Business Communication 690 (BCOM 690): Professional Development is a course that addresses the issue of progressing from a college environment to a workplace for the student and developing career paths. It equips the student with the necessary professional skills before joining the workforce. These skills include both written and spoken communication skills that will be applied in organizational environments. These skills will then be utilized by students in developing their career and making them more appealing to employers.
The current job market requires one to be equipped with skills that puts them ahead of the rest. In a way, it is a ‘survival of the fittest’ scenario when it comes to looking for jobs. Professional development offers the opportunity for one to upgrade oneself and these days’ employers except employees that have already gone through professional development ( Open.lib.umn.edu, 2017) . Stereotypes are no longer needed, but those who are versatile are most preferred as employees.
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As is expected, any student will eventually finish college and seek employment. Studying business communication offers a variety of tools that can prepare an individual for this. It discusses networking and its value to one’s career. It also highlights the impact that coaching, mentoring and organizational culture have on one’s career path. To better understand how essential BCOM 690 is, it is essential to look at the importance given to communication skills by employers.
The National Association of Colleges and Employers lists communication skills as one of the top five qualities that employers will seek (Open.lib.umn.edu, 2017). Being able to communicate clearly will help one an employee represents an employer with the degree of professionalism that is required. The skills also play a role in increasing one’s potential for employment at any workplace.
Professional development also plays an important role in ensuring a successful career. It acts as a method of value addition by equipping an individual with skills that they can add to their credentials. One of the ways it does this is by opening new opportunities. Individuals that lack skills in professional development are likely to remain in the same position (Reddy, 2017). However, those with up to date skills find it easier in getting packages that are more lucrative.
Another way in which this course helps advance one’s career is by offering an advantage over others. An individual with skills in networking is likely to have better professional connections in any working industry compared to those with none. These are the people who have better Linked In portfolios and are the same people that will likely be chosen for employment.
Having the right communication skills makes one an asset to any organization. However, while this benefits the individual with more job opportunities, it also improves their level of confidence ( Reddy, 2017 ). Self-confidence can result in one being able to apply for higher positions at a workplace thus furthering their career.
One of the topics addressed in this course is personal marketing plan (PMP). When students with the knowledge on how to effectively market themselves get a job, they are more likely to be productive than others. Most employers expect this from their employees. It should be noted that the more productive one is, the more valuable they are to their employer. As the levels of productivity increase so do the level of effectiveness and efficacy. These individuals will the be more accurate in achieving their career goals.
An increase in awareness is observed in most people who have undergone training in professional development ( Reddy, 2017 ). These people can determine the demands of their job sector thereby motivating them to self-develop. Awareness at workplaces can be enhanced by establishing networks with colleagues in the same job sector and will influence a person’s status quo. Therefore, the status quo makes an employee’s position at a workplace stronger (Reddy, 2017).
Mentoring is a form of professional development. By turning to their seniors at their workplaces, employees stand a chance of acquiring knowledge and being better experienced. A mentor could even help one establish a better career path for themselves. Apart from mentorship, one could also choose to go through an apprenticeship. Apprenticeship offers an opportunity to learn skills that could otherwise be difficult to determine on your own.
A study by the National Commission on Writing for America’s Families, Schools, and Colleges on human resource directors found that writing is a high skill and high marker for professionals at a workplace (Open.lib.umn.edu, 2017). It was also found that people who find it hard to express themselves in writing have limited opportunities in getting professional employment.
When people get employed, that is it, but for some, especially those looking to further their career, this is not the end. They always seek promotion. Promotion is in most cases based on employee seniority and the skills they have. However, the professional development also offers a chance for promotion. Based on their increased productivity, employees may be put up for promotion.
In conclusion, a course in Business Communication 690 (BCOM 690): Professional Development seeks to provide the learner with essential skills that come in handy in a professional working environment. It provides for an opportunity of immediate employment while at the same time ensuring one has the knowledge of their career path and can successfully achieve their career goals. It should be noted that professional development does not end in college. It is a continuous process even in the workplace. It is therefore crucial for students to pay attention to the course.
References
Open.lib.umn.edu,. (2017). Why Is It Important to Communicate Well? Business Communication for Success Retrieved 9 December 2017, from http://open.lib.umn.edu/businesscommunication/chapter/1-1-why-is-it-important-to-communicate-well/
Reddy, K. (2017). Importance of Professional Development in the Workplace - Wise Step Wise Step . Retrieved 9 December 2017, from https://content.wisestep.com/importance-of-professional-development-in-the-workplace/
