DEVELOPING YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY Brett L. Bruner, M.S. Director of Persistence & Retention Fort Hays State University (KS) 2013 NODA Graduate Student Symposium | San Antonio, TX

Overview Learning Outcomes What is a Professional Philosophy? What’s the Importance of Having a Professional Philosophy? How Do I Create my Professional Philosophy? Let’s Begin Crafting & Brainstorming! You’ve Got a Start – GREAT! Now What?!? #NODAgrad

Learning Outcomes After attending this session, participants will be able to: Articulate the importance of having a professional philosophy Understand how a professional philosophy connects to decision- making within your position Identify ways to begin developing your professional philosophy #NODAgrad

What is a Professional Philosophy? #NODAgrad

What is a Professional Philosophy? A statement that reflects the way we, as professionals, view our jobs, coworkers, & relationships Incorporating our values into daily performance Direction or roadmap for later evaluation &/or reflection Positive, self-motivating statement #NODAgrad

What’s the Importance of Having a Professional Philosophy? Validates how we help others develop their goals Walk the Talk! Congruency between who we are & what we do Helps keep us focused Brings integrity to our lives & the profession Promotes an understanding of human relationships Framework for dealing with your values Promotes your flexibility & consistency in working with various constituencies #NODAgrad

How Do I Create my Professional Philosophy? Combination of the following: Your values Your educational aspirations Your professional aspirations Your beliefs Your thoughts on life… #NODAgrad

Let’s Begin Crafting & Brainstorming! What are Your Values? Personal values Professional/career oriented-values What are Your Educational Aspirations? Will a master’s degree be your final degree? Do you have desire to pursue a terminal doctoral degree? Are you a lifelong learner & want to pick up additional skills through education & training? #NODAgrad

Let’s Begin Crafting & Brainstorming! What are Your Professional Aspirations? Where do you see yourself in the next 1-2 years? 5-10 years? Do you have a passion for specific functional areas within the field? What are Your Beliefs? What guides your decision-making process? What student development theories resonate with you? #NODAgrad

Let’s Begin Crafting & Brainstorming! What are Your Thoughts? What are those random thoughts that are always at the forefront of your mind? What are you thoughts on… The nature of being a human? The nature of being a student? The nature of being a parent/family member? The role of an institution? The role of higher education in society? The basics of living every day? #NODAgrad

Begin Formulating Your Statements #NODAgrad

Begin Formulating Your Statements Example of a University President’s Personal Philosophy Statement: I believe passionately in the power of education & the personal & moral obligations that derive from it. I believe strongly in the preeminence of ethics, honesty, & integrity & have achieved a record that bespeaks this belief. I believe strongly in the concept & institution of family & can be expected to work toward a family-friendly community & institution. I believe strongly in optimism & confidence. In my view, there is not such thing as failure, only successes yet to be achieved. #NODAgrad

You’ve Got a Start – GREAT! Now What?!? How will you operationalize your Personal Philosophy? THE IDEAL MEVS.THE ACTUAL ME (PHILOSOPHY) (LIFE) Publish it! Celebrate the successes as you LIVE your professional philosophy! Make it a living & breathing document! #NODAgrad

References Centre College (2006). Developing Your Professional Philosophy. Retrieved from Centre College Student Life Retreat Web site. Freitag, D. (2011). Creating a Personal Philosophy of Academic Advising. Retrieved from NACADA Clearinghouse of Academic Advising Resources Web site. Hiemstra, R. Translating Personal Values & Philosophy into Practical Action. Retrieved from Syracuse University Distance Learning Web site. #NODAgrad

DEVELOPING YOUR PROFESSIONAL PHILOSOPHY Brett L. Bruner, M.S. Director of Persistence & Retention Fort Hays State University (KS) 2013 NODA Graduate Student Symposium | San Antonio, TX