Many places of work in today's world require its employees to dress professionally, act professionally, and basically convey professionalism in every spec of their existence. At the WVU Press, this just isn't the case 100 percent of the time. First off, I learned to not overdress while working at the Press the first day I got there when I was wearing slacks, a blazer and a button down shirt and everyone else was in jeans and regular attire. This was not only uncomfortable, but also a little embarassing because I looked so different and stuffy compared to everyone else. I based my attire for the Press off of what I knew of other internships my friends have held, such as at The Dominion Post. The Post requires its reporters to dress very conservativly and professionally at all times. This even applies to when the assignment might not be exactly "professional." For example, a story that requires a reporter to cover a circus in town should not justify the same attire as a reporter covering a city council meeting. Regardless, it is nice to work in a place where the attire matches the overall feeling of the office.
Another part of the culture of any place is the people that you're in close contact with everyday. I work closest to probably one of the nicest ladies I have ever met. She goes by the name of Floanne and is kind of an administrative assistant in the office, but also oversees all of the interns and student workers. She is always available for friendly conversation and is genuinely concerned with how we are holding up in the office. But, like any boss or supervisor, she can be tough. I was actually sitting about three feet away from her the other day when she lit into another intern about not making it into work. After hearing this five minute conversation about whoever this was having a bad attitude and not doing the work she was required to do, I have to say, I never want to get on Floanne's bad side. Ever.
The Site is Up
16 years ago
Thanks for posting these reflections, Amber. You've raised a particularly important point for interns (in particular) to understand -- no matter how the company culture seems to manifest itself (loosey-goosey vs. buttoned-up), each and every company still expects workers to perform to the best of their abilities and to treat their projects, their deadlines, their commitments with respect. In short, each company tries to create a culture in which it thinks its employees can thrive and produce good work, but that final aspect is what's always most important -- producing good work.
ReplyDeleteI was lucky in my guesswork of the attire for my own internship. Mine is at the Colliseum, so I guessed it couldn't be too "suit and tieish." I guessed right. My polo, in fact, was almost too much. (Today, my boss was wearing a Saints, Reggie Bush, jersey.) The fact that their idea of dressy is the same as mine, as I was uncomfortable in my polo, is tremendous for me. Of course, Professor Wible is right and the work produced is the most important aspect of professionalism. But it is great to be able to be comfortable in doing that work.
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