October 2023 - Parks & Recreation - 50

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CPRE, AFO and CPSI - there are
opportunities for continuous learning
through being involved with the
development of these exams; i.e.,
writing test questions, and the administration
of these certifications.
Additionally, governing bodies like
CAPRA and the Council on Accreditation
for Parks, Recreation,
Tourism and Related Professions
rely on practitioners and academics
to oversee these programs. Being a
part of these programs and processes
provides an excellent outlet
for the professional to understand
parks and recreation and its " gold
standards, " as well as provide input
on how to improve each program.
Toolbox development - This
is the last aspect of continuous
learning. Benjamin Franklin stated,
" The best investment is in the
tools of one's own trade. " To be
a successful park and recreation
professional, you need a variety of
tools. However, it should be noted
that as you move up in your career,
those tools will change and evolve.
Toolbox development serves as
a supplemental form of learning
that comes from continuously trying
new " tools. " Professionals in
the early stages of their career can
develop a toolbox by learning new
skills (Canva, Adobe, Excel, etc.),
volunteering
and joining
for special events
professional
social
platforms, such as LinkedIn or
NRPA Connect. As you progress,
this concept continues in the form
of attending organizational board
meetings or being asked to lead
or serve on special project committees.
Learning from these leadership
opportunities
enables
the
professional to gain skills in a safe
environment to use when needed
in
their community. Eventually,
the toolkit grows to a point where
one may develop a visionary proj50
Parks & Recreation | O CTOBER 2 0 2 3
ect or even consult other agencies
with the knowledge gained over the
years through this process.
Continuous Improvement
The second focus area within the
Professional Development Roadmap,
continuous improvement,
presents a different but equally important
set of opportunities. Closely
related and sometimes a byproduct
of learning, improvement relates
to implementing what you have
learned for the benefit of your community
and for your benefit as a
park and recreation professional.
Through the process of continuous
improvement, the professional will
use what they have learned and
contribute to forward-thinking and
cutting-edge approaches to parks
and recreation. To some extent,
the elements in this focus area are
outcomes of learning. However,
the sharing of information from
your learning continues your professional
development journey. Key
elements of this focus area include
applying for and potentially receiving
awards, sharing information
through
presentations,
certifications and embarking on
professional association leadership.
Awards and recognition - While
acknowledgements always are appreciated,
sometimes, awards and recognition
are thought of as impossible to
attain due to all the great work other
park and recreation agencies are doing
around one's region, state and
country. Park and recreation professionals
should not fret about applying.
While a certain amount of time and
effort goes into the process for a quality
submission at any level, as Wayne
Gretzky once said, " You miss 100
percent of the shots you don't take. "
When it comes to awards, put in the
work and take your shot - individual
and agency opportunities alike - be|
PARK S ANDRECRE AT ION . OR G
cause even going through the process
will make you better at what you do.
If you don't achieve your goal the first
time around, learn from it and keep
trying.
Secondly, while receiving awards
is a fulfilling feeling from a personal
standpoint, these awards provide
councils and boards validation of the
work you are doing and the funding
they are providing to your department.
Awards are an important
part of professional development.
However, as one of our peers stated,
" Awards are part of the journey,
not the destination. " A professional
never should rest on their laurels. If
they do, their programs and services
may become stale and not relevant to
their respective communities.
Instruction - For those who have
obtaining
learned so much from others in
their quest to develop their craft,
passing it on through instruction
of their own is a wonderful way
to accomplish individual improvement.
Presenting information is a
hallmark of a highly successful professional.
As professionals move up
the ladder, they are asked to present
to community groups, advisory
councils, boards and commissions.
Starting in safe environments, such
as leading agency meetings and
facilitating
part-time staff
orientations,
is a great way to gain this
skill. This will help you gain confidence
and overcome the fear of
public speaking. Additionally, seek
a friend who will be at your early
presentations to provide constructive
criticism on your presentation
style, eye contact with the audience,
rate of speech and overall content
of your presentation. As you build
your knowledge base and become
a better speaker, seek opportunities
to present at state or regional conferences
or virtual
trainings
that
potentially can lead to presenting
October 2023 - Parks & Recreation

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