The Real World 101 Brought to you by: Morris Ellington Professional Development Program Manager

1. The Real World 101 Brought to you by: Morris EllingtonProfessional Development Program Manager UTSA Career Services UTSA

2. The Real World 101 • Many students are not prepared for the “Real World” of work after graduation. • In this presentation, we will discuss… • Successfully transitioning from college to professional life • Doing the things necessary to not only keep, but to succeed in your new career UTSA

3. Take Ownership! • The first 3 – 6 months of your career are critical! • Your boss and co-workers don’t really know you – and this is the time you will be establishing your reputation. • Takeownership in your career and do all the things necessary to build a strong, positive, professional reputation! UTSA

4. The Real World 101 Much of your success in the “Real World” is dependent upon simple, common sense things: • Dependability • Attitude • Job Knowledge / training • Commitment • Avoid negative influences • Fraternization • No “Kissing up” • Establishing your reputation • Learning to work for & with people you dislike • Leadership UTSA

5. Dependability TRUE TRUE or FALSE • More people involuntarily lose their jobs because of poorattendance or punctuality than any other reason. Companies need dependable employees who show up – on time – and work their scheduled hours. Poor attendance and punctuality is critical to any organization’s success UTSA

6. Dependability TRUE TRUE or FALSE • Most absenteeism in all organizations occurs on either Monday or Friday. The vast majority of people who call in sick are not actually ill. UTSA

7. Dependability “80 percent of Success is Just Showing Up” – Woody Allen UTSA

8. Dependability • StepOne in keeping your job and succeeding in your career is disciplining yourself to get to work – on time – everyday. • Dependability is noticed, and is a huge part of career success. • There are always reasons to take days off, show up late or leave early. • In the “Real World” you must accept accountability and ownership for your success and find a way to get to work! UTSA

9. Attitude is Everything • Maintaining a positive attitude is critical to success in any career at – especially your first year. • Things will not always go your way. But in order to be successful, you must consistently maintain a positive attitude towards your job, boss, customers and co-workers. • Having a great attitude is easy during the good times. It’s keeping it during the bad times that separates the successful from the failures. • Remember, YOU choose your attitude – it doesn’t choose you! UTSA

10. Job Knowledge & Training • Knowing your job is a key to success. • It’s not enough to know how to perform your job functions, you need to understand why as well. • Successful people don’t just sit back and wait to be trained. • Accept responsibility for your own training & development. Be proactive and never stop asking questions! UTSA

11. Commitment • One of the biggest reasons people fail in new jobs is they lose sight of the vision – why they pursued and accepted the job in the first place. • If you leave before 12 months you are doing both yourself and your employer a disservice. • The first year – and especially the first threemonths of any new job - is the toughest. You truly will not understand what you are a part of for at least one year. • Make at least a oneyearcommitment and stick to it – no matter how much you don’t like it! UTSA

12. Avoid Internal Factions & “Cliques” • In any work environment there are internal groups, factions & “cliques” • These factions are almost always fueled by negativity towards something – usually the boss. • Although you want to build good, positive working relationships with everyone in your organization, getting involved with these groups can damage your reputation as well as affect your attitude and morale. • Strive to get along with everyone – but avoid these negative situations and groups. UTSA

13. Fraternization = Big Trouble • It is important that you separate your work and social life. • It is common to be tempted to become romantically involved with a co-worker. • Fraternization is ALWAYS a bad idea, and NEVER has a happy ending! • Many careers have been crippled or even destroyed because of this. • Be friendly with everyone, but separate your personal and professional life! UTSA

14. No “Kissing Up” • Your boss is not looking for a “yes” person. • Being an effective employee that is valued by your boss does not mean you will always agree with them! • Good managers value contrary viewpoints and want to hear different viewpoints. • Speak your mind – but do so in a positive and professional way. UTSA

15. Build a Great Reputation • Being a highly respected employee with a solid reputation does not just mean being valued by those above you. • Treat everyone in your organization with courtesy and respect – from top to bottom. • The people below you can be a very valuable asset to your career, and are just as important to your success as the most senior person you work with. UTSA

16. Working with People you Dislike • Over the course of your career, there will be many occasions when you will have to work with – and for – people that you do not personally like or approve of. • If you are to be successful in your career, you will have to learn to handle these situations in a professional manner. Just remember: • 1. It’s business – not personal • 2. It’s not your choice. Your employer does not give you a paycheck to let your personal feelings, attitudes or biases affect the way you perform your job duties. • 3. Learning to build a strong working relationship with people that are different from you is part of career maturity. Just do it! UTSA

17. Leadership • Employers are promoting people faster than ever before. • It is not unusual for a new college graduate to be in a position of leadership and supervising people within oneyear of graduation – or less! • There are no “bornleaders”. Becoming an effective leader is a “learnedskill”. • Many organizations have effective leadership development programs, while others do not. • To be successful, you must take ownership in learning how to deal with people and become an effective leader. UTSA

18. Develop Leadership Skills TRUE TRUE or FALSE • “As a manager, the people you supervise will alwaysbe your biggest challenge.” Handled poorly, the people you supervise will always be your biggest source of problems and headaches. But handled properly, they will be your greatestasset and a key ally in your career success. UTSA

19. Leadership • There are no “born leaders”. Leadership is a learnedskill. • Developing those skills requires an understanding of what motivates people. • It also requires experience. Becoming a great leader takes time. Let’s test your knowledge of a few basic leadership concepts… UTSA

20. TRUE or FALSE • The #1 reason people leave companies is because they were “Bad Hires”. They were not a “Good “Fit” and never should have been hired in the first place. FALSE!

