Writing Your Own Ballad: Creating a Professional Development Plan
Sarah Piraino
Kirkshinta Turnipseed
Ramelli Choates
Introductions Definition of Professional Development(PD) Why a PD plan is important Overview of Employment Trends in Higher Education Theoretical Background PD What is a PD Plan? Components of a Good PD Plan Creating Your PD Plan-Competencies Strategies to Get Started Collaborating with Your Supervisor Examples of PD Activities Activity Documenting Your PD Things to Keep in Mind Q & A
Agenda
Professional development is defined as “ the process of improving staff skills and competencies needed to produce outstanding educational results for students” (Hassel, 1999).
Professional development is a philosophical approach, not an event.”The term refers to all activities that increase, enhance, and revitalize the professional knowledge and skills of all campus personnel (http://www.es.vccs.edu/pdf/intranet/professional_development_plan.pdf).
What is Professional Development(PD)?
Why is ProfessionalDevelopment So
Important?
Higher Education Employment Overview
Source: HigherEdJobs, based on U.S. Department of Labor / Bureau of Labor Statistics data(Note: Yellow markers are December data and presented for ease of year-over-year comparison.)
Higher Education Jobs Compared to All U.S. Jobs (Monthly)
Higher Education Employment Overview
Faculty Job Postings compared to Administrative and Executive Job Posting
Source: HigherEdJobs postings from continuing unlimited posting subscribers
Theoretical BackgroundMarcia Baxter-Magolda (2001) identified four
phases in the journey of Self-Authorship: Phase 1: Following Formulas - Young adults follow
plans laid out to them by outside forces, and gain approval from those around them
Phase 2: Crossroads - Individuals begin to recognize that the plans they have followed have not led them to where they want to be. They also become dissatisfied with following others’ plans for them.
Phase 3: Becoming the Author of One’s Life – People recognize their ability to choose their own beliefs and stand up for them, despite outside opposition.
Phase 4: Internal Foundation – Young adults are grounded in their belief systems, and are open to changing their plans to achieve their goals.
Theoretical Background (Cont.)
Nancy Schlossberg (1984) identified four major sets of factors that helps people cope with Transition, which include the 4 S’s: Situation: What was the catalyst for the
transition? Is the transition timely in one’s life? Self: Personal and demographic factors that
influences how a person sees his or her life. Support: The social support that a person has
their lives that will help to make the transition successful (intimate relationships, family units, networks of friends, and institutions and communities).
Strategies: Developing plans that modify a current situation, understand the meaning of the transition taking place, and managing the stress that develops after the transition takes place.
A PD plan is a roadmap to assist you in getting to the next level. The plan should identify goals, growth opportunities and strategies for skill development.
What is a Professional Development (PD) Plan?
A PD Plan includes:
GOALS
I will……….
In what area……..
And then……..
Components of a Good PD Plan
Creating Your Professional Development Plan
Competencies
Technical Knowledge & Skills
Knowledge of Higher Education
Career Advising Knowledge and Skills
Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Foundations Knowledge
Experience that Sets Advisors Apart
College Student Characteristics
Knowledge and Application of Advising Policies
Recognize the value you bring to your boss, students, and your college/university program.
Enhance your status. Nurture and expand your
professional network. Partner with your boss to take on
greater responsibility. Set short-term goals for your
professional growth.
Strategies to Get Started
Consult on an annual basis - Create your PD plan in
consultation with your supervisor Consider ways to collaborate
Collaborating with Your Supervisor
Examples of PD Activities
Activity
Documenting Your Professional Development
Academic Advisor Position, Walden University – Columbia
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serve as the primary guide to ensure that students stay on track to meet their educational goals.
Connect with new students upon acceptance of admission to ensure overall readiness and escalate outstanding matters that would affect their ability to have a smooth and successful start.
Assist students in understanding and completing degree requirements.
Assist students with appropriate course registration.
Advise students on university policies and procedures, program requirements and related academic matters.
Provide comprehensive outreach to students who are at risk of not meeting satisfactory academic progress.
Closely monitor students to proactively identify at-risk scenarios and identify opportunities to develop, implement, measure and improve academic success strategies.
