Punctuality and Professionalism Completing tasks on time and in a professional manner are two crucial qualities imperative to success throughout one’s path through an educational system which naturally carries into the workplace. An educational setting such as a higher education institution provides excellent outlets to hone these important skills. Service organizations, student government, and fraternities are perfect examples where these traits are implemented and attained. When I think about professionalism one of the first things that comes to mind is punctuality. What is punctuality? According to Wikipedia punctuality is the characteristic of being able to complete a required task or fulfill an obligation before or at a previously designated time. The importance of completing tasks on time coincides with professionalism greatly. In the work place you can lose a job due to the lack of punctuality. Employers are looking for someone who has the ability to get work assignments done in a timely manner in order to run a smooth business. To be punctual is to be professional. Lets say someone owns a business and promises a customer that a product that they ordered from their company will be done on a certain date. If the business owner does not provide the product on the said date then it is a major probability that the customer will not return to that business and will also go back and share her negative encounters with the company with other potential clients causing the company to lose a lot of future business. If we look at other examples such as students turning in assignments to a teacher or a professor we see that the consequences of not being punctual may vary but they still aren’t good ones. A student that isn’t punctual will eventually find their self stuck between a rock and a hard place. If you are punctual you can also show other that you are in control of your own life. Customers like to know they can trust the companies they hire to do business. In life we run into due dates everywhere and we should make it a habit to meet those obligations at said time. Nothing good can come out of being late to an appointment, turning in a schoolwork assignment after the due date, finishing a work project late, etc. All in all punctuality shows integrity in your life. Being late is never fun nor the smart choice to make. First of all it makes a bad impression weather it’s attending a doctor’s appointment or a job interview. Being late is a sign of disrespect towards the business or program that you may be meeting with. This comes off as a lack of dedication and strong disrespect, particularly when it is something really important such as a job interview or a meeting. Consequences can range from a detention for high school students to getting fired from your job. You’ll be surprised of the many consequences people have suffered all because of being late. I once arrived fifteen minutes late to a job orientation and I immediately lost the job. I went
