True learning and professional growth is very much a self-directed endeavor! You choose based on your interests where you want to add to your knowledge, whether via traditional classroom sessions, on-line learning ( short course or higher education programs ), the following of blogs, webinars, Twitter, LinkedIn, or professional organization memberships i.e. networking. When it comes to learning variety is the spice of life. Your career growth depends on your desire to constantly add to your knowledge level and your building of connections internally as well as external to the organization in which you work. This blog is going to discuss different ways to build your professional knowledge and ways to make some connections.
Social Networks
Blogs - Blogs generally share information on a topic or two. They are basically mini web pages, with an opportunity for interaction between all the readers and the writer. How many of you have checked back on your posted comments to see if you have received replies on our blog. Your comments will get replies from me, but anyone can reply to your post or my posts. The conversation within comments is where a blog really comes to life.
Blogs Explained in Plain English!
Twitter - Is basically a mini-blog. Tweets are short and often have photos or links to additional information attached. Since I started working as your training manager, I have taken my personal twitter account into new directions by following people who are involved in the e-learning community, social networking, education in general, basic human resources, and from my following of these folks I have had an opportunity to gain new knowledge in these areas, attend free webinars on topics of interest, and occasionally engage in a discussion on a topic of interest. What are your interests? Who might you follow to build your professional network? Today, I am registered for a free webinar about +Yammer and the value of internal social networks - should be interesting and informative, it will take about an hour of my time and I can enjoy it right on my laptop. I found this webinar on Twitter.
Check out the video below for a basic overview on how Twitter works!
Webinars - We will use Smart Bridget to run our internal webinars. You can go to the Intranet and click on Information Technology and then on web conferencing to learn about this tool and how to use it. There are also many free webinars on line as well as webinars that have a cost. If a webinar has a cost - you would need to do an out-service training request prior to registering.
Wildlife Habitat Council offers on-line courses and webinars on many Conservation topics.
Webinar Portal for Forestry and Natural Resources - multiple organizations add to these Webinar offerings. Many archived Webinars at this site you can enjoy too!
National Recreation and Parks Association - has webinars on a regular basis and their site includes many archived webinars for your viewing pleasure. Many of these are open to the public, but they have some members only webinars too.
Professional Organizations
One of the best ways to develop your career is by joining professional organizations. This gives you an opportunity to expand your network, build connections in your field and gain new knowledge about your profession. Many of these organizations offer training opportunities for members at a discount, conferences, and many more opportunities for career development.
This organization is Maryland based with professionals from across the State. It is the State Chapter of the National Recreation and Parks Association. Learn more about this organization by checking out their Strategic Plan.
Benefits of Membership ( Taken directly from MRPA Website)
Where you're a concerned citizen in a small suburban community or a park and recreation professional in a large urban environment, membership in MRPA ensures access to full benefits and services designed with your specific experience and needs in mind.
Where you're a concerned citizen in a small suburban community or a park and recreation professional in a large urban environment, membership in MRPA ensures access to full benefits and services designed with your specific experience and needs in mind.
- Receive up to date information that can help improve job performance through www.mrpanet.org, the e-Connect monthly newsletter, and the Weekly Update.
- Get breaking news and the latest information about additional funding, easing of administrative restrictions and preservation of the environment as a result of MRPA legislative efforts.
- View state of the art equipment that can save you time, learn new and current management techniques and share ideas with professionals by attending the MRPA Annual Conference at a discounted rate.
- Apply for scholarships to attend a variety of continuing education opportunities to increase your professional knowledge.
- Save yourself time and energy researching hot topics by attending current issues workshops at discounted rates.
- Be part of a ready-made network of fellow professionals to share ideas, solicit advice, or turn to for help.
- Develop skills in management and supervision, become more assertive and forge new professional relationships by taking advantage of leadership opportunities. Get valuable experience needed to move to the next level in your career.
- Participate in a nationally recognized certification program. You'll be seen as an authority on parks and recreation in your local area, and may earn priority consideration when applying for jobs.
- Get quick access to names, addresses and phone numbers of individuals and agencies involved in the recreation and parks industry through the annual Membership Directory & Buyer's Guide, on line and in print.
There are three branches within MRPA that allow you to focus in your primary area of interest. You join these branches as part of your membership.
Park & Resource Conservation Branch - "The Tree Huggers" - most State Park professionals belong to this branch.
Recreation and Leisure Services Branch - A means of sharing innovative ideas and to promote the field of leisure services.
Therapeutic Recreation Branch - embraces the belief that leisure and recreation services should be available to all people, especially those with disabilities and limiting conditions.
See the very end of this Blog post for an opportunity to get assistance with your membership costs for MRPA. We are hoping to increase the number of State Park professionals who are members of MRPA, so we are sharing some incentives at the end of this blog!
This organization expands your network of connections outside of Maryland. They host numerous training opportunities and conferences and offer the opportunity for Professional Certifications. The Maryland Recreation and Parks Association works with NRPA for professional certifications, and provides CEUs at the State level that are valid for National Certification renewal.
There are a ton of on-line resources with NRPA, from blogs to webinars, professional publications, access to conferences, research and more.
Some other professional organizations:
American Trails.org - while not a professional organization they do offer a membership that provides discounts for resource materials and training webinars and seminars.
Alert!
We are offering an opportunity for some MRPA memberships ( discounted by 50%) and one FREE membership! Here's the catch - we need your ideas! The Maryland Park Service would like to have a greater presence in the Maryland Recreation and Parks Association by hosting and providing training opportunities, and presenting at annual meetings and conferences etc. We want your suggestions on trainings and presentations that we might be able to offer to other members of this organization. Post your ideas by clicking on the word "comment" below. We will randomly choose from the posted suggestions for training for the FREE membership! Email me if you are interested in the 50% discount membership - first 20 emails I receive will be submitted for this discount and you will receive instructions on how to take advantage of this offer. rmelton@dnr.state.md.us
This blog was all about connections, I only shared a few, feel free to add some of your connections in the comments - everyone will benefit by expanding their networks!
An idea for a topic, The Park Quest Phenomenon. This one event has become a signature event for the Service and by far the most popular event the service has created in my short career. From the beginning as a grassroots effort in the Eastern Region to a statewide program with corporate sponsors. The development of this type of event can be daunting. Perhaps you can break down the event into the process, so others can create their own event.
ReplyDeleteYou do know that I am going to reach out to Gary for this - as he has a ton of expertise with this program.
ReplyDeleteIf we develop Project Planning Workshops, we would be preparing everyone for the Park Quest Phenomenon. By participating in these structured workshops, everyone would be given the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of how to create a successful Park Quest, so that each park will have its own team of "Park Questers".
ReplyDelete