WLUGSA PD Survey Results 2014/2015 1. How old are you? Range 21-54 2. What campus do you reside on? 4% Brantford, 13% Kitchener, 53% Waterloo, 10% None 3. What is your program? Wide range 4. What is your current year of study? 6% incoming Masters, 1% incoming PhD, 28% Master s 1 st year. 18% Masters 2 nd year. 5% Master s 3 rd Year, 2% PhD 1 st year, 11% PhD 2 nd year, 2% PhD 3 rd Year, 2% PhD 4 th year, 2% PhD 5 th year, and 2% other 5. What does PD mean to you? Developing my skills to ensure I can secure employment after I graduate. Means a way to broaden your abilities to make you more marketable and skilled for future work and job opportunities. na Programs to enhance my knowledge, skills and/or practice Acquiring practical skills, knowledge and training specific to my profession that adds to my ability to engage in my profession. Professional development refers to the acquisition of skills and knowledge, both for personal development and for career advancemen (source:wiki, 2014). Improving knowledge and skills related to the workplace, not typically learned through an academic program. opportunities to develop specific skills that make me a more employable and aware social worker
Building skills related to academic life and deployable outside of academia. Learning information that is directly applicable to my clinical practice. Learning about resources available for work in research, teaching, and administration/service, and help with designing courses, getting work published (in journals and in book form), working on the dissertation, and getting funding for one's research. Honing professional skills (writing, presentation, etc...) Working on skills to acquire a job (interview, CV) Expanding knowledge of career options/ opportunities Opportunities to enhance current skills; learning complementary skills (etiquette for professionals; using Excel; any additional teaching skills; virtually anything that contributes to further professionalization). Participating within the field, such as conferences and publications For me, professional development presents the opportunity to gain skills and knowledge, both for potential career advancement and personal growth, which can continue throughout one's life. As a graduate student, I see professional development at this stae, as a period during which I hope to gain the skills and knowledge, such as how to optimally network with others, to become an autonomous professional in my current field as well as to broaden my skill set so that I may fit in other fields as well. Strengthening skills that are immediately applicable to career development in the short term. Strengthening my professional skills and tool box to become a more holistic practioner The ability or opportunity to improve and work on ones professional standing, or skills and experiences that can impact professional standing. It means that I am well prepared to join an organization in the field I am studying. I have both theoretical knowledge and practical skills as well as connections in the field. Workshops, Training, etc. Improving one's skills with regards to the workplace and practical work knowledge. It consists of informative sessions where knowledgable individuals educate us on specific topics. becoming familiar with interview skills resume writing gaining skills and knowledge for personal development as well as for my career how to maintain professionalism in a working environment developing good work ethics
Learning career skills, and learning to transfer your academic skills to a non-academic context, as well as presenting those academic skills as beneficial to a non-academic employer. Learning new skills that can be applied both during/after university, and are academic, career oriented, skills-based and/or personal growth. A chance to gain knowledge and skills that complement my learning Developing professional skills to use at school, and also for careers and networking. continued learning in area of interest The development of transferable, sometimes marketable, skills that shape your ability to effectively navigate and succeed within the professional workforce. A way to boost my existing skills to fit the future job market. How to find a job better Professional development is about acquiring the skills and knowledge that will help further my career goals (increasing my employability) as well as my own personal development. Transferring my academic qualifications into skills that are meaningful to employers. It means being able to move up professionally in your field. Acquiring skills in a more formal, structured way. Obtaining skills for a full-time job or developing skills to excel in a professional/academic environment. Professional development means that one actively pursues a way to better their professional life whether it be through orientation seminars, career workshops etc. Professional developments is the way in which an individual goes about creating a name for themselves as well as advancing professionally to the best of their abilities. To be professional or expert in my field. It means having opportunities to expand my skill set. Being able to extend my learning opportunities outside of the workplace Opportunity to explore and strengthen new skills Developing skills that make us feel competent and confident in the 'real world' Learning how to be a stronger leader, harder and more efficient worker and understanding and discovering your career path Developing one's communication skills, analytical skills, and the ability to work with time constraints. To me, Professional development means to me, working towards acquiring new skills and developing within the field of study or profession in which you wish to work in.
