Standards of a Professional

As a student of the College of Management, you have chosen to be part of an academic degree program that offers critical and complex intellectual challenges. You also have entered a professional culture that promotes the practical, leading-edge skills you need to succeed in the marketplace. You have accepted responsibilities to excel in your academic pursuits, to participate in college-sponsored events with the business community, and to engage knowledgeably in activities offered by employers.

In every instance, your words, attitude, demeanor, and appearance represent to the community-at-large the caliber of NC State, the College of Management's academic programs and the quality of our student body. Integrity, pride, and courtesy are as important in your college endeavors as they are in your personal life.

Therefore, the College of Management asks you to practice the Standards of a Successful Professional.

Ethics and Leadership

  • Maintain high standards with persistence and sincerity
  • Understand the process of developing your own leadership vision: meditate within yourself to heed your inner voice and calling
  • Speak the truth even when difficult and be willing to take an unpopular stand: be courageous and take discerning risks
  • Be considerate, consistent, and fair with all people
  • Be reliable and reputable: show responsibility, believe in excellence, deliver on your promises
  • Keep your word: character is important
  • Extend a helping hand; and
  • Show dignity while exhibiting humanity and humility.

Awareness

  • Know yourself
  • Be thoughtful, book-smart, and street-smart
  • Pay attention to your common sense and to your intuition
  • Create an attractive professional style: your appearance, grooming, and demeanor are outward statements of your inner values
  • Network widely and deeply and reciprocate all goodwill
  • Do not 'burn bridges' and
  • Nurture your passion for your goals: be enthusiastic, focused, and energized

Competence

  • Make a true commitment to lifelong learning and to personal and professional growth
  • Stretch yourself creatively, intellectually, physically, and emotionally: balance imagination and critical thinking
  • Understand different personality types-how people think and feel, and work constantly on your interpersonal skills
  • Listen carefully and empathetically, both to learn and to develop relationships
  • Be articulate and clear in writing and in speaking
  • Show initiative and reach out beyond your comfort zone: do not be afraid to make honest mistakes
  • Know the big picture and understand the details; plan efficiently and realistically
  • Develop intelligent and effective problem-solving and decision-making methods
  • Manage resources judiciously and effectively
  • Work hard and choose a positive attitude
  • How self-discipline: make priorities, challenge your excuses, evaluate your results, and postpone rewards until you succeed

Maturity

  • Be flexible, adaptable, and open-minded
  • Know the difference between professional assertiveness and aggression: deal with stress, frustration, and anxiety in a constructive manner
  • Be self-confident, strong, and decisive and take responsibility for your words and behavior
  • Develop trusting, solid relationships
  • Have a sense of humor.

Becoming a successful professional is a reflective and thoughtful process, demanding much time, patience, and attention to detail. Translating philosophy into actual daily behavior is not easy and requires vigilance, heart, and grit.

Yes, the College of Management expects that through its policies and requirements that you will participate actively, responsibly, and professionally in the classroom and in every activity and event relevant to your academic and career objectives. The real hope, however, is that you will make applying these principles a personal commitment for today and for your future. The faculty and staff of the college are here to help you achieve this end.