What has changed for you this year? Your habits? Your attitude towards work? What time you wake up in the morning?
At the end of every day I ask myself, “What did I do today to improve?”
Most days, I can give a good answer. But this year, I wanted to transform ‘good’ to ‘great’ and utilize my time better.
Coming up with professional development goals is extremely exciting for me because it’s a new start, a fresh look on the year. It helps me understand where I should spend my time.
Though I’ve ‘moved on’ from student affairs and now work in higher ed technology sector, I still utilize pieces of the NASPA/ACPA competencies framework to inform my practice in a myriad of ways.
I love NASPA/ACPA competencies because it can serve as a proverbial push to have a much needed conversations. You might talk with your boss, supervisor, or direct report about skill development and professional development. It can incorporate both personal goals and professional goals, making it a living document that people can refer back to throughout the year.
Read on to see exactly how I plan my goals and measure my success around Tech.
Feel free to share any thoughts on how you’ve gone about setting your own goals around the NASPA/ACPA competencies and what you plan to accomplish in 2017!
Creating A Technology Plan
Early on in my professional career, I was taught to self-manage. If I wanted to go somewhere, I often reflected on my own about how to get there and resources I needed. Then, I proceeded to reach out and find mentors in those areas.
I’ve always hated the thought of being idle, running on cruise control. I hate not engaging myself fully in the work in front of me.
When I was presented with this helpful document in graduate school, I outlined my professional development to a “T.” Immediately, I knew this was something that would impact the way I build my career. At the time, there was not a Tech competency.
Last year, I was excited utilize the Tech competency into my professional development plan. Here were some of my goals that I’m excited to say I achieved:
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that I obtained this amazing framework from Dr. Annemarie Vaccaro and the faculty at the University of Rhode Island College Student Personnel graduate program. They have profoundly impacted my development in higher ed.
My relationship with technology has always been a positive one. When I met Dr. Ed Cabellon my sophomore year at Bridgewater State, he was changing the way people interacted with tech. He encouraged me to re-frame how I could connect with people to build strong relationships online.
With practice, I began to connect with students and people over tech so well (Twitter, LinkedIn, and my blog at the time) that I ended up landing three jobs over the course of a few years. One of the jobs being the one I’m at now, at Presence.
The turning point for me was realizing tech gives most of us the opportunity to do amazing things.
We have the option to choose what we do or don’t do.
We have the option to guide our own learning with professional frameworks available to us.
Do you want to learn Twitter? Do it! It’s possible if you choose to put in the work.
Do you want to learn about a job in another part of the country? Do it. You’ll be amazed at who you can connect with and meet over social media.
Do you want to do and be someone you’re not today? Spend time evaluating where you are and where you want to go.
Finally, one of my favorite quotes that inspires me to progress in my goals is by Shel Silverstein:
“Listen to the MUSTN’TS, child,
Listen to the DON’TS
Listen to the SHOULDN’TS
The IMPOSSIBLES, the WONTS
Listen to the NEVER HAVES
Then listen close to me-
Anything can happen, child,
ANYTHING can be!”
Your Thoughts!
What goals do you have planned for 2017? Do you use a type of framework like the one above? If so, has it helped you achieve your goals? How would you like to incorporate the Tech competency into your current work?
I’d love to hear from you. Tweet me @kayleyrobsham to continue the conversation.
Thanks for reading!
This post is part of our #SAcompetencies series for February. Ever wish you knew then what you know now? #SApros pay it forward to #SAgrads looking for advice on soft skills and professional competencies before they job search this spring! For more info, please see Kim Irland’s intro post. Be sure to check out the other posts in this series too!
