Outcomes of Student Professional Development Experiences

“Everything Matters” was this year’s theme for the Jubilee Conference. A team of Messiah students left at 10am on a Friday morning heading towards Pittsburgh, PA. Throughout the rest stops and the constant singing, we discussed what we would expect and the issues we could address upon returning to campus. So, what did I expect? I expected a room full of students from various disciplines and walks of life all united by our common faith in God. What I did not expect was entering a conference gaining professional networking skills, how to become a “storyteller of the past”, and how to be a humble, patience, efficient, and effective leader.

With me on this trip were several student leaders throughout the Office of Multicultural Programs from our multiple student organizations as well as our advisor Scott Hwang. Outside of the common gathering center was an array of organizations and colleges and universities tables. We were able to network and talk to graduate admission counselors, find local summer job opportunities, and connect with post-graduate organizations. The conference even challenged students to “sell themselves” by hosting a friendly competition on who was able to professionally connect the most with these various organizations and schools. As a history major, I was able to attend a session by Dr. Eric Miller of Geneva College on “Telling the Story of the World”. In a room full of future historians we were taught how to not only do history, but how to be a successful historian as we face graduation and begin to look towards graduate schools and professional jobs. This lecture provided me with great lessons as I began my graduate schools interview. Dr. Miller also taught up great secrets in securing funding for graduate school and making the most out of our undergraduate history degree. Through this conference, I gained a greater sense of how to become a historian pursuing graduate work. As I expanded my academic and professional experience, I began to even further grow in my leadership.

Being the school’s Vice President of Diversity Affairs is no simple task. Throughout the constant meetings and evaluations, I am constantly left with the issue of connecting six cultural based student organizations to the entire campus. At Jubilee, I had the privilege of attending two sessions, ‘Discovering the Beauty of Ethnicity and the Fragility of Pride’ and ‘The Best of Times, The Worst of Times: Life as a Black Christian on a White Campus’. I found with these informational sessions that we must first take a step back before moving forward. It was a humbling lesson because I am constantly looking for ways to push forth this alternate chapel or propose this change without first stepping back to assets and take note of the various needs beginning within our own office and our own students. The second session spoke greatly about microaggressions, a big issue on our campus. During this session there was an even bigger movement stirring at many colleges and universities with powerful campaigns against microaggressions. Both of these sessions gave me efficient tools on how to address issues as a Christian attending predominately white colleges and to pass on what I learn to future leaders.

This past weekend, I attended the PAFCS Annual Conferences at the Marriott in Lancaster County.  At this conference I had the opportunity to network with many other Family and Consumer Sciences majors, teachers in the field, and other professionals.  I gathered many materials and resources that will help me become a stronger professional and will aid me as resources for within the classroom.  Additionally, I attended workshops that informed me of the many areas of specialization within the field of Family and Consumer Sciences, the issues concerning our state and our content, and the strengths and resources we have at our disposal.

This information will be very helpful as I search for a teaching job this year because I have made several connections with different school districts as well as professional organization that will help me maintain my own level of professionalism.

Today more than ever, it is important to remain relevant and current in our content areas, and attending this conference was one method for me to maintain this goal.  Thank you SGA for helping make this possible!

The Pennsylvania Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (PAFCS) is an association created with the purpose to improve the quality and standards of individual and family life through programs that educate, influence public policy, disseminate information and publish research findings. This association firmly supports professionals who strive to achieve their purpose as leaders in their communities.

At the 90^th PAFCS Conference, I was provided with multiple tools and opportunities to advance my future profession and achieve the goal of enriching my students and community with the purposes of PAFCS. At the conference I was able to attend sessions that provided me with information for teaching strategies, lesson planning and opportunities to provide my students. It was great to be surrounded by professionals who enjoyed Family and Consumer Sciences and have the same passion for teaching as I do during each session and event during the conference.

My favorite part of the conference was networking. Even though I am still a year out from entering the work force, I gained multiple connections with not only educators but businesses that are connected to my field of study. For example, I connected with a representative from RealityWorks, who provides baby stimulators for FCS teachers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware. He is able to get me connected to FCS teachers in all of those states, and provided me with opportunities to be able to provide this baby stimulator for my future students. Attending this conference broadened my horizons as a future FCS educator, provided me with opportunities to connect with future job possibilities and introduced me to new ideas to incorporate into my classroom one day.

Last week I had the incredible opportunity to attend the RISE conference (Redefining Investment Strategy Education) hosted by the University of Dayton. My ability to attend this conference was largely due to the generous support of SGA’s Professional Development Grant which helped pay for some of my expenses. While attending the three day conference I had the ability to listen to several great speakers, sit in on various panel discussions, and speak with other students and professionals about many hot topics surrounding today’s world of investments. I was also there as a representative for the Messiah College Investment Club, which is a club on campus that actively manages a portfolio valued over $200,000.   

Having this experience was very influential in my learning at Messiah College. Striving to work in money management, this opportunity allowed me to take my education to the next step. With incredible guest speakers such as the Head of Cleveland’s Federal Reserve, Sandra Pianalto, and host of the CNBC show “Mad Money”, Jim Cramer, I was able to learn so much.

I also had the unique chance to talk one on one with many professionals that were only several years out of college but already becoming very successful in their line of work. Through these interactions I was able to ask for advice and tips on what things I can currently be doing to better prepare myself for working in money management.

On the last night of the conference, I attended a networking event where I was able to speak with other student investment managers about how their clubs functioned and ways to improve the club for everyone.

This conference was extremely beneficial to my professional development. It has greatly increase my confidence in myself as a student investment manager, provided me with investment knowledge I couldn’t have learned elsewhere and given me ideas on what I can do next to get to reach my goals. I am so grateful to have had this experience and am very thankful for Messiah’s willingness in supporting my goals and helping me further my education.