Engage in Life-Long Learning

Benefits of a College or University Credential

Why should you enroll in a college or university program? One of the most compelling reasons to attend college or university is to obtain credentials, learn skills and gain knowledge that will help you earn more money than you could without a postsecondary credential than you could over your lifetime.  Some of the other benefits of obtaining a higher education credential include the following:

1. Increased Job Prospects. When looking for work in Canada, Canadian employers like to see that you attended a Canadian school because managers often recognize these schools. If you did not attend a Canadian school, it may be helpful to get a credential evaluation as doing so will help employers compare the school you attended in another country to Canadian schools.^[1] There are various associations that perform credential evaluations such as World Education Services (WES) that compares your academic accomplishments to standards in Canada and the U.S.  These credential evaluations help institutions like schools, employers, licensing boards, and immigration authorities better understand your educational background.^[2]
2. Higher Wages. Workers with four-year degrees earn higher wages and experience lower levels of unemployment than those with only a high school diploma.^[3] Generally, the higher levels of education you have when working in Canada the more money you earn.^[4]
3. Increased Job Security. You may be better equipped for economic turmoil if you have a college or university credential.^[5]
4. Greater Life Satisfaction. More schooling could lead to a happier life. People with bachelor’s degrees tend to be happier than those without one.^[6]
5. Easier Access to Health Insurance and Other Benefits. College and university graduates are more likely to work for companies that offer health insurance benefits than high school graduates.^[7]

Continue to Learn

Lifelong learning is the ongoing, voluntary, and self-motivated pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons. Lifelong learning is a workplace necessity for most employees. It can help employees adapt to changing work demands, improve their performance, and increase their job satisfaction. Many organizations will provide professional development funds for employees’ personal learning and growth. Some companies may require employees to commit to a set number of months or years with the company after completing a company-funded professional development program.

Build the Skills Employers Need

In addition to the above benefits of obtaining a college or university credential, you will also build new skills that will help you obtain a job, retain the position, and be successful in growing your career. Specific jobs may require specific hard skills, such as a Web Designer who needs hard skills in using software in order to build websites. Beyond hard skills, soft skills are required in order for you to communicate, work in teams, and manage yourself professionally in the workplace. Soft skills are considered transferrable skills and are often considered employability skills.  Employability skills are the skills you need to enter, stay in, and progress in the world of work—whether you work on your own or as part of a team. Some of the most important employability skills you will need is the ability to work well with others, be a productive team member, and communicate well with others. Did you know that 90% of projects require team participation as opposed to individual responsibility, and 31% of companies say that miscommunications about project objectives is the number one reason why projects fail?^[8]

The Conference Board of Canada provides The Employability Skills Toolkit for download. The Toolkit is a guide to the skills needed to adapt and succeed in the world of work. It includes explanations and descriptions of these skills and ways to build them. The Toolkit includes key information about how to become job-ready and exercises to practice and apply what you have learned. These activities encourage thinking about which skills you have, which skills you may need to work on, and how you can improve them. The updated version of the Toolkit also includes information on how to prepare for and succeed in the future of work. To help you understand some of the skills that are in high demand by employers, you’ll find new content on digital skills and social and emotional skills. Given the impacts of technology and automation on the working world, this version of the Toolkit also includes a new section on how to develop a change-ready, lifelong learning mindset, which is essential to help you navigate job transitions.^[9]

Employability skills fall into four broad categories as shown in Figure 1.1 below.

According to a blog post by Matt Gavin at Harvard Business School Online, every professional should know the following business fundamentals:^[10]

1. Analytics. The demand for professionals with a keen understanding of business analytics and data science is on the rise.
2. Financial Accounting. No matter your profession, understanding the meaning behind the numbers on financial statements can be a boon to your career.
3. Economics. Beyond an in-depth knowledge of your industry’s market demands, studying economics can equip you with the necessary skills to craft a successful business strategy and help your firm succeed against competitors.
4. Leadership. The ability to lead and mobilize others is vital for all professionals.
5. Negotiation. Knowledge of effective bargaining tactics can help you resolve conflicts that are otherwise deadlocked and equip you with the skills needed to maximize value in agreements.
6. Strategy. An understanding of strategy formulation and execution can help professionals across all industries, making it easier for their organizations to meet business goals and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
7. Global Business. Many of today’s largest and most successful organizations, such as Apple and Walmart, are multinational corporations conducting business worldwide. In an age of globalization, it’s highly beneficial for today’s professionals to broaden their knowledge of international business.

