In a time when ethics play a pivotal role in the work place, the OU Institute for Applied and Professional Ethics sponsored yesterday the first in three lectures on preparing ethically for a first job.

Michael Bugeja, journalism professor and special assistant to the president on ethics, and Glenn Corlett, dean of the College of Business gave a multimedia presentation titled "Preparing for the Work Place: What you need to know about ethics before you get your first job."

Students learned tips on preparing for an interview, adapting to the environment and avoiding conflict at work.

Corporate values and success in the work place go hand in hand, and students should work as hard for themselves as they do for others, Bugeja said.

Companies are impressed by students who develop their own ethics code, which demonstrates responsibility for actions, he said.

Corlett, who developed his own code of ethics throughout his professional career, gave examples of ethical dilemmas he faced while working as an accountant for Price Waterhouse. He applied Bugeja's principles to professional situations such as being asked to use insider information.

Corlet also announced plans to include a code of ethics in OU business students' electronic student portfolios. The portfolios of all business students will be available on the Internet to employers and recruiters in the next few years.

Kris Patterson, a junior telecommunication major, finds the code of ethics interesting and said he will consider adding one to his portfolio.