Black Collegian Career Center

A. Congratulations on realizing your academic goals. You are absolutely right to now start planning for advancement opportunities. And your question about what it means to be a professional is a very important part of functioning as one.

First of all, look at how the workplace divides workers into a number of categories that are designed to clarify the way in which you work and are paid. Two of these are exempt and non-exempt categories. Many people try to make a transition from a clerical or production, hourly work level to an exempt/salaried position without fully understanding the differences.

A non-exempt employee is usually an hourly worker, who may have to punch a time clock, is paid on an hourly pay scale and can receive overtime pay for working beyond the normal workweek, usually 40 hours. This worker may be paid weekly or biweekly, and has designated breaks and lunch periods. Their work tends to be more manual or physical and often provides support to others. They frequently work under close supervision and are generally expected to do most of their work from their assigned work area. Typical jobs do not require a college degree and are in administrative support areas such as cashiers, retail sales, data entry and keyboard operators, nurse’s aids, clerks, receptionists, secretaries, assembly-line, maintenance or entry level technical.

An exempt employee generally works in areas requiring some college or a college degree, and is not paid an hourly wage. Their pay is preset, regardless of how many hours worked. An exempt employee receives certain privileges, which are not available to the non-exempt employee. They have flexibility in scheduling their lunches and breaks, they may have flexible arrival time and their work may consist of activities that allow them to work in the office, from home and/or on the road. They may have on-site and off-site appointments. They can work independently and/or in groups with limited or a great deal of autonomy – meaning limited supervision. Frequently their work also consists of supervising or managing the work of others. They are expected to manage their time and portfolio of work to achieve pre-determined goals, targets or results, regardless of what amount of time it takes. Their work may be more abstract involving analytical skills, problem solving, decision-making, counseling, consulting and information processing. They are expected to be able, adept, competent, experienced, skilled, patient, responsible, empathetic, assertive and resolute and to have expertise in their field. They must be able to think responsibly and understand the "big-picture" meaning how their work contributes to the broader organizational priorities. Typical jobs are labeled as team leader, specialist, agent, associate, coordinator, administrator, supervisor, manager, director and executive.

A person trying to make the transition from a clerical or production or service type job to a "professional" job must prepare for the mental transition. You must learn how to conduct yourself in a way that says I’m ready and able to manage myself and lead others. Your work must be exceptional on a consistent basis, which demonstrates your readiness for work requiring higher-level skills. You cannot be a time-clock watcher. Your appearance must be impeccable. You may have to devote lots more money to dry-cleaning to maintain a professional wardrobe. You will need to learn business protocol such as what kind of work behaviors are the standard for managers in your company, what kind of attire would a professional in your company never wear to work or what should you know about the company’s rights regarding intellectual property developed on the job.

You will be expected to become more a part of the organization, to convey loyalty to it and to think about what’s good for the organization, not just for you or even your department. You must learn more about your company, its history, its successes, its image in the community, its future growth, its competitors, its mission. You may be asked to represent your organization at community events. You will be expected to be a part of professional associations and have your own professional network. You will be expected to have a positive and increasingly influential presence in your community.

You will have to find ways to be more connected to other professionals in the organization, beyond your particular department, so that you can become more knowledgeable about things that are happening or about to happen, that may affect your area. Special interests groups such as a diversity committee, a women’s task force or a Black caucus group are great ways to achieve this "inner view."

You must also be very skilled at what you now do and demonstrate an ability to do more and at a higher level. Through professional involvements, you should begin to identify leadership or other opportunities to become more professionally visible.

You must not only be able to do tasks well, but to organize tasks and to collaborate well with others to get things done. You must be a very good communicator and learn to convey confidence and competence at all times. You must show your ability to meet and to even complete work ahead of deadlines; to anticipate and prevent problems; to find alternative and more efficient ways of doing work and to contribute to "the bottom line", what ever the primary work of your organization is.

You must also position yourself for advancement. Do not wait to be chosen. People in your current organization may or may not be able to see you in a new higher-level role. The first step in the transition is to dress for the job you want, not the one you have. Your behaviors must also reflect a high level of "professionalism." You may need to look outside your current organization to be able to leverage your past experience and your newly obtained degree. Identify for yourself your next career move. Seek advice on your readiness. Prepare for it. Communicate your desire for it. And be willing to take a risk and a leap of faith, when the opportunity comes your way.

There is so much more to be said on this topic, but I have probably already overwhelmed you with what I have written thus far. But do not let the thought of the challenge ahead defeat you. Understand that the same route you took of discovery, study, application and persistence, which helped you to achieve your college degree, while working full time, will be the same route that you must take to advance to the status of a professional or salaried position. It will take study, practice and a good mentor, if you can find one. I would also like to recommend to you a new book written by my good friend, Beatrice Nivens, Success Strategies for African Americans, A guide to Creating Personal and Professional Achievement, which is packed full of other important insights. (click on the cover to order online) Professionally speaking, you are on the right track and you are asking the right questions. Get others' opinions as well, and by all means, put some of these insights into daily practice and you will certainly be on your way to professional accomplishment and advancement.