Communication Skills

The communication skills identified by the Conference Board of Canada include the following.^[11]

• Read and understand information presented in different ways (e.g., words, graphs, charts, diagrams).
• Write and speak so others can pay attention and understand.
• Listen and ask questions to understand and appreciate the points of view of others.
• Share information using different technologies (e.g., phone calls, e-mail, social media, the Internet).
• Use relevant knowledge and skills to explain or clarify ideas.

Teamwork Skills

In every job you will be required to work with people. In college and university, you often work with your peers on group projects.  Interacting with colleagues, managers, customers, and suppliers is part of everyday communication.

The teamwork skills identified by the Conference Board of Canada, Work with Others, include the following:^[12]

• Understand and work within the roles of a group.
• Make sure that a team’s purpose and aims are clear.
• Respect and support the thoughts, opinions, and contributions of others.
• Recognize and respect people’s diversity and perspectives.
• Accept and provide feedback in a useful and kind manner.
• Add to a team by sharing information and skills.
• Lead or support when it’s appropriate.
• Understand the role of conflict in a group in reaching solutions.
• Manage and settle conflict.

The teamwork skills identified by the Conference Board of Canada, Participate in Projects and Tasks, include the following:

• Design or carry out a project with well-defined outcomes.
• Develop a plan, ask for feedback, and apply it.
• Work to shared standards of quality.
• Choose and use the right tools for a task or project.
• Adapt to changing information and conditions.
• Keep an eye on the success of a project or task throughout and find ways to improve.

Play the YouTube video below, “Employability Skills – Have You Got them?” to learn about the soft skills you need to succeed in your academic career as well as your business career.^[13]  Transcript for “Employability Skills – Have You Got Them?” Video [PDF–New Tab].  Closed captioning is available on YouTube.

Study Smarter Not Harder

College and university can be challenging when it comes to allocating time for studying and completing assignments.

Study Tips

Below is a list of 10 study tips that will help get you through those long study sessions.^[14]

1. The Pomodoro Technique. Set a timer for 25 minutes and dive into your work. When the timer rings, you’ve earned a five-minute break. Repeat four times, then take a longer break. This study method is proven to boost focus and helps prevent study fatigue.
2. Block Distracting Apps. Set your phone to Do Not Disturb to silence notifications.
3. Learn by Chunking. Break down complex information into bite-size pieces, or “chunks”. Focus on one section at a time. This makes information more manageable and less intimidating, allowing your brain to form patterns and connections, enhancing recall and understanding.
4. Study After Exercising. Physical activity increases blood flow, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your brain. This can enhance cognitive functions like memory, problem-solving, and attention.
5. Listen to Recorded Lectures at 2x Speed. After attending your lectures, make it a habit to re-listen to them at double speed if there are recordings available. This technique helps reinforce what you’ve already heard and allows you to cover more material in less time.
6. Reward Yourself. Incorporating a reward system into your study routine can significantly enhance your motivation and productivity.
7. Study with All of the Lights On. A well-lit study environment can significantly impact your ability to concentrate and stay alert. Natural light in particular is associated with improved energy levels and mood.
8. Study in Groups. If you’re studying the same information as the people around you, it can actually help deepen your understanding of the material. You’ll be able to share your different perspectives, quiz each other on the material, and fill in gaps in each other’s knowledge.
9. Teach to Learn. They say the best way to deeply learn anything is to teach it to someone else. Many colleges and universities have tutoring positions for students who have achieved high grades in their courses.  Check with your institution’s library or student services department. You can teach a colleague about course concepts while you make some extra money at the same time.
10. Use Mnemonics. Mnemonics are memory aids that help you recall complex information through simple associations, like acronyms, rhymes, or visual imagery. They transform hard-to-remember data into a format that’s easier to remember.

