What does "being professional" mean to you?

[Liberty Belle]

I was recently cc'd an email where someone was tellling someone else they'd enjoy working with me, that I was "extremely professional" and "clearly loved the kids." It was a great ego boost, but got me thinking. I don't think I would have described myself as "extremely professional."

And that got me thinking of what professional really means. So, I'm curious what you all think. What is professional behavior to you? If it makes a difference, this is in a public school setting and I am a para educator in special education.

 

[pearlieq]

In this context "extremely professional" would mean the following to me:

1.) Focused on your work. You aren't subtly checking your cell all the time time or chatting with the other school employees. Your time and attention are on your children and their needs. You turn in your paperwork on time and keep records up to date without needing lots of reminders.

2.) You dress and act in a manner suitable for a business environment. Your clothes, while not fancy since you work with kids, are neat and appropriate for the workplace. You are well groomed. You show up on time. You don't gossip, avoid cliques, are are friendly (or at least civil) to everyone.

3.) You don't mix personal things with business. You treat all children and parents equally no matter who you like and who you don't care for. You can work and communicate effectively with all of the other staff, even if you don't like them. You don't share all the intimate details of your private life with anyone who will listen.

 

[Liberty Belle]

In this context "extremely professional" would mean the following to me:

1.) Focused on your work. You aren't subtly checking your cell all the time time or chatting with the other school employees. Your time and attention are on your children and their needs. You turn in your paperwork on time and keep records up to date without needing lots of reminders.

2.) You dress and act in a manner suitable for a business environment. Your clothes, while not fancy since you work with kids, are neat and appropriate for the workplace. You are well groomed. You show up on time. You don't gossip, avoid cliques, are are friendly (or at least civil) to everyone.

3.) You don't mix personal things with business. You treat all children and parents equally no matter who you like and who you don't care for. You can work and communicate effectively with all of the other staff, even if you don't like them. You don't share all the intimate details of your private life with anyone who will listen.

Thank you! I guess I focus more on #2 when I think "professional." And, while I do dress appropriately, and stay groomed, I don't have a look that I'd necessarily consider "extremely professional." For instance, I rarely wear make up, my hair is usually in a pony tail and I wear knit tops/sweaters/casual tops and casual (khakis, etc) pants to work.

But, you're right on with numbers 1 and 3, though, which I never really considered. I guess I think of those as more of being responsible and, well, nice.

 

[KristaTX]

There are two definitions of professional to me. One you don't qualify for, and one you may qualify for.

You exhibit professionalism in your job if you perform the given tasks competently and treat your clients and coworkers ethically and respectfully. So in that instance, you could be called "extremely professional" or even "unprofessional". Anyone in any job could perform any aspect of it in a professional or unprofessional manner. It sounds like your coworker sees that you behave professionally .

However, I would not call you "a professional" since your job does not require at minimum a college degree such as is required by teachers, registered nurses, accountants, lawyers, engineers, architects, etc. Nor does your job require extensive and difficult training and skills that some careers do that might not even involve even an undergraduate degree (e.g. professional athletes, professional artists, professional musicians, some technological/technical careers). And with your job it is even called "para-educator" or "para-professional", which I think is how you are thinking of the term "professional".

A person in a job such as yours could very well behave much more professionally than someone in a highly-educated profession behaves (e.g. a doctor who does something unethical or irresponsible such as may have happened in the Michael Jackson case).

 

[Liberty Belle]

There are two definitions of professional to me. One you don't qualify for, and one you may qualify for.

You exhibit professionalism in your job if you perform the given tasks competently and treat your clients and coworkers ethically and respectfully. So in that instance, you could be called "extremely professional" or even "unprofessional". Anyone in any job could perform any aspect of it in a professional or unprofessional manner. It sounds like your coworker sees that you behave professionally .

However, I would not call you "a professional" since your job does not require at minimum a college degree such as is required by teachers, registered nurses, accountants, lawyers, engineers, architects, etc. Nor does your job require extensive and difficult training and skills that some careers do that might not even involve even an undergraduate degree (e.g. professional athletes, professional artists, professional musicians, some technological/technical careers). And with your job it is even called "para-educator" or "para-professional", which I think is how you are thinking of the term "professional".
A person in a job such as yours could very well behave much more professionally than someone in a highly-educated profession behaves (e.g. a doctor who does something unethical or irresponsible such as may have happened in the Michael Jackson case).

Hmm. Well, no, I would not consider myself "a professional," or my position "a professional position." I was speaking of professional behavior, which you spoke of in your first paragraph.

You're right, while the district I work in does require some college (I believe it's 60 hours), there are other places that require a bachelor's degree for the position. And, I'd guess that of all the paras I've known, more than half of them have a bachelor's degree, a few had a master's degree, and some even were certified teachers.