Professional development requires opportunities to explore many different venues and applications of your profession. It is supposed to facilitate learning and develop strategies to use when representing your profession. Opportunities dedicated to enriching one's professional life's goals through training, lectures, conferences, etc. Any skill that allows you to be successful in the work place Getting a job. To develop and/or improve upon employable skills that will assit you throughout your working career (whether entering the work force or seeking a promotion, etc.) Professional development means acquiring and honing a skill set that allows me to engage with my peers, professors, and other university staff in a professional manner within an academic context. These skills will also enable me to interact with other proessionals and develop a network of professional supports and connections that will assist me with a future career in academia. networking and making the connections I will need to find a career once I graduate Applying educational experience to job experience Development of skills and experiences required to excel in further schooling (ex. PhD) or employment opportunities related to my field It means developing new professional skills through training and workshops. It is an opportunity to prepare for the workforce and make your self more marketable. It is an opportunity that is rarely free outside of school. Creating a personal brand, building a resume and personal profile, networking skills, honing in on what it is I am looking for within a workplace as well as developing what I can bring to it Preparing students for the professional world - how to interact with colleagues, present yourself accurately and professionally, etc. It means learning the skills and forming the attitudes that help me better fit into the workplace. They are also tools that assist in achieving my career goals I means I am able to get tips and tricks for success when it comes to groups, presentations and writing formats. Growing and exercising a skill set required to attain a professional job post-grad. Helping sharpen skills that I need to use in a professional environment same as GSA definition plus being able to transfer academic skills 6. Please drag the slider to the position on the scale that most accurately reflects your option on the following (slider from 1 (Not at all important) - 50 (Neither Important nor Unimportant - 100 (extremely important): How
important is your professional development for your graduate student experience? Range from 20 to 100, 4% said 75, 10% said 80, 7% said 85, and 16% said 100. 7. Are you interested in enhancing your PD skills? 77% said yes, 2% said no, and 21% abstained 8. If no, Please outline why you are not interested in your own PD? Timing and Cost. I also live out of time...in Hamilton, ON...so do not make the drive in to attend. Time constraints of full time work, part time studies, and family. Low priority and lack of interesting opportunities. COST Unaware Timing timing, focused on teaching rather than research and publication Unaware, lack of time I am just beginning the program and am not yet away of all that it offers UNAWARE Timing Just got here. I was unaware of the opportunities Timing, not a priority in my first year. Just began the program. Mainly just did GPSS and learned about them. first year Not aware of this. Often times I end up not attending these types of events because I find out about them at the last-minute and it can no longer fit in my schedule. Timing Just moved to Waterloo Nothing so far? Just started my MSc, unaware
unaware Unaware of some of the opportunities, personally, I have found the GSA to be incredibly proficient in getting their activities across and accessible. Unaware Timing. I intend to participate more in the future. Timing is the main issue Unaware. I unaware of the available opportunities Unaware Timing - ~5pm on week nights Timing - too much commitment Timing timing and cost First year at Laurier timing - I have just started school here this September Not enough motivation. New to Laurier this year. 9. Are you aware that Laurier provides you opportunities for PD? 49% said Yes, 23% said No, and 28% abstained. 10. If yes, Please list the opportunities your are aware of (chances to list 5) Career development certificate, resume writing, dining etiquette, networking events University Teaching Course Teaching in the International Classroom MITACS Skills of Communications Diversity, Equity and Social Justice program Project management GPSS career centre, educational development -I am a part-time student and nothing happens on the night I am on campus