SQ4R Reading System

A technique you might apply to reduce reading time is the SQ4R reading system. The SQ4R reading system is designed to help you study your textbook and apply reading and notetaking skills. The letters in SQ4R stand for five steps: survey, question, read, reflect, recite, and review. These steps will help you gain more from what you read and be better prepared for quizzes and exams. In other words, you will maximize the return on your time investment for reading!^[15]

Learning Style

It is important for you to identify your learning style.  Which way do you learn best?  Do you learn best by doing, by observing, by listening, by watching, or through a combination of these things.  Learning styles refers to the different methods of learning or understanding new information, the way a person takes in, understands, expresses and remembers information. There are 4 predominant learning styles: Visual, Auditory, Read/Write, and Kinaesthetic. Often colleges and universities have assessments you can take that will help you identify your learning style as well as your strengths and abilities. The majority of people have one dominant learning style, although most people benefit from several different learning styles. When learning is presented in a way that is consistent with someone’s dominant learning style, they tend to learn more quickly and with less frustration.

When you are enrolled in a course, and you find you are struggling to learn the concepts, you may need to make a plan to help yourself. For example, if the professor is teaching in lecture format and you need more examples and videos then after class you might search online for videos or examples that will help you understand what the professor’s lecture was about.  You might also ask questions and request additional exercises or a meeting with the professor, or maybe, you would do better by obtaining a tutor. You need to be proactive in your education and feel free to discuss issues that you may have with the professor, your academic advisor and your peers.  You may be able to form a learning-buddy relationship with a peer which may help you both understand the lessons better.

Student Support

Identify what support the institution provides for students and utilize what you need to be successful.  Ask yourself these questions:

• Does the school provide tutors at no charge?
• Does the school provide help with math beyond the classroom?
• Does the school offer extra English tutoring?
• Does the school have an Accessibility Office that can provide students with accommodation?
• Does the school loan laptops or other learning devices to students?
• Does the school allow access to library resources when off campus?
• Does the library provide lessons to students on researching, citing, and using the library resources?
• Does the student association have clubs that might help students study?
• Does the school provide study spaces?
• Does the student association provide information on housing, used books, clothing, food, etc.?
• Does the school provide open educational learning resources?
• Does the school offer student scholarships?
• Does the library have learning strategists that can help with time management, stress management, and study tips?

You will need to find answers to your many questions. Use the college or university website and read about student experience, student support, student services that the institution provides. When you are in need of support ask for it.  You academic advisor, international advisor, professor, program coordinator, and service areas at the college or university can help.  Everyone working at the college or university is there to support your learning journey and provide you with the tools and resources you need to be successful.

Grades

One of the most important things you need to understand in each course is the course outline (also referred to as course syllabus).  You need to review this the first week of class and ask your professor questions if you do not understand how you will be graded.  The course outline should provide you with a breakdown of what you can expect to be taught in the course, what the course learning outcomes (sometime called objectives) are, and how you will be assessed on your learning.  Often assessment due dates are provided in advance, and you should record these in a calendar and always, always, work ahead of due dates.  When you leave assignments until the night before they are due to complete them you are not preparing for success. So many things may go wrong, such as a technology failure or you may find you do not understand some of the instructions or you may find the assignment is much more time consuming than you had thought.  You should always plan ahead and be prepared for things that may go wrong. Plan to have your assignments completed a day or two ahead of the due date, that way if your technology does fail, you will be able to use another device, or if you don’t understand some instructions then you have time to clarify these with the professor.