Work closely with university staff to ensure that student inquiries are strategically coordinated and addressed in a timely manner, while supporting academic integrity and University policies.
Cognitively guide students to develop accountability for their decisions and an understanding of how those decisions impact their success.
Experience:
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Minimum 3-5 years experience working in a service-oriented environment or university setting.
Master's degree required
Must have a strong commitment to education and have the counseling or coaching skills required to effectively keep online students on track.
Strong problem solving and time management skills.
Putting Your Skills to Work!
Senior Academic Advisor Position, CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
The Senior Academic Advisor will be required to:
Disseminate information on college and CUNY policies and procedures and stays abreast of changing institutional information including admissions requirements, new programs, course changes, deadlines, important dates, costs, expanding facilities, updates in college-wide initiatives, transfer requirements, and state and federal mandates.
Participate in the development and implementation of group and individual advisement and registration session for all new students (freshmen and transfer).
Work closely with other offices to provide transfer students with timely feedback on credits accepted by the college.
Develop strong relationships with other CUNY community college advisors to help transfer students make a seamless transition to John Jay.
Engage in professional development activities such as, joining professional organizations, staying current with professional standards and literature, and building information technology skills to enhance work performance.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree and four years' related experience required.
OTHER QUALIFICATIONS
Master's degree in student personnel administration, higher education, counseling or related field preferred.
Direct advising experience with one or more of the following student populations preferred: transfer students, disabled students, or students in academic difficulty. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills are required.
Ability to effectively interact with a diverse faculty, staff and student population while representing the Academic Advising Center and the College to internal and external constituents is required.
Putting Your Skills to Work!
Potential Areas to Develop/ Enhance/Explore
Goals: Method/Activity/
Resources to Achieve Goal Target Date Date Completed
Outcomes/ Revisions
Knowledge of Retention & Persistence Theory /At risk students/Best Practices
Develop and demonstrate Knowledge of retention theory/Best Practices
1. Attend conference on Retention 2. Develop tool for program assessment
Knowledge of Budget Preparation and Record keeping
Demonstrate ability to manage budget/finances
1. Manage a dept budget line 2. Take course on budgeting
Institutional Service/Cross departmental Collaboration
Serve on committees in areas of persistence, retention, and graduation rates.
1. Sit on a cross campus committee 2. Develop a cross-departmental plan for
student success
Supervision/Leadership Demonstrate ability to translate college mission and vision Recruit, train and supervise staff and volunteers Show unit leadership
1. Complete StrengthsQuest 2. NACADA Emerging Leaders 3. Supervise student/staff
Strategic Planning Demonstrate ability to strategically develop unit
1. Evaluate unit policies, procedures and systems (CAS)
2. Develop an advising manual/handbook
Program Design Develop new initiative for academic support
1. Develop workshop series for targeted student groups
Reporting/Assessment Demonstrate ability to Prepare reports and proposals (including progress reports, mid-semester reports, annual reports, and statistical summaries)
1. Develop an annual report/unit snapshot
Sample PD Plan
Your PD plan is an evolving document.- it can change as you grow and meet your goals.
Your PD plan should be reviewed and modified annually with input from supervisor and colleagues.
Once you have your plan laid out: Ask Questions! Make every opportunity a learning
opportunity. LISTEN! Don’t forget that whatever you do, you represent your
department and your institution. Don’t join more committees or get involved with more
projects than you can handle. Don’t forget to do your job!
Things to Keep in Mind About Your PD Plan
Complete and review your self assessment
Talk with Your supervisor Set Goals & Create development
activities Create milestones/timeline Review your plan regularly
When You Get Back to Campus
Hassel, E. (1999). Professional development: Learning from the best. Oak Brook, IL: North Central Regional Educational Laboratory (NCREL).
http://www.es.vccs.edu/pdf/intranet/professional_development_plan.pdf
http://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Clearinghouse/AdvisingIssues/portfolioexamples.htm
http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/admin-admired-creating-your-professional-development-plan.aspx &
http://www.housing.umass.edu/employ/rl_rd_profdev.html
Sources
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