October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 46

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- to enhance the quality of life for
others by creating and providing extraordinary
experiences.
Whether utilizing professional
associations,
engaging
with
likeminded
groups, or simply communicating
and networking with colleagues,
park and recreation professionals
regularly build each other up.
Like the " Pyramid of Greatness, "
created by the " Parks and Recreation "
character Ron Swanson, the
roadmap helps professionals working
toward the pinnacle of their
career to obtain and use the tools
gained through professional development
in their community and unleash
the full power and benefits of
parks and recreation. The roadmap
can help determine what stage you
are in while providing suggestions
and guidance along the way. Each
stage provides a logical progression
toward development, but as opportunities
may avail themselves, they
are not necessarily accomplished in
any specific order.
The roadmap, structured as a pyramid,
has two focuses: continuous
learning and continuous improvement,
each consisting of four categories.
Herein, continuous learning
is defined as the process of learning
new skills and knowledge on an
ongoing basis, which is voluntary
and self-motivated and enhances
personal and professional development.
Continuous
improvement
is defined as an ongoing effort to
improve yourself and evolve over
time. The professional stage you are
at when starting your career should
not be the same at your career midpoint
or later.
Continuous Learning
Continuous learning is attainable
and
accessible.
All
professionals
are capable of continuous learning
if time and energy are allocated. A
46 Parks & Recreation | O CTOBER 2 0 2 3
mentor of mine once said, " The day
I feel I know it all is the day I should
retire. " We all can agree, especially
given the events of the past few years,
that we always are learning from one
another. For purposes of professional
development, the continuing
learning focus is broken down into
the following: mentoring, education,
certification/accreditation
process
and toolbox development.
Mentoring - As a cornerstone of
career development for many professionals,
mentoring is perhaps the most
accessible learning resource. In most
instances, it's free. Starting off, many
find a mentor in a trusted co-worker
or supervisor, where a relationship is
established to simply observe or ask
the occasional question. As one gains
experience and broadens their network
beyond their own organization
either regionally, statewide or nationally,
you may find a mentor by attending
a conference or participating in a
formal mentorship program, such as
the NRPA/American Academy for
Parks and Recreation Administration
Mentorship Program. This program
pairs hundreds of professionals from
around the country annually who embark
on a guided mentorship journey.
It should be noted that many states
and larger metropolitan areas also
have formal mentoring programs.
Some of the bonds formed during
these programs have led to countless
professional opportunities, including
association leadership, new jobs and
promotions.
Finally, as one finds the comfort
level with the mentor/mentee relationship,
there comes a time to
pay it forward by mentoring others.
There is a quote that states,
" If you're over 45 and don't have
an under-30 mentor - not mentee,
but mentor - then you're going to
miss fundamental shifts in thinking
that are happening. " This concept
| PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
often is referred to as reverse mentoring,
which is key for those who
have been in the profession for a
longer period of time. Mentoring
is an ongoing process that provides
benefits to learn, grow and develop
for both parties in the relationship.
Education - This is one of the
most tangible and common forms
of continuous learning. Upon entering
the workforce, whether with
a degree in parks and recreation or
not, professionals need to continue
to build their knowledge. One
of the most accessible methods to
learn about the field is to read professional
journals, publications and
magazines or be active on NRPA
Connect (connect.nrpa.org). Furthermore,
learning can come in the
form of researching the practices
of
highly
successful
various
professionals,
visiting CAPRA-accredited or
Gold Medal-winning agencies, and
attending
trainings
and
conferences either locally, virtually,
statewide or nationally. These
experiences provide the foundation
for both individual and agency development.
As careers progress, educational
opportunities also can be
obtained through schools and institutes,
such as the NRPA Park and
Recreation Maintenance Management,
Supervisors' Management,
Revenue Development and Management,
and Directors Schools.
Certification/Accreditation process
- NRPA and other professional
organizations have several professional
certification and agency
accreditation programs that can
be used for professional development.
These programs can assist
the professional in adhering to the
highest
operational
standards
in
the industry for both the individual
and agency/organization. While
we may have obtained various individual
certifications - like CPRP/
http://connect.nrpa.org
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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