It is important to keep your grades as high as you can. You do this by planning your time well, keeping a calendar and working ahead of due dates, asking questions when you need help, and completing the learning tasks you are assigned. When students do the readings assigned, watch the videos assigned, and attend and participate in class, they often do very well in achieving high grades. Your GPA score (Grade Point Average) is a cumulation of the grades across the courses throughout your program. To graduate your institution will have a minimum GPA score you must achieve, and should you wish to further your education in the future your GPA score may factor into whether or not you will be accepted for enrollment at specific colleges or universities.  If you decide in the future to study another program at a different institution you may want to apply for transfer credit and most colleges and universities have minimum grade requirements for accepting transfer credits (this is often a C grade, but check with the institution). Many schools calculate GPAs differently, but you can usually find this information on the institution’s website.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to acting with honesty, trust, fairness, respect, and responsibility in academic work and studies. A few questions to ask yourself when completing school assignments include the following.

1. Can I ask a friend to share their work with me?
2. Can I hire someone to do the work for me?
3. Can I get a generative AI such as ChatGPT to do the work for me?
4. Can I use an assignment mill such as Course Hero to find the assignment answer posted by someone else?

The answer to each of these questions is generally, NO!

Generative AI

With that said, there may be occasions when your professor allows you to use generative AI to help you research or get started with a writing assignment. When you do use ChatGPT or other AI tools you will need to cite it as a source of information in the same way you would cite a website, video, book, or other source of information you may use.  Remember that you may only use the resources permitted by the professor to aid you in completing assignments, otherwise, your work may be identified as plagiarized or in breach of the academic integrity policy.  Be sure you familiarize yourself with the institution’s policies, and specifically the academic integrity policy.

Avoid Plagiarism

Formatting standards for documentation are common in higher education as well as in the workplace. Most companies have documentation standards that apply to all correspondence that leaves the company, such as business letters, reports, flyers, brochures, marketing media, website media, and social media. Businesses work hard to portray a certain image to the public and they want that image to be consistent across all their communication channels. A citation style dictates the information necessary for a citation and how the information is ordered, as well as punctuation and other formatting. Popular citation styles such as APA and MLA provide guidelines to authors in how to format documents for professionalism, for crediting other people’s words and ideas via citations and references to avoid plagiarism, and for describing other people using inclusive, bias-free language.

Most college and university libraries provide style guides for APA, MLA and other document formats. The Online Writing Lab (OWL) Purdue Citation Chart provides examples of various citations for both in-text and reference list citations. Additional details are available at the OWL Purdue website.  Review OWL Purdue APA Formatting Guidelines and the library guides from CSUDH are also very comprehensive.

Play the YouTube video below, “Introduction to Citation Styles: APA 7th ed.” to learn about the purpose and basic conventions of citing sources in-text and in a reference list using the American Psychological Association (APA) Style, 7th edition, 2019.^[16]  Transcript for “Introduction to Citation Styles: APA 7th ed.” Video [PDF–New Tab].  Closed captioning is available on YouTube.

Develop Habits that Support Your Success

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

The book entitled “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” written by Stephen R. Covey is based on Covey’s belief that the way we see the world is entirely based on our own perceptions. In order to change a given situation, we much change ourselves, and in order to change ourselves, we must be able to change our perceptions.^[17]

Spend a little time researching the following seven habits to really understand what they mean:

1. Be Proactive. Control your environment rather than have it control you.
2. Begin with the End in Mind. Envision the desired outcome and concentrate on activities that help in achieving it.
3. Put First Things First. Manage time and effort so that the required tasks are prioritized.
4. Think Win-Win. Co-operative effort so there are no losers.
5. Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood. Listen to others first, let them know they have been heard before you speak.
6. Synergize. People cooperating together can often achieve more than one person could alone.
7. Sharpen the Saw. Take time to think, learn, and analyze.

9 Tips for Building a Successful Career You Enjoy

Career success can be highly subjective, meaning each person gets to define what success looks like for them. For some people, a successful career is one that provides the most enjoyment. For others, a successful career is one that provides certain financial benefits. Regardless of how you define it, achieving your goal of a successful career can be an exciting and empowering experience.^[18]

