Professionalism 101

Gr 11 Up—This series attempts to cover the basics of business culture and etiquette using the input of young members of the work force, an etiquette consultant, and others. Some of the advice is common knowledge, such as don't slouch, don't be late, and look a person in the eye, but other pointers some can only be learned in a work environment. Tips like, learn the unwritten rules may seem vague until a person lands a job. High school students will probably benefit from the obvious pointers provided in Professional Image—shine your shoes, don't wear overpowering cologne, etc.—that can be applied to college interviews. Working Together gives effective techniques to handle bullying situations. Many of the general tips can be applied to high school—manage your time well, don't use school computers for personal emails, avoid conflicts between other people. However, the entire presentation lacks visual creativity and is so dry that it will probably fail to hold the attention of students. Additionally, since much of the information can be found free on YouTube, this is an optional purchase best.—Pamela Schembri, Newburgh Enlarged City Schools, NY