Professionalism and Success go hand-in-hand. For some, being professional might mean dressing up for work, or doing a good job. For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certifications but it actualy encompasses all of these.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines professionalism as "the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person"; and it defines a profession as "a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation."
These definitions imply that professionalism encompasses a number of different attributes, and, together, these attributes identify and define a professional. Attributes that include, having a specialized knowledge or skill, being competent, being honest, maintaining integrity, ethics and accountability. It is so important that we work to earn a professional reputation in the workplace. True professionals are the first to be considered for promotions, they are awarded valuable projects or clients, and they are routinely successful in their careers.
Professionalism intertwines with Design Education in that our education is what molds us to become professionals. And with our new design knowledge and specific skill set learned in school and taking that into the real world by providing a service to the public makes us professionals while incorporating those attributes mentioned above.
The American Society of Interior Designers (ASID) has provided a manual called the ASID Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct so that their members know how to be a successful professional.
http://www.asid.org/sites/default/files/ASID2011_CodeOfEthicsAndProfessionalConduct.pdf
Hey Mike :] Overall great post. I like that you used the dictionary's definition for professionalism- as it probably is how most people/the general public would also define the word. I also agree that our education is what makes us professionals. Without an education, it is hard to see a true direction that your career is going, which is important.
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