1. Identify Your Goals. What are your personal and professional goals? Have you identified your career interests? You may want to schedule an appointment with a career advisor. Most colleges and universities provide a Careers office with career advisors who can help you determine your career interests, search for employment, develop your resume and cover letter for specific jobs, and practice your interview skills.  It’s definitely worth a visit to your Careers office.
2. Keep Track of Progress. Set SMART goals as these are goals that are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time-based. Using this structure can be a good way to support your success and make adjustments if needed.
3. Make a Plan. Identify your skills and abilities and then search for a career you may like to do. Do you have the skills you need? If not, then how will you get them? This is a good time to connect with a career advisor and take a few career assessments to help you identify your strengths and weaknesses and find opportunities for you to learn and grow and prepare yourself for the career you want.
4. Stay Positive. A positive outlook can support you in building a successful career by keeping your mind open to new possibilities and career paths. Practice interrupting negative thoughts and replacing them with a positive alternative, if possible. Try to spend time with other positive people to reinforce these thought patterns, if it makes sense for you to do so.
5. Reflect Often. Frequently reflecting on your career progress, current circumstances and future options can help you build a successful career.
6. Know Your Strengths. When you know your strengths, you can tailor your job search accordingly and find a position that suits your unique skills. You can also use this information to understand where to focus your attention in professional development and expand your strengths accordingly.
7. Network Effectively. Your connections with other industry professionals can help you grow, make you aware of new and interesting career paths and even make your career more enjoyable.
8. Keep a Growth Mindset. Growth mindset is a phrase that refers to the belief that anything can be learned if you give enough effort to learning it.
9. Practice Mindfulness. Mindfulness, or paying attention to your internal and external state of being, can help you build a successful career by developing self-awareness, confidence and a sense of calm. Try researching mindfulness techniques or visiting with a mindfulness specialist to learn ways to do so.  Mindfulness is a practice in which you focus your awareness in the present without judgement. You create an intention to be conscious of your thinking, feeling and sensations within the current situation. You fully engage in the present moment. Interestingly, mindfulness has been researched extensively and has all kinds of positive outcomes. For example, in a global study, those who practiced mindfulness reduced depression 19%, reduced anxiety 13% and improved wellbeing 7%, according to research published in the British Journal of Health Psychology.^[19] In business, mindfulness can improve productivity, biases, decision-making, behaviour, creativity, and well-being. Mindfulness programs help leaders and employees reflect effectively, focus sharply on the task at hand, master peak levels of stress, and recharge quickly.^[20] In recent years, many big organizations have begun to invest in mindfulness. Google, Nike and Procter & Gamble, for example, provide meditation rooms and classes for employees.^[21] Here’s how you can practice mindfulness for the benefits in your academic and business careers: 1) Reduce Distraction, 2) Avoid Multi-Tasking, 3) Reduce Procrastination, 4) Reduce Emotional Reactivity, and 5) Avoid Team Issues.^[22]

Manage Time Effectively

Time management is an essential life skill and one that will make a huge difference in your career. Time management is the practice of planning and controlling how you use your time to be more productive and efficient. It involves prioritizing tasks, setting deadlines, and avoiding distractions. The goal of time management is to complete important tasks on time while also balancing your personal, professional, and academic responsibilities. Some benefits of effective time management include less stress, more time for creative or strategic projects, better work quality, and more self-confidence. Managing time is an essential part of every busy business professional’s job. Most professionals use an electronic calendar to track appointments, meetings, events, etc.

Play the YouTube video below, “Time Management Techniques for Stress Free Productivity” YouTube video below for some time management tips for stress-free productivity.^[23] Transcript for “Time Management Techniques for Stress Free Productivity” Video [PDF–New Tab]. Closed captioning is available on YouTube.

Manage Stress Effectively

Stress is a part of everyone’s life. Stress is a physical, mental, and emotional response to a difficult event. Stress Management offers a range of ways to help you better deal with stress and difficulty in your life. Engaging in activities that support self-care may help reduce stress and anxiety. These can include exercise and mindfulness practices.

Listed below are 16 evidence-based ways to relieve stress:^[24]

1. 