Format -very little is available via podcast or webcast Career Centre events and GPSS. career center events Dining Etiquette Career Centre Events Career Centre events, PRISM courses Professional Dev't Lecture series Social Work talk Series Teaching Centre Aspire, 2 day workshop Career Centre events I completed the five workshops offered by the Career Development Centre to receive my Career Development Certificate. Webinars Teaching in the canadian classroom w/ nadine lagros GPSS, will be starting UTC program. Cost - free Mandatory student orientation seminar. ASPIRE, career centre (have career development certificate) and MITACS (project management foundations 1). provided through MBA MBA Professional Development with Leah Young. Career Center Events Career Centre events and also the sessions with Leah have been amazing! Career Centre Teaching Certificate na Inclusive, equity & diversity courses Graduate Studies orientation Communication GPSS Workshops UTC can't think of anything at the moment! Foundations for New Faculty career center resume workshops Dining Etiquette career centre workshops Resume Writing PRISM courses in Microsoft Excel / Bloomberg Professional Dev't Series Lectures
Addictions Training PD opportunities available through the FSW Social Work Talk Series University Teaching Foundations PD Courses Career Centre related Aspire ASPIRE Co-op center career planning workshops offered through the Career Development Centre Aspire MA Teaching certificates Webinars workshops TA workshops UTC writing help job fair TA training TA workshops Mitacs workshops Resume Review MBA Professional Development career center events, like resume or cover letter training sessions Leah Young workshops Laurier Alumni ASPIRE na Skills of communication Lectures on campus Leadership development invited speakers Career Centre certificate but I have seen them advertised Career Centre sessions career center interview workshops Teaching for MA/PhD students Tri-University symposium (English grad student-run) Cover Letter Writing Resume and cover letter workshops
Discounts on workshops Management Professional Development Certificates at the SW Building Teaching Dossier Library/Research related Career centre workshop workshops offered through ASPIRE Faculty workshops Workshops networking events Career Centre workshops writing centre CV guidance resume workshops Speakers Linkedin Workshops Various certificates Mock-interviews GSA sessions on LinkedIn writing center Career Service Events 11. If no, How might we better inform you? (chances to list 5) EMAIL Twitter email Email Inform professors facebook facebook via e-mail laurier email resume work shops Email
Twitter Emails Twitter Word of mouth FACEBOOK Flyers in grad student office and class areas n/a Twitter university email Email email facebook mock interviews Student email Twitter Email 12. Then we asked them to view the 10 PD opportunities below and rank them from 1 (most appealing) to 10 (least appealing). There was the excel tutorial, how to use LinkedIn, describing research in an informal setting, resume writing, academic networking, not for profit networking, nonacademic networking, goal setting, time management/balancing life and work, and becoming a better presenter. 1. Becoming a better presenter 2. Academic Networking 3. Resume Writing 4. Describing your research in an informal setting 5. Non-academic networking 6. How to use Linkedin 7. Time management/balancing work/life 8. Not for profit networking 9. Microsoft excel tutorial 10. Goal setting 13. Can you think of any PD events you would like to see in the upcoming year. (Open ended).
I would really like to take the teaching certificate course for graduate students. I think this is a 30 or 36 hour program for basic or advanced teaching certification. Professional training on project management specific social work skills Excel classes that are actually applicable in a business environment. Classes on managing your digital footprint / how you appear to recruiters who search for your name online. Classes on emotional intelligence: managing people and working with people, ommunicating appropriately in meetings, convincing others of your point without alienating, and so forth. Interviews, Being Self-Employed, Managing Non-profits, and PD opportunities related to my field (Social Work) How to managa anxiety I didn't bother rearranging the above options - just the first is of interest to me. I'm interested in learning opportunities related to research, publication, and teaching. How to use Mendeley/reference finding How to become an RA Personnel development Training How to better market yourself for a job once you've completed a Masters program. How to start our own companies. The (1) becoming a better presenter (2) time management (3) academic networking (4) describing research and (5) goal setting sound amazing. I would love to see all of these. Leadership in non-profit setting; Mock Interviews/interview skills workshop Job Fairs/networking for specific fields (ex. biology/ecology research), MSc Thesis report writing skills workshop, Workshops on analyzing data in scientific field (ex. excel workshop specifically for analyzing scientific data) More on project management and preparing yourself for the workforce.