - in interviews, in your resume, in meetings - but I wanted them to realize that being professional should be a lifestyle. I asked attendees that if their essence and personality were to be bottled up, what would people say about it? After we had this discussion, I explained to them that they leave a trail of this essence wherever they are, whatever they do. I have a personal motto and that is "everything I say, think, or do I sign my name to." I gave each of the attendees a piece of paper and had them write their signature with their non-dominant hand. We talked about if we liked that signature, if it looked good, or if it was something we were proud of. The answers were "no" across the board. I explained to them that our signature looks that way when we are unprofessional - when we perform jobs and duties sloppily, when we act without integrity, when we dress inappropriately. I helped them brainstorm things that were unprofessional, and showed them why we should not act in that manner. Then we reflected on our signature with our dominant hand, how it made us feel, and how we were able to "sign our signature" with pride and professionally in our daily lives: giving our neatest and best effort on projects and assignments, speaking with proper and respectful language, dressing with dignity and care for ourselves, and other moments when we are expected to be professional. It was a great opportunity to share my wisdom and experiences with these high school students, and I felt that I was able to reflect my main message and inspire them to be professional in their daily lives in an effective way.
When my work study job was looking for ideas for professional development events, I volunteered to give a presentation for fellow tutors on professionalism. I had the presentation experience, but this was an opportunity to challenge myself to be relatable to a different audience. I used the presentation that I had already created, but I specifically focused on how professionalism could be exhibited in our program and created new visual aids to explain this to my peers. I was capable of delivering valuable information that was relevant for my fellow tutors that was not necessarily relevant for high school juniors and seniors, while also improving upon my previous presentation.
With my focus and drive to be creative and interactive with presentations, I have seen myself become more confident in sharing my knowledge. I am passionate and invested in the people who have chosen to share their time with me, whether it be big presentations, an email, or a phone call. I am honest and authentic and I give of myself when I invest my time sharing it with others.
I instantly began brainstorming about how I could be engaging and give the high school students something to take away from my presentation. I have learned there are many times when you have to be professional - in interviews, in your resume, in meetings - but I wanted them to realize that being professional should be a lifestyle. I asked attendees that if their essence and personality were to be bottled up, what would people say about it? After we had this discussion, I explained to them that they leave a trail of this essence wherever they are, whatever they do. I have a personal motto and that is "everything I say, think, or do I sign my name to." I gave each of the attendees a piece of paper and had them write their signature with their non-dominant hand. We talked about if we liked that signature, if it looked good, or if it was something we were proud of. The answers were "no" across the board. I explained to them that our signature looks that way when we are unprofessional - when we perform jobs and duties sloppily, when we act without integrity, when we dress inappropriately. I helped them brainstorm things that were unprofessional, and showed them why we should not act in that manner. Then we reflected on our signature with our dominant hand, how it made us feel, and how we were able to "sign our signature" with pride and professionally in our daily lives: giving our neatest and best effort on projects and assignments, speaking with proper and respectful language, dressing with dignity and care for ourselves, and other moments when we are expected to be professional. It was a great opportunity to share my wisdom and experiences with these high school students, and I felt that I was able to reflect my main message and inspire them to be professional in their daily lives in an effective way.
When my work study job was looking for ideas for professional development events, I volunteered to give a presentation for fellow tutors on professionalism. I had the presentation experience, but this was an opportunity to challenge myself to be relatable to a different audience. I used the presentation that I had already created, but I specifically focused on how professionalism could be exhibited in our program and created new visual aids to explain this to my peers. I was capable of delivering valuable information that was relevant for my fellow tutors that was not necessarily relevant for high school juniors and seniors, while also improving upon my previous presentation.
With my focus and drive to be creative and interactive with presentations, I have seen myself become more confident in sharing my knowledge. I am passionate and invested in the people who have chosen to share their time with me, whether it be big presentations, an email, or a phone call. I am honest and authentic and I give of myself when I invest my time sharing it with others.