The aim of college is to adequately prepare yourself for your future–your career, your goals and your life. A common denominator in all facets of your future is professionalism

1. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3
PROFESSIONALISM
HOW TO BUILD AND MAINTAIN
IN COLLEGE

2. LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3
OVERVIEW
A BRIEF
Receive criticism gracefully
Be honest
Keep promises
Be assertive
Dress for success
Learn etiquette
PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE

3. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
BACKGROUND
A QUICK
Professionalism is a skill that must be practiced in order to excel in
your career. For many young adults, professionalism is something
they have yet to master, unless they were proactive during college
and honed this skill before graduation. Most people learn through
trial and error as they begin their careers, but you can get ahead of
the game with some valuable tips and ideas about professionalism
that many other young adults do not know.
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3

4. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
CRITICISM
RECEIVING
When you’re starting out in your
career, there are some tasks you
won’t do perfectly. Co-workers and
managers will likely criticize your
work. Most of the time, they’re trying
to help you, so learn to take their
advice with humility and grace. Do
not get upset, but think carefully
about where you can improve.
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3

5. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
HONESTY
THE IMPORTANCE OF "HONESTY IS
THE FIRST
CHAPTER IN
THE BOOK OF
WISDOM."
–Thomas Jefferson
When you were younger, it was easy to get
away with fudging the truth. You could skip
class and claim you were sick or tell your
parents you were studying, when in reality you
spent almost all night partying. While a fib may
seem harmless at work, never do it. Lying has a
way of catching up with you and in the
professional world, it can ruin your entire
career.
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3

6. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
YOUR WORD
KEEPING
Much like being honest, people will value you
more if you show them you follow through
when you give your word. If you promise to
work on a project, then do it. If you tell your
manager you can make the early meeting, be
there. Don’t say yes to something you know
you won’t actually do. The only time you can
shirk these promises is when an actual
emergency arises, like your car breaks down
on the way to work or you’re seriously ill.
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3

7. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
ASSERTIVE
BEING
“THE DIFFERENCE
BETWEEN SUCCESSFUL
PEOPLE AND REALLY
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
IS THAT REALLY
SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE
SAY NO TO ALMOST
EVERYTHING.”
–Warren Buffett
If you want to advance professionally, you need
to stand your ground. Learn how to ask for a
raise and don’t be afraid to ask for more
opportunities to learn and grow. Put your ideas
forward during meetings and ask questions if
you aren’t sure about a task or a company
policy. Likewise, don't be afraid to say "no"
when the situation calls for it.
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3

8. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
ETIQUETTE
PROPER BUSINESS
Do yourself a favor and buy one of those books that covers basic etiquette.
Nothing can be more mortifying than going to an office dinner (especially with
clients) and realizing you have no idea what you’re supposed to do with the
forks. Know how to send a professional email and whether or not a behavior
is appropriate for work. A lot of it will likely be common sense, but many
people don’t realize the intricacies of etiquette.
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3

9. PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
THANKS
PROFESSIONALISM IN COLLEGE
LIONEL BARZON III | LIONELBARZON.COM | TWITTER.COM/LIONEL_BARZON_3