SY BCom Sem 3: Professional Skills:

 SY BCom Sem 3:  Professional Skills:

Thinking about professional skills:

Answer the questions:

 

1.     What do you understand by the word professionalism?

Professionalism means behaving in a way that shows you are responsible, skilled, and respectful in your work. It includes being on time, doing your job well, and treating others with kindness and respect. Being Professional also means being competent in your job. A professional person follows the rules and standards of their field, treats others with courtesy, and handles their responsibilities with care.

2.      Whom would you call professionals? Give at least five examples.

Professionals are people who have received special training or education in their respective field and do their jobs with skill and responsibility. They are often certified or licensed in their area of expertise and are expected to maintain high standards of conduct. For Example: 1.Doctors, 2. Teachers, 3. Engineers, 4. Lawyers, 5. Accountants, who have specialized professional degrees. 

3.      Whom would you classify as being non-professionals? Give at least five examples.

Non-professionals are people who may not have formal training, certification, or education in a specific field or who do not follow the standards of professionalism. They do not have learnt the specific skills for the particular job or profession. They often perform tasks based on general knowledge or skills rather than expertise in a specific area. For Example: 1. Household helpers, 2. Small business keepers, 3. Casual workers, 4. Caretakers, 5. Volunteers, manual laborers who work without any professional training or education.

4. Why do some professionals behave unprofessionally sometimes?

Sometimes, professionals behave unprofessionally due to various reasons. They might be under a lot of stress or pressure, which can affect their work. Personal problems, such as family issues or health concerns, might also affect their behavior at work. In some cases, a lack of proper training or understanding of professional standards can lead to unprofessional conduct. (Additionally, facing difficult situations might cause professionals to act in ways that do not meet the usual standards expected in their field.) This behavior can harm their reputation and the trust others have in them.

# Proverbs on Professional Skills :

1. Duty knows no family:

This means that when you have important responsibilities, you sometimes have to put them before personal relationships, even with family. For example, if your job requires you to work late or travel, you might miss family gatherings. It’s not because you don’t care about your family, but because your responsibilities need to come first. This proverb reminds us that fulfilling our duties sometimes means making sacrifices in our personal life and sometimes, we must prioritize our duties over personal feelings.

2. He is not to blame who does his duty:

This means that if someone is doing their best to fulfill their responsibilities, they shouldn’t be blamed if things don’t turn out perfectly or something goes wrong. As long as they have done what was required and tried their best, they should not be blamed. The idea is that doing one’s duty is the most important thing, and not the outcome. sometimes, things are beyond our control.

So, if someone is acting responsibly, they should be respected for their effort. They should not be blamed for the outcome.

3.     Duty before devotion:

This means that you should put your responsibilities ahead of your personal interests, desires or passions. For example, if you have a job to finish, you should complete it before spending time on a hobby you love. This proverb teaches that fulfilling your duties is more important than pursuing personal enjoyment. It emphasizes the value of being responsible and getting your work done before focusing on things you enjoy.

4.     Duty done is the soul's fireside:

This proverb suggests that when you complete your responsibilities, it brings a sense of peace and comfort, like sitting by a warm fire. When you do what you’re supposed to do, you feel satisfied and at ease. It brings inner calm and contentment. (For example, finishing a big project or helping someone can make you feel good inside.) This feeling of contentment and warmth comes from knowing that you’ve fulfilled your duties and done your best. This feeling of fulfillment is as comforting to the soul as a cozy fire is to the body.

5.     Duty is the most sublime word in our language:

This proverb means that duty is one of the most important and honorable concepts. It represents the idea of doing what is right and fulfilling our responsibilities. For example, taking care of your job, family, or community is seen as noble and valuable. The word "sublime" suggests something that is noble and inspiring, so calling duty “the most sublime word” highlights its importance and value. It reminds us that duty is a central part of living a good and respectable life. Duty is the most pious thing to do in our life.

6.     It is man's duty to go as far as he can on the right road:

This means that we should always try our best to do what is right and follow the correct path in life. Even if the journey is difficult, we should keep moving forward and doing our best. For example, if you are working towards a goal, you should continue making effort and staying true to your values. This proverb encourages determination and devotion to doing what is right, no matter how challenging it may be. It simply means go on doing your duties even it’s hard to do but stay true.

7.     Higher duties mean greater responsibilities: &

8.     A great position entails great responsibility:

When you have a more important job or role, you also have more responsibilities. For example, if you are promoted to a manager, you will need to do multiple tasks and make more responsible decisions. This means you have to work harder and take care of many things. If you hold a high position, you have a lot of duties to manage and ensure that everything runs smoothly. You are expected to take charge and make sure everything is done correctly. It shows that with more power or importance comes more work, more responsibilities and accountability.

9.     Never step over one duty to perform another:

This means you should not ignore one responsibility while trying to complete another. If you have several tasks, finish one before starting the next. For instance, if you have a homework assignment and a household routine, complete the homework first before moving on to the routine. This way, you stay focused and make sure every task gets done properly. It helps you stay organized and avoid missing important things.

# Real-life Experience :

In a paragraph of 150 words write about an instance where being professional has come at the cost of one’s personal life. You may draw from your own experience or you may talk about experiences people in your family or friend circles have had.

One example of being professional coming at the cost of personal life is a story from my friend Vivek Jain. Vivek works as a project manager for a big company. Last year, he was given a crucial project with a tight deadline. To ensure the project was completed on time, Vivek had to work long hours, including weekends. This meant he missed important family events, like his son’s graduation and his parents’ anniversary dinner. Even though Vivek’s work was highly praised and the project was successful, he felt sad about missing these special moments with his family. His personal life was affected because he had to put his job first. Vivek found it challenging to balance his professional responsibilities with spending time with loved ones. This experience showed him that while being dedicated to work is important, it’s also crucial to find time for family and personal life. It was a hard lesson about how being professional can sometimes mean making sacrifices in your personal life.

# Workplace Skills :

1.     How does an effective understanding of professionalism help in performing one’s job satisfactory and successfully?

Understanding professionalism helps you do your job well because it teaches you to be responsible, respectful, and reliable. It means following the rules, being on time, working hard and treating others with courtesy. By doing so, you can meet your job requirements more easily. This understanding makes you a better team member and helps you solve problems effectively. When you act professionally, you earn trust of your colleagues and bosses, which can lead to better job performance and career success, making your job more satisfying and successful.

2.     How can individuals develop their professional skills continuously throughout their career and their lives?

Individuals can develop their professional skills by regularly looking for new learning opportunities. You can develop your professional skills by taking courses, attending workshops, and reading up on your field. Networking with others and asking for feedback helps you learn and improve. Setting goals for skill development, practicing new skills and applying them in real situations is equally important. Staying updated with new trends and technology also helps you keep your skills current and relevant.

3.     What are some of the ways in which you feel you can be more professional in your own life? Do you think you can achieve a balance between duty and personal considerations?

To be more professional in my own life, I can start by being more organized and by improving upon my skills. This means planning my tasks carefully and responsibly. I can also keep myself updated in my field through training and seeking feedback from experienced people. Balancing work and personal life can be challenging, but I can do it by planning my time well and setting clear priorities. By making sure I allocate time for both work and personal activities, I can maintain a good balance and feel satisfied in both areas. With proper time management, I can have both successful professional life along with enjoyable personal life.