   Get more physical activity

2. Eat a balanced diet
3. Minimize phone use and screen time
4. Practice self-care
5. Try journaling
6. Reduce your caffeine intake
7. Spend time with friends and family
8. Create boundaries and learn to say no
9. Avoid procrastination
10. Take a yoga class
11. Practice mindfulness
12. Cuddle
13. Spend time in nature
14. Practice deep breathing
15. Spend time with a pet
16. Consider supplements

Taking Tests

Often students become stressed when there is a test to take. Your institution may provide some test-taking tips.  Below are a few test-taking tips from various colleges and universities.

• Centennial College
• Durham College
• Wichita State University
• Utah State University
• Southwestern University
• The Learning Portal, College Libraries Ontario

Manage Your Personal Finances

The chapter, “Managing Personal Finances”, goes into more detail on this subject, for now let’s get introduced to the concepts.

Students become stressed when they need to pay bills and don’t have enough funds to do so. Colleges and universities understand that students have complex lives and often need to work part-time jobs in order to pay their bills. With that said, as a full-time student, these institutions expect you to prioritize your studies since you have paid tuition fees to enroll. No student wants to fail a course and have to pay to re-take it, but if you do not focus on your studies this may happen.  Planning your time effectively is a good way to ensure you are spending enough time on your studies.

Entering college is an exciting and sometimes intimidating venture for many young adults—often it’s the first time many leave the warmth and safety of their parent’s home and have to live and manage on their own. One specific area that causes young adults difficulty is learning to budget.^[25]

A budget is a financial plan that estimates how much money you’ll make and spend over a specific period of time. It can be used by individuals, families, businesses, and governments. The chapter, “Managing Personal Finances” goes into more detail on this subject, for now let’s get introduced to the concepts.

Below are a few suggestions on how college students can more effectively manage their money while furthering their education:

• Set up a self-enforced budget and manage your credit card responsibly
• Utilize meal plans or make your own meals rather than eating out, and share expenses with roommates
• Investigate economic ways to buy essential items and supplies
• Distinguish between essential and non-essential purchases
• Take advantage of scholarships and grant awards
• Investigate off-campus housing and whether or not you can share a place with another student
• Get a paid, part-time job if your schedule permits, but don’t work full-time hours otherwise you may not have time to keep up with your studies
• Take advantage of free (on campus) or low-priced (Value Village, Salvation Army) options for food, clothing, and furniture
• If asked, request practical gifts for your birthday and other special occasions
• Buy used books when possible and resell them when you are finished with them, or checkout the library to see if you can borrow a course textbook
• Investigate whether or not you can remain on your parents’ health insurance plan instead of purchasing health insurance yourself

Creating and using a budget is not just for those who need to closely monitor their cash flows from month to month because money is tight. Almost everyone can benefit from budgeting.^[26] Building the right college student budget for your situation can help you stay on track for your financial life after graduation. Plus, learning to build and maintain a budget is an important skill to carry with you for the rest of your life. If you aren’t sure how to create the perfect college budget that works for you, then check out this free budgeting course. It will walk you through the steps of building a budget that actually sticks.^[27]

Play the YouTube video below, “Time Management Techniques for Stress Free Productivity” YouTube video below for some time management tips for stress-free productivity.^[28] Transcript for “How To: The Easiest and Simplest Way to Create a Monthly Budget! 6-Minute Process” Video [PDF–New Tab]. Closed captioning is available on YouTube.

Gain Business Work Experience

College and university students often wonder how they will gain business work experience. Many work part-time jobs while attending school, but these jobs are usually entry-level service jobs paying minimum wage. Some students have no work experience or have never worked in Canada. Most students hope to work in the field they are studying after they graduate.  So how can you gain business experience in your field of study that will help you obtain a job after you graduate?

