Leading with Your Strengths for Professional Development

CDPI Fall Conference

October 22, 2010

Agenda Importance of Professional Development SWOT Analysis Creating your Professional Development Plan CDPI Leadership Panel

Professional Development

SWOT Analysis

My SWOT

Strengths Weaknesses

•Over 6 years experience•Master’s degree•Teaching experience•Leadership•Variety of experience, responsibilities in Student Development•Effective, innovative changes

•Experience limited to small colleges•Manage small staff, small budget•Lack counseling degree

Individual Exercise

What strengths and experience help you to succeed in the Career Services field?

What weaknesses or lack of experience might hold you back in the Career Services field?

My SWOT

Opportunities Threats

•Greater emphasis on outcomes of higher education, graduate success•Others?

•State cuts in funding for higher education•Others?

How does the external environment affect our profession as a whole?

Discussion Groups

What external issues, trends and events present an opportunity for the Career Services field?

What external issues, trend and events present a threat for the Career Services field?

My SWOTStrengths Weaknesses

•Over 6 years experience•Master’s degree•Teaching experience•Leadership•Variety of experience, responsibilities in Student Development•Effective, innovative changes•Grant writing and management experience•Effective partnerships with academics

•Experience limited to small colleges•Manage small staff, small budget•Lack counseling degree•Promoting accomplishments of the office

Opportunities Threats

•Greater emphasis on graduate success in higher education, raising importance of career services•Increasing emphasis on internships•Rise of career classes in curriculum

•State cuts in funding for higher education•Emphasis is first on academics, student services secondary•Outsourcing career services

Professional Development Plan Example

SWOT Analysis Development Goals Ideas & Resources

S: Teaching experienceO: Increase of career courses

Build additional teaching experience

• Teach online, summer course or graduate course• Present conference workshops or webinars

W: Experience limited to small school

• Build management experience• Overcome “small school” limitations

• Volunteer for leadership roles in professional assoc.• Build reputation in industry through presentations, leadership and publications

S: Grant experienceW: Small budget exp.T: School budget cuts

Enhance budget experience and resource management

• Write & manage additional grants• Work on grant committee or treasurer role for professional assoc.

Individual Exercise

Based on your SWOT analysis, brainstorm some professional development goals

CDPI Leadership Panel Facilitator: Anita Yoder

Director of Career Services, Goshen College CDPI President-Elect

Panelists: Kirk Bixler Director of Career Services, Franklin College CDPI Past-President

Liz Bushnell Director of Career Services, Manchester College CDPI President

Nick Haggenjos Director of Career Services Operations and Alumni Relations,

Harrison College CDPI At-Large Board Member

Thanks, everyone!