PD-101
That's how the course was listed on the syllabus. I had no idea what the course was about but I knew that it was a required course for all freshman like me at South Carolina State University.
The course was called Professional Development-101. The course is the most important course that I ever took in college. The course taught me principles that I still carry with me to this day...being professional, how to dress/conduct my self on an interview, how to use the correct silverware at a business dinner, etc.
I wish everybody could take that course. In fact, we had to come to class (held once a week), dressed up! If you didn't come in a shirt and tie...no dice. You couldn't get in the classroom.
The reason I'm telling y'all about PD-101 is because I went to a job fair yesterday. The job fair was hosted by the minority professional group. 90% of the people who showed up... were dressed nice and looked good. But the other 10%...*sigh*...they looked horrible. Lemme recap what I saw...
a dude with a Chad Johnson football jersey on...
a chick with her arms exposed with the word "SEXY" tattoo'd on her forearm...(And she wasn't even sexy)...
a dude with a Braves hat AND a doo rag...
a chick with 8 inch pumps...looks like she borrowed the shoes from a stripper...
a dude with a white t-shirt and gray sweatpants...
a chick who brought her 2 year old child with her...
there were countless others in jeans and sneakers.
C'mon black people.
A job fair/interview is the time that you have to sell yourself! You can't sell yourself to a company if you look a fool!
PSA from 12kyle...
1. Throw on a suit, pantsuit, or some other business attire
2. Make sure that your hair is groomed. Personally, I would recommend cutting dreads and beard but that's up to you.
3. No short skirts
4. No kids
5. Look like the CEO and you'll say a lot about yourself
6. Greet everyone with a firm handshake
7. Make eye contact, smile, nod your head.
8. If you get a business card, follow up with a thank you letter or card.
Everybody didn't take PD-101. I feel blessed that I did. I'd be remiss if I didn't pass on my info on to my people. I know that most of you reading this know where I'm coming from.
I hated seeing that 10% today.
We've gotta do better than that.
