Many workplaces and professions have a code of ethics to guide professionals in ethical decision-making. For example, the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has a Code of Ethics for its members. This code includes values and provisions of conduct. Codes such as this benefit professionals and the profession because they hold practitioners accountable for their actions. However, it is also important for emerging PR professionals to create a personal code of ethics. A personal code of ethics can be defined as a set of guidelines that clarify a person’s values and goals.
The Importance of a Personal Code of Ethics
So why is it important to have a personal code of ethics separate from an organization’s code? For starters, there may be values that are important to you that are missing from the organization’s code. If, for example, integrity is one of your core values but not included in your workplace’s code of ethics, having your own code of ethics to refer to may be beneficial when practicing ethical decision-making. This brings me to my next point: having a code of ethics can support you in making ethical decisions. When we have clear expectations for ourselves, decision-making can be easier, especially in tricky situations. Without outlining values and goals for ourselves, we may find ourselves lacking purpose and unsure about what choice to make. Another benefit of a personal code of ethics is that it can guide you when deciding if an organization is the right fit. If the organization’s code of ethics directly interferes with your code, it may be difficult to feel fulfilled and passionate about your work and, therefore, is likely not the place for you.
Creating Your Own
Creating a personal code of ethics can be complex, especially as a young professional. We’re still figuring out what is important to us and our purpose. To create your own, try sitting down and writing down the values that are important to you as a person. For example, some of my values are compassion, learning, and dependability. From your word bank, write down what exactly these values mean and how they might apply to your career. There is no magical number of values or the right way to go about a personal code of ethics; it’s about staying true to yourself.
There may be more experienced professionals who suggest something that violates your code of ethics. This situation is challenging for a young professional because it is easy to feel like someone with more experience knows what is right. Having your code will guide your decision and even provide a rationale for your choice.
Adapting as You Go
It’s crucial to remember that your code of ethics may change over time as you advance in your career. You may decide down the road that a value is missing from your code. This is completely okay. I would argue that it is a sign of professional growth. Adapting the code of ethics every few years ensures that the code still aligns with you. In short, creating a personal code of ethics can benefit you as a young professional as you navigate your career.