Many grads ill-prepared for professionalism in real world
Graduates lack work ethic and more on the job.
Mikayla Moffet
Issue date: 1/26/10 Section: News
She said that feedback from employers and internship directors indicate that some of the problems lie again in grammar and typos, but also in not emphasizing what is important.
"It's about really highlighting what you learned and how you developed [your skills]," Kavan said.
Ingli said that reverse chronological order is a must on a resume, and that many applicants don't realize the importance of getting their most current experience first.
Other important aspects of professionalism include appropriate dress, respectfulness, and preparedness, Ingli, Ostman and Kavan all agreed.
Ingli said that in order to deal with some of these issues, the law school is implementing a course for first-year students, beginning Fall 2010, titled "Practice, Problem-Solving, and Professionalism" in order to bolster the professional experiences and expectations of law students.
"I think that we're trying to do a better job of teaching these skills-interacting with others and networking," Ingli said.
This certainly includes professional dress and being able to communicate properly with those in the workplace.
"Always err on the side of more formal and more professional than you need to be-it's always better to overcompensate," Kavan said.
Ostman also made a point of how important appearance was to future employers or admission councils.
"Dress the part," she said. "That doesn't mean you need a three-piece suit or hose-just dress appropriately."
And most importantly, come prepared.
"Do your research on the institution you're looking at…so you can go in and ask intelligent questions," Ingli said.
The CDC has been implementing programs to help current Hamline students with problems just like these, but many students don't partake in their programming, which ranges from practice interviews to Bridges Scholars. Sophomore Jack Spirou, one of such students, said he thought that Hamline's focus was on informality and personal growth, rather than professionalism.
"Because Hamline's so small, it allows us to be informal," Spirou said. "I think the sense of informality helps students feel more comfortable…with themselves and with who they are."
At the same time, Spirou said that being able to present yourself properly was crucial.
"You need to…know who you are but at the same time, you need to know that set of skills to go out into the world and be successful," Spirou said.
Kavan also said that internships and other professional experiences were critical for students and helped prepare them for their future careers.
Having these professional experiences, or going through a graduate or law program does make a difference, Ingli said.
"I think that people end up with more confidence in themselves and that's why it's such a growth process," she said.
"It's about really highlighting what you learned and how you developed [your skills]," Kavan said.
Ingli said that reverse chronological order is a must on a resume, and that many applicants don't realize the importance of getting their most current experience first.
Other important aspects of professionalism include appropriate dress, respectfulness, and preparedness, Ingli, Ostman and Kavan all agreed.
Ingli said that in order to deal with some of these issues, the law school is implementing a course for first-year students, beginning Fall 2010, titled "Practice, Problem-Solving, and Professionalism" in order to bolster the professional experiences and expectations of law students.
"I think that we're trying to do a better job of teaching these skills-interacting with others and networking," Ingli said.
This certainly includes professional dress and being able to communicate properly with those in the workplace.
"Always err on the side of more formal and more professional than you need to be-it's always better to overcompensate," Kavan said.
Ostman also made a point of how important appearance was to future employers or admission councils.
"Dress the part," she said. "That doesn't mean you need a three-piece suit or hose-just dress appropriately."
And most importantly, come prepared.
"Do your research on the institution you're looking at…so you can go in and ask intelligent questions," Ingli said.
The CDC has been implementing programs to help current Hamline students with problems just like these, but many students don't partake in their programming, which ranges from practice interviews to Bridges Scholars. Sophomore Jack Spirou, one of such students, said he thought that Hamline's focus was on informality and personal growth, rather than professionalism.
"Because Hamline's so small, it allows us to be informal," Spirou said. "I think the sense of informality helps students feel more comfortable…with themselves and with who they are."
At the same time, Spirou said that being able to present yourself properly was crucial.
"You need to…know who you are but at the same time, you need to know that set of skills to go out into the world and be successful," Spirou said.
Kavan also said that internships and other professional experiences were critical for students and helped prepare them for their future careers.
Having these professional experiences, or going through a graduate or law program does make a difference, Ingli said.
"I think that people end up with more confidence in themselves and that's why it's such a growth process," she said.
Be the first to comment on this story