Research guides: Student Learning Success Guides!: Pro-Tips for Career Success

PRO-TIPS FOR CAREER SUCCESS will make your transition from school to the work force easier. If you use your time at Camosun to consciously develop the habits and skills of professional behaviour, both your academic and work life will benefit. Using self-control in difficult situations and demonstrating positive interpersonal skills are highly valued qualities in every trade and profession.

TIPS

Practice being respectful with every person you encounter: shop clerks, restaurant servers, students, instructors, roommates, and parents.

Use classroom activities to build soft skills like listening and teamwork.

Spend some time with the Employment Standards Act to learn your rights as an employee.

Start thinking of an 'exit plan' while you are in school and make use of Camosun's career counseling services.

SELF-REFLECTION

How well do you manage your own behaviour?

What message does your in-class behaviour send about how you'd behave in a workplace?

What would change if you approached a difficult academic or personal situation with a mindset of professionalism and respect?

How would your classmates or instructors describe you to a potential employer?

Pro-Tips for Career Success Printable Document

Professionalism

Treat your classes and assignments as if they were a career. This helps you develop a professional demeanour, sends a good message to instructors, and might even improve your grades.

Arrive on time. Let your instructor know why you missed class or if you're going to show up more than fifteen minutes late.
Be reliable. Follow through on your commitments and make sure you meet project deadlines.
Arrive prepared. Dress appropriately. Be well rested and ready to fulfill the requirements of your course.
Nurture a positive environment. Eye-contact, friendly smiles, and politeness will help make work simpler and more pleasant.
Take ownership of tasks. Ask questions to clarify your responsibilities, admit mistakes, and provide a solution.

Respect

It can be difficult to always treat others with respect, especially if you are tired and they are making your life harder, so try to begin developing the habit as soon as possible.

Respect yourself. Be honest, work-focused, confident, and credible. Stand up for yourself.
Respect your coworkers. Don’t take colleagues for granted. Never take credit for someone else’s work. Admit to misunderstandings. Follow through on projects and make sure you fulfill your team commitments. Be friendly and kind.
Respect your customers, clients, and patients. Be polite. Learn to keep cool when others get angry or upset. Don’t take things personally. Learn to be diplomatic with people who try to aggravate you.
Assume best intent. People at work or school have no reason to actively undermine your well-being. Even when people seem gruff or short with you, try to get inside their head to see what their priorities are and how they might be trying to help.

Attitude

Cultivate the attitude of an efficient worker and a life-long learner.

Be positive and proactive--try to do as much as possible without being told.
Show interest in what others are doing.
If you make a mistake, formulate a procedure so that you can avoid making it again in the future and run it by your supervisor.
If you’re confused about something, ask questions.
If you're bored, ask for something to do.

TOOLS & RESOURCES

Camosun Resources