At Auburn, we have learned to be well-rounded students. We take classes in business, communications, journalism and PR. We are required to do an internship in our field. The program is structured to provide graduates with competence. That is obviously the most important quality in a applicant. The employer has to know that he or she can perform.

But performance alone is not enough. Character and commitment play big roles as well. A new recruit must be teachable, socialable and willing to work hard for the good of the company. It is an internal drive that makes them a great employee.

I have had the opportunity to work in teams both in sports and in class. I think it is obvious when a team member lacks even one of these three C’s. It hurts the whole team if a member isn’t willing to give 100% or does not take constructive criticism well. You are right on the money comparing this to sports. A player might be the most talented receiver on the football team, but if he can’t work with the coaching staff, the quarterback or the other receivers then he shouldn’t play. It’s good to know that employers are looking at the whole package, not just the components.

I too believe that traits of productivity begin to take shape in the home. Parents have a direct impact on their children’s lives. However, I believe that character traits are shaped in other places outside the home as well. Interactions and reactions at school, church, sports and other extra-curricular activities influence the person an individual becomes. Character is learned through reactions to challenges, perseverence through failures and humbleness in success.

Commitment is also learned in various places. Even if it is forced commitment (making your child stick it out in football even though he doesn’t get to play alot), the benefit and value of standing by your word is an important lesson for parents to teach children. I feel that the importance of commitment is reinforced in college, especially at Auburn. In our PR classes, we are assigned to many group projects and must make a commitment to finish what we started with enthusiasm and dedication.

I feel confident in saying that Auburn University is developing talented, competent, commited individuals with unbelievable character. It is my pleasure to study under instructors that believe in those values.

Qualities not of team-building but of leadership…

Think of it this way, I’m sure that Jayson Blair was well-educated. He had to be in order to acquire his positions at the New York Times. Yet, he made some major choices that poorly reflected on his character. Jayson’s professors can’t be blamed for his failures in the business world. Jayson, not his professors, decided to fabricate sources for a story. Now he’s blaming his actions on a mental condition. Whether or not he is in fact manic depressive has little to do with his ethical choices. To me, it just seems like another blame-shifting copout.

Some people have said that you have to first have competence to succeed, but I think that without character the competence is irrelevant. If you are getting ahead by using deviant tactics, the achievement isn’t worthwhile. I would prefer to consider them co-requisites, so to speak.

Like my classmates, I feel privileged to be involved in the program here at Auburn. Although our professors are not responsible for instilling these character qualities, I believe that their individual value systems reinforce what our parents taught us during our adolescent years.

Secondly, having played some college basketball I can truly appreciate the need for all three criteria you outlined: Competence, Character and Commitment. Often times people have one or the other but miss the importance and value of having all three.

My experience taught me that competence is first and foremost in getting your name in the market if you know what you are doing you can successfully tackle most things an employer will throw at you. Character will carry you through when dealing with others and it will be beneficial in teamwork situations. Commitment will show your true dedication to getting the job done and prove to your employer you are willing to go the extra mile. One without the other will leave you and your employer short handed.

I obviously can’t claim to have learned this all on my own and I appreciate that you pointed out most of who we are is developed by our parents and people we interact with at a young age. I am certain that the skills my parents taught me will carry over to other aspects of my life particularly my career, as most of it has already.

Having these criteria and understanding how a potential employer might be assessing these qualities when I am interviewing for a job is very beneficial. Realizing that not only do these qualities have to be present but displayed and carried through on the job as well is useful knowledge.

Thanks for the insight into what future employers are looking for and again for reminding us how lucky we all are to be at Auburn and in a place where the 3 C’s are emphasized.

It is these qualities, competence, character and commitment, which distinguish a career from a full-time job. Any employer would prefer to recruit someone who views the position as a career accomplishment than as a means to get a pay check.

Like you say, at Auburn we truly have learned these qualities. Being a fairly small major within such a large university has provided us with a very unique education. In our sophomore year, we are introduced to about two-dozen peers whom we have classes with for the rest of our college career. All of the students are open with each other and learn from one another talents. We all strive for perfection and compete against each other. The end result is a class of students enriched not only through education by the teacher but through their peer’s knowledge as well.

I guess what I am trying to say is, to be successful at any job, one must possess these abilities that you have mentioned and I truly believe that being a public relations major at Auburn University has further enhanced those characteristics.

My junior year in high school a new varsity coach was hired. She was great and motivated us do our best. But, when tryouts came around she through out the teacher evaluation part because there were girls that were really good but did not have a good work ethic. Obviously, some girls who had been on the team didn’t make and other who hadn’t been on the team made it.

The new girls who only made the team because of their competence were lazy and would show up late for practice. They didn’t understand the importance of character and commitment. And, our coach didn’t either. She only wanted the girls who could perform the best, not the ones who represented the school the best.

During this time I realized how important competence, character and commitment are. Being part of a bad example team has helped me be a better person. I know what it takes to be part of team and what others expect of me. Now, I appreciate those people who possess the three Cs a lot more. They are so much better to work with.

Character, commitment and competence are important characteristics to have when looking for a job and maintaining a job. I believe that the PR program at Auburn is doing a great job of preparing each of us for the real world. We are being motivated daily to build character, be committed and competent. We are all striving to succeed in this field, and each “C” is a large factor in our success.

Growing up, you not only learn about the three C’s from sports and other activities you are involved in, but your family. I agree completely that you learn a lot and develop your character from life experiences and the people you are surrounded with. I know my family, their work ethic, values and lifestyle have influenced me in the way I run my life on a daily basis. It also influences the way I interact with others on a personal and professional level. I hope on day that I am as successful and happy as my parents are.

I agree with Mallory on the whole competence issue being born with. Like she said, being able to sharpen your competence level is key. I don’t know if you are necessarily born with character. I feel like character is something that defines who you are. Your character is what people, such as employers, see in you. When all else fails, your character/reputation is still there with you. Commitment is important in everyday life, just not with jobs. You commitment to school, friends, credit card payments, etc., all help show the type of person you can be.

I definitely agree that if I was a recruiter for anything, I would like at these traits as being the determining factors. Being goal-oriented and having a plan in life helps to build these traits. Upon graduation some will be going to work at companies, while other will be pursuing other degrees. Regardless, having these traits and excelling in them will give you a step above the competition.