Professionalism

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Professionalism
What Is It and How Do I Become One?!
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• What makes someone a professional?
• Are there qualities that we can look for?
• Is it something that we can see?

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A Professional is

• According to the Merriam-Websters Online
  Dictionary
• (1) characterized by or conforming to the
  technical or ethical standards of a profession
• (2) exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and
  generally businesslike manner in the workplace
• a participating for gain or livelihood in an
  activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by
  amateurs lta professional golfergt
• b having a particular profession as a permanent
  career lta professional soldiergt
• c engaged in by persons receiving financial
  return ltprofessional footballgt

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What makes someone a Pro?

• Back to our questions
• What makes someone a professional?
• They follow a code of ethics
• They are educated/trained experts
• They ensure a high quality of service
• They have a service mentality
• They have been tested/assessed to ensure
  competency

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What makes someone a Pro?

• Are interpreters professionals?

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What makes someone a Pro?

• How does an interpreter develop professionalism?
• Make sure they are an expert! (and that they
  stay one)
• Ensure good quality of service to their clients
  (including agencies).
• Show that they are competent.
• UPHOLD the code of ethics (legal, medical or
  otherwise)

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What makes someone a Pro?

• Are there qualities that we can look for?
• Attitude
• Appearance
• Competency
• Experience
• Knowledge
• Skill

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Professional Qualities

• Attitude (a person's perspective toward a
  specified target )
• A professional uses higher emotional tones
  Enthusiasm, cheerfulness, interest, contentment
• A professional jumps into difficult assignments.
• A professional remains level-headed and
  optimistic.
• A professional faces up to other peoples upsets
  and problems.
• A professional persists until the objective is
  achieved.
• A professional has confidence in themselves and
  what they are doing.

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Professional Qualities

• Appearance

Posture and Body Language
Dress
Cleanliness
Grooming
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Professional Qualities

• Competency (the quality of being adequately or
  well qualified physically and intellectually )
• A professional learns every aspect of the job.
• A professional carefully discovers what is needed
  and wanted.
• A professional does not let mistakes slide by.
• A professional produces a high-quality product or
  service.
• A professional understands their limits!

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Professional Qualities

• Experience
• Active participation in events or activities,
  leading to the accumulation of knowledge or
  skill.
• Knowledge
• Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained
  through experience or study. Learning erudition.
• Skill
• Proficiency, facility, or dexterity that is
  acquired or developed through training or
  experience.

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Is it something that we can see?

• Walk like a professional.
• Show your confidence and enthusiasm.
• Smile!
• The manner in which you walk in sets the stage
  for the entire assignment.

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Is it something that we can see?

• Act like a Professional.
• Follow the code of ethics for the field you work
  in.
• Provide good customer service. Whether we like
  it or not, they are always right, even when they
  are wrong.
• Respect your fellow interpreters.
• Continue to learn!
• Remember every day is a new chance to sell
  yourself and improve your professional
  relationships!

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Is it something that we can see?

• Work like a professional.
• Enjoy what you do!
• Show that you are good at it!
• Build professional relationships!

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Is it something that we can see?

• Finish like a professional.
• Remind the client of your name and the best way
  to contact you and give them a card (preferably
  with your name on it).
• Thank them for the opportunity to interpret.
• Ask if there is anything else with which you can
  help.

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Works Cited

• Characteristics of a Professional
  http//www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/tutorials/profession
  alism/characteristics.html
• Professional Qualities and Quotes
  http//www.tipsforsuccess.org/professionalism.htm
• Definitions
  http//www.answers.com/topic/skill
  http//www.merriam-webs
  ter.com/