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