21. TRUE or FALSE • If companies pay more money, more people will stay. FALSE!

22. TRUE or FALSE • Employees emulate their manager’s traits, personality and attitude. TRUE!

23. TRUE or FALSE • If I could survive, you should to! If you can’t hack it, you shouldn’t be here in the first place! FALSE! Today’s new-hires, for the most part, are members of the MillennialGeneration (also known as “Gen Y”). Their ideals and goals are verydifferent than the “Baby Boomers” and “Gen X”

24. Baby Boomer Characteristics (1946-1964) • Invented the 60 hour work week • Career Achievement comes before family & personal interests • Disintegration of the traditional family • Distrust of authority • Idealistic – changed the world (civil rights, rock ‘n roll, question authority) • Measure success based on achievement, position / title, earnings • Motto: “Live to Work” Millennial Characteristics (1980-2000) • Seek immediate gratification – don’t think long term • Family & personal interests comes before work • Work / life balance more important than earnings / wealth • Time is a commodity – more valuable than money • Pragmatic and realistic • Measure own success – based on their values and criteria, not others • Motto: “Work to Live” UTSA

25. Communication Styles DESIRED METHODS OF COMMUNICATING: Greatest GenBoomersGen XGen Y (1922-1945) (1946-1964) (1965-1980) (1981-2000) U.S. Mail Land line phone Cell phone Email Email Text message Wall posts

26. Being Different is Good! • Differences – like those resulting from generational characteristics – are a good thing! • These differences make us unique, and help us see things from differing viewpoints and perspectives. If understood and channeled properly, this is real positive! • Each new generation has different ideals, goals and are motivated differently. Great leaders learn to adapt their style to these differences, while poor managers demand that employees conform to his / her rigid and inflexible style. • Cultural, gender and other differences must also be considered when motivating and leading people. UTSA

27. But Be Aware! • Even though effective leaders learn to adapt their style to different people, consistency in how you treat people must always be maintained! • Different – but equal – is the key! UTSA

28. What is the #1 Reason People Quit? • A. Pay • B. Hours • C. Better Offer • D. Dissatisfaction with Management D. Dissatisfaction with Management People don’t quit the Company, they quit their Manager UTSA

29. Dissatisfaction with Management • Lack of training • Lack of personalized attention from management • Poor example setting / role modeling • Public criticism • Lack of recognition & appreciation • Self-centered management • Mixed signals / contradictions • Intimidation – management by threats & fear • Employee used as a “means to an end” UTSA

30. Financial Impact of Poor Leadership (Turnover) Experts estimate that it costs somewhere between $10,000 - $12,000 to replace one entry-level employee who leaves an organization during the first year of employment. UTSA

31. What Kind of Leader are You? • Most people fit into one of two basic leadership styles –Theory XorTheory Y. • Although some people display traits of both, most people will fall strongly into one of these two management styles. • Let’s look at the basic philosophies of each… UTSA

32. Theory X vs. Theory Y Theory X Managers believe: • The average person has an inherent dislike of work and will avoid it when they can. • Because of their dislike for work, most people must be controlled and threatened before they will work hard. • The average person prefers to be directed, dislikes responsibility, and desires security above everything. • The most effective way to manage people is through fear, threats and intimidation. UTSA

33. Theory X vs. Theory Y Theory Y Managers believe: • The expenditure of physical and mental effort in work is as natural as play or rest. • If a job is satisfying, then the result will be commitment to the organization. • The average person learns, under proper conditions, not only to accept, but to seek responsibility. • The most effective way to manage people is through high expectations, positive reinforcement, and employee involvement in the decision making process. The most effective way to manage people is through highexpectations, positivereinforcement, and employeeinvolvement in thedecision making process. UTSA

34. Theory X vs. Theory Y STATED SIMPLY: • Theory Xmanagersmakepeople do things. • Theory Ymanagers make peoplewantto do things. Motivated employees who like and want to do their job will always perform at a higher level than employees who do the job because they are forced to. UTSA

35. Theory X vs Theory Y Management • All managers are eitherTheory Xor Theory Ymanagers and, again, some display characteristics of each. • By better understanding this technique, managers can begin to discard badTheory Xhabits and more successfullychannel their energies into being effectiveTheory Ymanagers. UTSA

36. 10 Simple Steps to Effective Leadership • Teach – share your knowledge. People want to learn and depend on you to teach them. • Be positive – always. Attitude is everything in leadership. • Get to know your people – show a personal interest in them. • Be a mentor and role model – set the example. • Honesty & Integrity = Loyalty & Respect • Take ownership in their career – show the way • Be connected to the “pulse” of your people and business • Be flexible – adapt your leadership style to different generations, cultures and changing times. • Praise and recognize – at every opportunity • Practice the “Golden Rule” of leadership UTSA

37. In Conclusion… “There are many aspects to Effective Management; Leadership is #1, Everything else is #2” UTSA

38. THANKYOUand Good Luck! Morris EllingtonProfessional Development Program ManagerUTSA University Career Center www.utsa.edu/careercenter UTSA