Modules 1 1st Campus and Online sessions - Conversations about Professionalism

Part 1 of Module 1 is about professional communication - so the discussions for this session have ben around defining what it means to be a 'professional'. We also discussed what is expected in the module. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Conversations are below - and there are links to people's blogs that will be added to... PLEASE ADD COMMENTS - to add to the discussion - and links to your won blogs for Part 1!

Conversations from 23/2/15 Campus Session

Introduction

Module Handbook/Reader

What do you want to get out of the session?

Theme for the day: What does it mean to be a professional?

Starting points?

Amateurs versus professionals?

What is your area? Your field? your sector?

Some definitions for experts?

What are your definitions?

Criteria for being a professional?

Group exercise – create a blog that discusses this –co-created.

Relat4e this to professional communication? Discussing the tasks in part 1

What is a Professional? (the conversation noted in writing on flipchart)

Starting points:

What is the difference in being a professional versus amateur? – it is about the mindset – having a disciplined approach to the craft – being driven – wanting  to have the responsibility and being aware of responsibility  (through training or experience). This could mean a responsibility to others in theatre/production company or students if you are a teacher

knowing your limitations – being able to communicate problems – being able to know when to ask for help versus having this negatively impact on work – working within a ‘schema’ – codes of practice

professional within self – - the individual - self and communities – this applies to professional work that is ‘portfolio’ arts based  - so freelancer contracts – 3 months jobs-  auditions – time management is key

sizes of workplaces might vary in the arts – many are small medium enterpirses (SMEs) – but they could be huge – there might be a hierarchy within the company

using social media – you need to be cautious – you need to have awareness because of prospective employers

big vs. in workplace – clients - boss –peers/colleagues, clients – project to project e.g. commercial brand, ad agency , casting, have the potential of social media contacts grow and grow – others might perceive what you saying differently – they have varying opinions  - agents – back stage - casting - contracts

not all professional follow a prescribed route – ex. being an assistant choreographer before being a choreographer

social media sites can vary - FB groups – experience – Brit Acting Network, The Hustle

Honesty – how to judge versus opinions – lead to knowledge

Honesty – ethics– As a professional, how honest can you be?

Professional – depends on age

Being honest can be hard – you are you own biggest critique- company – business clients – diplomacy- personal opinion – arts – voice

Knowledge underpins practice

Ex you could consider yourself as a singer – but be trained in in many differing  art forms (triple threat)

Arts professionals - other –communicate – actor

Actress basic knowledge –

Knowledge of strengths and weaknesses

Theory of knowledge of plays – may not be better – where is the line? Not your place?

Being a professional is about the MINDSET

Training or experience?

Structured career?or experience? Structured career?

NO!!  used to think so but not anymore!

Arts –no structure to career path - but it is all RELATED ! 

Examples of defining professional criteria? 
SEE BELOW and as a comment
http://lisameiklejohn.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/first-campus-session-what-is.html

Formal definitions

Eraut’s 3 P’s

Propositional – what you know – Process- know-how about getting the job done Personal – self- directed experience you bring to what you do

By Michael Eraut Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence (1984)

A slidesshare from Tim Goodchild has these as part of looking at the nature knowledge

http://www.slideshare.net/timgoodchild/the-nature-of-knowledge-2014

There is loads more about Eraut if you google him...

Friedman 2001 p. 127 (homage to Alan Durant – from his notes 2009)

Professional Traits and Characteristics

Specialised work – what knowledge /skills are held/practiced?

Longevity - does Professional practice require sustained engagement?

Exclusive jurisdiction/professional discretion- knowledge is owned/controlled by the profession

A sheltered position- privileges from being the professional

Formal training – skills and knowledge required

Stratified Career – established career routes?

Community of practice – is the practice co-structured by practitioners?

Ethical principles and actins – constraining practice – whose interests? values

Arts professionals – do they have (homage to Peter Bryant – from his slides 2009) Unesco 1980 “ Any person who creates or gi ves expression to, or recreates works of ar, who considers his artistic creation to be an essential part of his life, who contributes in this way to the development of art and culture and who is or asks to be recognized as an artist, whether or not he is bound by any relations of emplyement of association”

Stan Lester ‘On professions and being professional

Stan Lester Developments, Taunton, UK This version June 2010.
A good article about professionalism – look at the Model A and Model B types toward the end  to think about what type of professional you want to be…

http://www.sld.demon.co.uk/profnal.pdf

Please leave comments or links to your blog!

FYI I am still adding to this so please revisit the blog later...