Written by: Gianna Rose D. Basilio
The Junior Financial Executives of the University of Baguio (UB-JFINEX) took the lead in empowering future professionals by hosting a timely seminar entitled, “Work Smart, Work Right: The Etiquette Blueprint” on April 28, 2025, at the UB AMS Hall. This insightful event aimed to equip participants with a comprehensive understanding of professional etiquette, emphasizing emotional intelligence (EQ) as a cornerstone for navigating workplace dynamics with grace and effectiveness.
The event kicked off with an engaging and thought-provoking icebreaker: a “3 Pics 1 Word” challenge centered around key aspects of work etiquette. Participants enthusiastically deciphered visual clues related to professionalism, teamwork and respectful communication, sparking lively discussions and setting an interactive tone for the seminar ahead.
The seminar provided a focused exploration of essential work etiquette principles through interactive discussions expertly guided by Dr. Ruby Buccat. An esteemed expert in Financial Management and the dedicated adviser of the Junior Financial Executives, Dr. Buccat holds MBA, LPT, PhD, and DBA degrees. Her extensive experience as the Program Chair of Business Administration in the School of Business Administration and Accountancy enriched the session, providing participants with practical insights and valuable guidance on navigating professional environments with confidence and integrity.
When you start your internships and after you graduate, Dr. Buccat emphasized, “remember how important that first impression is, the way you act and look at the beginning really shows supervisors, coworkers, and future bosses how they will see and treat you later on. It dictates, in many ways, how you will be perceived and treated as you move forward in your professional journey.” Dr. Buccat then made it clear that being emotionally smart is becoming more and more important when you first meet people for work. She said that even though your job skills and grades are still important, some firms are now really paying attention to your emotional intelligence. This encompassed the ability to navigate one’s own emotional landscape and to adeptly recognize and respond to the emotions of others. Individuals who demonstrated self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and robust social skills were the ones poised to navigate the complexities of the professional world with greater ease, forge stronger connections with their peers, and contribute meaningfully to a positive and collaborative work environment.
During the Q&A session, the participants’ engagement took a particularly insightful turn and raised a pertinent question regarding the rights of future employees during the application process. The query specifically addressed whether job applicants could decline to answer personal questions posed by human resource personnel that were deemed irrelevant to their qualifications and the requirements of the job. This sparked a meaningful discussion about the boundaries of permissible inquiries and the importance of respecting the privacy and dignity of every individual seeking employment.
The UB-JFINEX seminar significantly contributes to SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth -by focusing on essential aspects of work etiquette and emotional intelligence, the event aimed to equip soon-to-intern and graduating students with the interpersonal skills necessary for navigating professional environments effectively.
The discussions highlighted the importance of making positive first impressions, fostering respectful workplace interactions, and understanding the rights of job applicants to fair and relevant questioning during hiring processes.
