NSC 395A - Professionalism: Comprehensive Study Notes

Overview

• NSC 395a focuses on professionalism, soft skills, and site-specific policies.

• Structure of the course content as presented in the transcript:

  • Scenarios illustrating real-world professionalism challenges.

  • Soft Skills: a set of core competencies to develop throughout the semester.

  • Professionalism Policies at Your Site: expected behaviors, appearance, and communication guidelines.

  • Reflection and self-assessment activities to gauge progress.

Scenarios

Irene

• Situation:

  • Irene is excited to participate in her first neighborhood harvest with Iskashitaa Refugee Network.

  • She is a transfer student from Phoenix and unfamiliar with Tucson.

  • She planned to meet the crew at a location on Alvernon and saved details on her phone.

  • Her phone died en route; she could not find a charger in the glovebox.

  • She was alone, had no way to contact her supervisor, felt disappointed, and retraced her route back to campus.

• What she could do differently:

  • Prepare a backup power source (power bank) or a charger for travel.

  • Share location or establish a check-in plan with the supervisor in case communication is lost.

  • Have offline maps or a printed contact list with supervisor and site information.

  • Notify the supervisor in advance if a backup plan is needed or if arrival is uncertain.

  • Consider a buddy system or arranging a quick contingency plan for getting back safely.

  • Ensure there is a signal for emergency contact or campus security if needed.

Brittany

• Situation:

  • Brittany will volunteer at a soup kitchen for unhoused people.

  • She aims to be a private practice dietitian after earning the RDN credential and is not eager to work in food service.

  • She did not take the class seriously and wore a Juicy Couture tracksuit and comfy house slippers.

  • She considered that the clothing with the word "juicy" on the rear might be inappropriate, but her other pants were dirty.

  • She presumed the clients wouldn’t care since she’d be in the kitchen most of the time.

• What she could do differently:

  • Dress in professional, site-appropriate attire that reflects respect for clients and volunteers.

  • Ensure clothing is safe for kitchen tasks (closed-toe shoes, no loose clothing that could catch on equipment).

  • Consider the impression and professionalism required in a service setting, even if not aiming for a long-term food-service role.

  • Discuss dress code expectations with the site supervisor to align with site policies.

Jose

• Situation:

  • Jose was nervous about the volunteer site and did not fully understand the program.

  • He was supposed to meet a worker, Nancy, at a satellite location; he arrived early at 9:55 for a 10:00 appointment.

  • At 10:30, there was no word from Nancy; he left due to work commitments.

  • He felt upset about being stood up and questioned the value of the site.

  • Nancy did not contact him to apologize, and he has not heard from anyone at the site for three weeks.

• What he could do differently:

  • Confirm schedules and contact the site ahead of time (phone, text, email).

  • Bring a backup contact method and emergency information.

  • Document attempts to reach the supervisor and seek a clear point of contact.

  • If there is no response, escalate appropriately (e.g., reach out to a supervisor or the program coordinator).

  • Seek a clear understanding of the program’s goals and expectations before the first shift.

Soft Skills

• The soft skills to be covered this semester include:

  • Professionalism

  • Initiative and Personal Responsibility

  • Setting Goals

  • Time Management

  • Attitude

  • Cultural Competence

  • Communication

  • Teamwork and Dealing with Conflict

  • Decision Making and Problem Solving

  • Gratitude

• Reflection activity:

  • Review the list of soft skills.

  • For each skill, assess your current performance and think of a specific example demonstrating your level of proficiency.

  • Overall:

  • Identify your strongest soft skill.

  • Identify the soft skill you need to improve the most.

Professionalism Policies at Your Site

• Reference: A 1-page handout on D2L for NSC 395A Professionalism Policies.

• The policies cover Behavior, Appearance, and Communication guidelines as described in the following sections.

Behavior Policy

• Treat this like a job because you may want letters of recommendation from your site and/or the instructor.

• Be on time:

  • Always inform the site ASAP if you will be late or absent.

  • Ask who to contact and how much notice is needed.

• Be honest and respectful.

• Maintain a good attitude (assume good intentions).

• Don’t be on your phone during site activities.

Appearance – Clothing & Hygiene

• Wear closed-toe shoes; no slippers.

• Hair up or pulled back; consider hair covering requirements (hats, bandanas, hairnets).

• Maintain good personal hygiene; avoid strong fragrances.

• Clothing should be appropriate for the site and tasks you’ll perform.

• Ask the site about dress code requirements and mask policy.

• Err on the side of cautious/conservative attire.

• Ensure you are covered (no crop tops or tank tops with large arm holes; no short skirts/shorts).

• Avoid clothing with bad language, political statements, references to sex/alcohol/partying, etc.

• Be cautious with slogans or branded clothing.

• Plan ahead and keep spare clothes in the car if needed.

Communication Policy

• Be proactive with communication:

  • Ask questions rather than assume.

  • Do not wait until after something has happened to communicate.

• Ask the best way to contact your supervisor (text, phone, email) and what they prefer to be called (first name or professional title).

• Let them know the best way to reach you.

• Listen—the goal is to understand, not to wait for your turn to speak.

• Speak clearly and enunciate when speaking.

• Use professional language; avoid being too casual in both written and verbal communication.

• Email guidelines:

  • Use your official UA email address (@arizona.edu).

  • Use an informative subject line.

  • Open with an appropriate salutation and close with your full name.

  • Be specific and concise; proofread for grammar, spelling, punctuation; check your tone.

  • Check your email daily and reply promptly (ideally within 1–2 days).

  • Follow up after 2 business days (Mon–Fri, non-holidays).

Questions?

• Check the syllabus (especially pages 8–9) and D2L first.

• For technology problems, contact tech support.

• For a general question (relevant to others in the class): post in the Have A Question? discussion forum on D2L.

• For a personal question (specific to you):

  • Send an email from your UA address.

  • Put NSC 395A in the subject line.

  • Address the instructor as Dr. Friend.

  • Be specific (e.g., the name of the assignment), concise and succinct.

  • Do not email assignments, especially if you missed the submission deadline.

  • Avoid asking for exceptions to clearly stated course policies in the syllabus; exceptions may be granted with proper documentation from the Dean of Students or the Disability Resource Center (DRC).

  • If the question is lengthy, a meeting may be scheduled.

  • Replies may take up to 2 business days.