So, you've brought up another question in my mind. Is someone "a professional" based on their degrees or certifications, or on their position? I'd say almost everyone would consider certified teachers who work as paras to be professionals, but what about those who have a masters degree in, say, psychology? If they're working as a para educator, would they be considered a professional? From your comments, I guess you would not call them a professional (and maybe not even if they had a teaching certificate). I wonder how most people would think.

 

[emh1129]

Huge compliment. I think it means that you take your job very seriously; it's important to you and it shows.

And that's important, especially in your line of work. Paraprofessionals have huge responsibility and often don't get enough credit (or enough pay) for the job that they do!

I think most people use the word with this definition in mind- not necessarily implying degrees or other credentials.

 

[bumbershoot]

"What is professional behavior to you? If it makes a difference, this is in a public school setting and I am a para educator in special education."

I had an ex-boyfriend who had your job. He had the bare minimum for it, in our district. He was very very GOOD at the job, but was never considered professional by his colleagues (they barely considered him a colleague). He was fired, a bit after we lost contact, most likely b/c of the issues that were happening in the last year or two of his work.


He wore shorts or ratty jeans, almost always, to work. He generally wore button-up, short sleeved shirts, not tucked in. He had long long hair that he brushed once a day, and generally put a headband (yep, a headband) to keep the hair back, or a low ponytail. He was strangely vain about his hair, though it wasn't very attractive, any way he wore it.

In his off time, he was either drinking or smoking (and I'm not talking about tobacco) and he's the type that you can tell does that. NOw he shouldn't have been judged by his colleagues for that, as he was generally doing those things WITH other teachers in the district (one of them routinely "supplied" his big parties), but they manage to "hide" that side of their lives, but he's more the Seth Rogen type where even his voice tattles on him as to his extracurricular activities.


The kids LOVED him....all preschoolers in absolute awe of him. He helped them come out of their shells and was wonderful with them.

But he was not professional, along with being male in a female-dominated profession. When he would call in sick, people assumed he was hungover. When he was going through some emotional times, he was judged in a way they would not have judged a female. It all worked against him, and they let him go.


Sounds like you're the opposite of that, where even though you're casual, you are appropriately dressed, don't let your personal life come into your work life, etc etc.

 

[LuvBaloo]

peralieq summed it up better than I good.

That's definitely the highest compliment a co-worker can pay you.

As for your second question, personally I think that anything you are being paid to do means you are a professional. Isn't that the difference between amateur and professional sports? The pros get paid.
I do think sometimes too much emphasis is placed on the profession and/or education when judging a person. When it comes to the real world, a doctor can be just as horrible or intelligent a person as a janitor. (no offense meant to doctors or janitors).
I don't like it how surveys will often want to know education level; particularly in household good surveys; what difference does education level make to what kind of dishsoap and toilet paper I buy

 

[SundancePass]

Liberty Belle, my definition of "professional" is whatever another person percieves me to be. In other words, your perception is my reality.

However what I think of myself really doesn't matter when it comes to interaction with others. It's what THEY think that counts.

If I were you, I would take great comfort from the email. Please don't disect it to death. Relax and absorb the compliment. My daughter is a TAG teacher and believe me, in your setting compliments are few and far between.

Someone thinks you are extremely professional. Bask in that thought for a while. Let it bring you joy. Please don't worry about what it means. Accept the gift for what it is....a compliment.

 

[Cindy B]

There are two definitions of professional to me. One you don't qualify for, and one you may qualify for.

However, I would not call you "a professional" since your job does not require at minimum a college degree such as is required by teachers, registered nurses, accountants, lawyers, engineers, architects, etc. Nor does your job require extensive and difficult training and skills that some careers do that might not even involve even an undergraduate degree (e.g. professional athletes, professional artists, professional musicians, some technological/technical careers). And with your job it is even called "para-educator" or "para-professional", which I think is how you are thinking of the term "professional".

).

In my state a paraprofessional (or teacher's aide) is required to have at least an associates degree while most districts are requiring either a bacehelor degree. Some districts go even further and require a teaching certfiicate for paraprofessionals. The reasons that some districts are asking for certification vary such as 1) more teaching applicants than actual teaching jobs so a good stepping stone for a new grad is a paraprofessional positions a 2) more districts can hire a certified teacher at a lower rate and phase them right into an immediate sub opening if the need arises.

Some districts around here are paying around 28-32K for paraprofessionals and about 46-52 for teachers.

 

[KristaTX]

Cindy B - I think things must be quite different in whatever state you are in than in Texas. I worked in the schools as an RN for years, and while some paraprofessionals (e.g. teacher's aides, assistant librarians, nursing aides, counseling aides, office assistants) may have had some college, many of them didn't have degrees. And they didn't make the salaries they do in your state, either.