Review the list below for some ideas on how to gain work experience:

1. Volunteering is a great way to gain work experience. When you volunteer you meet people, and these people could become references for you when you are searching for your next job. You also gain skills and knowledge that could be applied to future jobs.  Employers like to see that you have given back to the community or volunteered your time to help others–it says good things about your character.
2. Internships and Co-op Placements are good ways to gain work experience, build your professional network, learn new skills, and apply what you have learned in school.
3. Freelance projects can be a flexible way to build expertise. Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr offer numerous opportunities to work on real-world projects.
4. Experiential course projects can help you gain real business experience. Many institutions offer experiential course projects whereby you complete a real business project as part of your course. Riipen is a work-based learning platform to help educators, organizations, and learners collaborate on real industry projects to bridge the gap between education and employment. This approach is particularly effective for tech-oriented fields. These types of projects can be added to your resume and LinkedIn profile.
5. Gain leadership experience by joining student clubs or societies. Many colleges and universities have their own Enactus (entrepreneurship) chapter and Toastmasters (public speaking) club. Some institutions have badges, micro-credentials, specialized academic certificates, or stackable credentials for leadership, Indigenous Knowledges, entrepreneurship, global perspectives, sustainability, etc.
6. Gain practical experience by participating in workshops and lab sessions.
7. Gain business experience by getting involved in student-run businesses or start-ups.
8. Gain skills by utilizing online platforms to learn new skills. Some institutions provide free access to LinkedIn Learning which houses many courses on various subjects.

The Careers and Co-op office within your institution may provide support and resources that will help you find part-time work while you are studying and/or a co-op placement (if this is an option within your program).

Practice Business Etiquette

Business etiquette is a type of social and business behaviour that team members (whether at school or work) are expected to exhibit. It includes how people communicate, dress, and conduct themselves in meetings and social events. Adhering to business etiquette can help foster positive relationships and a harmonious work environment. Some examples of business etiquette include treating others with courtesy and consideration, controlling your emotions and actions, being accountable for your actions and obligations, and meeting deadlines and admitting mistakes.

So, what are some pet peeves you have? Pet peeves are the thing that annoy you, often things other people do that bother you. Check out this list of 87 Common Things That Annoy People. A good guideline is to try not to be the one who is annoying others, especially when working on a team or taking a potential customer out for lunch. Here are a few annoyances college students have shared with their professor over the years:

• “I don’t want to sit beside that person because they have bad body odour”.
• “I don’t want to use that bathroom stall because someone peed (urinated) all over the seat.”
• “It’s so annoying when that student keeps interrupting the professor with questions that aren’t even about the topic.”
• “I don’t like sitting with that person because they pick their nose in front of everyone. Yuck!”
• “Why can’t people just let us get off the elevator before pushing their way on?”
• “They are always late for team meetings or don’t even bother to show up. It’s like they don’t care.”

There are many things that annoy us all, but we need to remember that other people may have grown up with cultural norms that differ from your own. Cultural norms are the standards we live by. They are the shared expectations and rules that guide behavior of people within social groups. Cultural norms are learned and reinforced from parents, friends, teachers and others while growing up in a society. Norms often differ across cultures, contributing to cross-cultural misunderstandings.  For example, it may be customary in certain parts of China and India to belch after a meal, but in Canada and the U.S. this would be considered rude. Punctuality around the world varies: Being on time is important in Canada and U.S. business settings, but being on time is not a concern in Greece, Brazil, or Mexico.  In some cultures, they do not sit on toilet seats, so you may have noticed shoe prints on toilet seats or spillage, or unflushed toilets. This is a bathroom etiquette issue; in Canada toilet seats are expected to be clean and dry. The main thing with etiquette is respect the cultural norms of other people, and exercise professionalism, and practice business etiquette at the location you are in. You will learn more about cultural norms and inter-cultural communication when you complete a course in organizational behaviour or business communications.

Professionalism is a broad concept that includes a person’s attitude, work ethic, and conduct. It also involves being punctual, dressing appropriately, and having a positive attitude. Business etiquette is a key component of professionalism. Some of the traits of professionalism include being dependable and accountable, demonstrating a sense of etiquette, making ethical decisions, being a team player, and maintaining a positive outlook.

Watch “The Five Zones of Professional Etiquette” YouTube video below to learn about professional etiquette. ^[29]Transcript for “The Five Zones of Professional Etiquette (Student Version)” Video [PDF–New Tab]. Closed captioning is available on YouTube.

References

(Note: This reference list was produced using the auto-footnote and media citation features of Pressbooks)