I guess we don't have the over-abundance of teachers here that exist in some states, either. I have known many certified teachers and other professional school employees in my work settings and also just as friends, and I can't imagine many of them would work full-time in a school as a paraprofessional for very long if they had the option of being in a professional-paying job instead. The pay just wouldn't be worth it when they could be making much more as a professional teacher/librarian/nurse/counselor/administrator. I'm not saying that none would choose to to do so, especially if it somehow allowed them to work in their own child's school. But not many.

Many of the people I have known in the schools who have had college degrees but not education-related ones have chosen to get their alternative teaching certification. The pay difference is just so much here that it is a logical step for those who want to remain in the school setting.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...Is someone "a professional" based on their degrees or certifications, or on their position? I'd say almost everyone would consider certified teachers who work as paras to be professionals, but what about those who have a masters degree in, say, psychology? If they're working as a para educator, would they be considered a professional? From your comments, I guess you would not call them a professional (and maybe not even if they had a teaching certificate). I wonder how most people would think.

The term "professional", as used in the past, is elitist and outdated. In current context, it really means that you have a skill and perform that skill well. I consider the team that cares for our grounds at work to be professionals. They do a much better job than I ever could (they do much more than mow the grass).

If one has a career based on a skill, they are a professional (IMO)...

 

[Aristomommy]

The term "professional", as used in the past, is elitist and outdated. In current context, it really means that you have a skill and perform that skill well. I consider the team that cares for our grounds at work to be professionals. They do a much better job than I ever could (they do much more than mow the grass).

If one has a career based on a skill, they are a professional (IMO)...

IMHO, professional refers to a person that has received education in their field and is considered an autonomous expert. Some skills such as carpentry is referred to as a trade, even though that person has expertise, but has no formal (university) training. I think many fields refer to para-professionals as individuals that have completed some formal education, but are not autonomous and assist a professional like a teacher or a medical professional. It has nothing to do with elitist just the respect that someone who has completed rigorous formal training has earned.

In the OP case, professional behavior IMHO was a great compliment. Whether it's about appearance or professional behavior, it means that you are regarded as a valuable member of your work group. Many people are professionals by earning their degree, but their behavior doesn't match it. This could be because of interpersonal skills, treatment of clients/co-workers or how they apply their skills. It sound to me that your work thinks highly of you.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Cindy B - I think things must be quite different in whatever state you are in than in Texas. I worked in the schools as an RN for years, and while some paraprofessionals (e.g. teacher's aides, assistant librarians, nursing aides, counseling aides, office assistants) may have had some college, many of them didn't have degrees. And they didn't make the salaries they do in your state, either.

I guess we don't have the over-abundance of teachers here that exist in some states, either. I have known many certified teachers and other professional school employees in my work settings and also just as friends, and I can't imagine many of them would work full-time in a school as a paraprofessional for very long if they had the option of being in a professional-paying job instead. The pay just wouldn't be worth it when they could be making much more as a professional teacher/librarian/nurse/counselor/administrator. I'm not saying that none would choose to to do so, especially if it somehow allowed them to work in their own child's school. But not many.

Many of the people I have known in the schools who have had college degrees but not education-related ones have chosen to get their alternative teaching certification. The pay difference is just so much here that it is a logical step for those who want to remain in the school setting.

That's not the way it works here.

And all but one of the paras I've known who were certified chose to be a para because of the hours and the absence of red tape and paperwork.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

IMHO, professional refers to a person that has received education in their field and is considered an autonomous expert. Some skills such as carpentry is referred to as a trade, even though that person has expertise, but has no formal (university) training. I think many fields refer to para-professionals as individuals that have completed some formal education, but are not autonomous and assist a professional like a teacher or a medical professional. It has nothing to do with elitist just the respect that someone who has completed rigorous formal training has earned.

Spend some time with people in these "trades" and you might discover that they have far more formal training than almost any other field. Union carpenters and electricians go through many years of formal apprentice training. By the time they are granted their journeyman's status, they can work as autonomous experts in their fields.

Yes, it is elitism to think of only university training as worthy of respect and recognition...

 

[Jsme]

I think extremely professional is going into work with the catty hateful women I work with on a daily basis and smiling and putting up with their crap. It never hurts to smile even if you can not stand the people you are smiling at. I try to look at it as this probably upsets them more if I am smiling and being nice (professional) then me acting like them. I work in the public school system and I refuse to allow myself to lower my standard to those standards of the other women I work with, especially in front of students.

 

[denisem]

Spend some time with people in these "trades" and you might discover that they have far more formal training than almost any other field. Union carpenters and electricians go through many years of formal apprentice training. By the time they are granted their journeyman's status, they can work as autonomous experts in their fields.

Yes, it is elitism to think of only university training as worthy of respect and recognition...

I whole-heartedly agree.

Only those who have "completed rigorous formal (university) training" are deemed "worthy" of being professionals???

Off the top of my head, Bill Gates and Uncle Walt might be amused by that concept...

FWIW, I consider any hairdresser who can do a decent cut on my lousy baby-fine, poker straight hair is a true PROFESSIONAL!