Student Yesterday, Leader Tomorrow Supporting Emerging Professionals Jaimie Robinson, MSW, LSW Gayle Shier, MSW Alixandra Burns, MSW, LSW Courtney Bouker, LNHA Michael Kocher, MSW, LSW Aging in America Conference March 2010
Overview How we began… How we developed… How we do what we do… How what we do affects our members… How you can do it, too…
Emerging Professionals Imagine, you ʼ ve been a student, or in a different career Suddenly entering a new field with limited experience, relationships, influence Finding place in a tight knit aging community, like that in Chicago What can emerging professionals do to support each other and themselves?
Beginnings Formed in 2003 at ASA/NCOA- Chicago Modeled after San Francisco NextWave Early Meetings Home based Focused on direct practice as well as leadership The Bridge is born
We are… An affinity organization with no membership dues Emerging professionals and students in the field of aging First five to ten years of career in aging Interdisciplinary Members of all ages
Member Survey 2009 After 6 years of growth, self-reflection became necessary Conducted Summer 2009 (n=48) Learned important lessons about Bridge Role in members ʼ professional lives Areas for improvement Opportunities for expansion
Member Survey 2009 62.5% learn about the Bridge through a colleague What do you want from the Bridge? 95.8% seeking professional development 89.6% seeking networking opportunities Members also look to the Bridge for information about aging and professional support from peers
Strategic Planning 2009 Brought together creators, past and present leaders, active members Utilized survey feedback from members Engaged in strategic planning session Identified the Bridge ʼ s guiding principles Determined key program elements Emerged with a revised mission and vision
The Chicago Bridge Mission: Chicago Bridge provides opportunities for professional development, leadership, and support to emerging professionals in the field of aging. Vision: To inspire and invigorate connected, passionate, and informed professionals to be a part of the transformation of an aging America.
Who? 63.8% of members participating in the 2009 survey are employed full-time Entry to mid-level administrators of community agencies, hospitals, and long-term care providers Gerontological research, policy, and program management Financial services Clinical social workers, case managers, and counselors in hospitals, hospices, skilled nursing facilities, and the community
Why? Networking with like-minded peers Developing our knowledge of aging topics through information exchange Decreasing the intimidation factor of entering a field with many “superstars” Increasing leadership opportunities that may be lacking in entry-level positions
How? A unique mix of virtual and in-person interactions Google group Educational and networking events New initiatives Blog Support and social program Mentorship program Rotating leadership core
Google Group A list-serve which serves as the primary source for information exchange Job postings Event announcements Interesting articles Clinical practice/resource questions
Google Group
Google Group Membership 268 members registered since May 2008 Over 300 discussion threads, constantly increasing Members can post and respond to all messages Messages can be delivered to any e-mail address Becoming a member Visit www.thechicagobridge.org Complete new member form Once approved by Communications Director, member will begin to receive and can post messages
Monthly Events Educational and networking events Diverse presentation topics Rotating host locations Planning the events Topics driven by member interest Members plan and organize events Examples…
Chicago Bridge Blog Generates informative posts for the aging community Professionals in the field of aging Families and all others seeking information Content provided and edited by Bridge members and established professionals All posts must keep within our mission and vision Provides opportunity for publication Launched first quarter 2010
Chicago Bridge Blog Three important groups that make this blog work The Writers The Editors The Blog Team Management Guidance to maintain most quality blog Training and monthly meetings Educational documents help Minimum of post a week We will increase this number every quarter We work to connect and link to other aging blogs to participate in conversations online regarding professionals in the field of aging
Blog Success Definitive ways to describe success in the blog world Writers receiving recognition from the community for their contribution Other blogs linking to the site or using the article as a source Traffic numbers and time spent on the blog Indirectly, skill-building for those participating in the blog • Writers, editors, team managers
Chicago Bridge Blog
Support and Social Supports new and existing members in smaller group activities Adds additional networking events to ensure greater group connections Planning summer picnic and year end celebration
Mentorship Program Connecting established and emerging professionals in the field of aging To develop core competencies with a focus on leadership opportunities To capitalize on the knowledge and experience of established professionals Inspiring emerging professionals to think about the role of mentors in their development
Mentorship Program Six-month pilot launched just prior to Aging in America Conference Subcommittee runs the Mentorship Program Program manager Matchmaker Monitors Evaluation manager All develop and edit materials and oversee sustainability with focus on replication
Mentorship Program Program allows members to: Take on leadership opportunities Meet at least established professionals Evaluate a program and engage in quality improvement Publish articles on blog related to mentorship program
Mentorship Program Examples of mentors Director of Professional Training at a national disease-related association Director of Older Adult Programs at an academic medical center Director of a long-term care reform research group Hope to expand program in the next few years based upon pilot findings
Opportunities for Leadership Rotating leadership core Managing group activities and mission Recruiting new members Creating new initiatives Leadership opportunities for members Teams for new initiatives Coordination of Chicago Bridge events
Bridge Outcomes: Jobs 70.6% learned about job through Chicago Bridge 45.8% of those people applied for the job 45.5% of those applying were hired • More offered a job but accepted a position elsewhere Offered internship opportunities, as well “I wasn't looking for a new position, so I likely wouldn't have known about this opportunity if it weren't for the Bridge. The position has been a great fit, and I've been with it for 3 years.”
Bridge Outcomes: Resources 91.5% learned about an aging resource through the Chicago Bridge 53.5% of those people have utilized one or more of those resources 48.8% of those people have referred a colleague to one or more of those resources “Chicago Bridge has connected me with aging resources that improve the level of service that I am now able to offer the seniors that I serve.”
Bridge Outcomes: Events 93.8% have learned about an aging- related event through the Bridge 73.3% of those people attended an event learned about through the Bridge 75.6% informed a colleague about the event “I went to a seminar at the Art Institute and one of the speakers was from the Alzheimer's Association. It was about a program for people with dementia and their caregivers in New York City.”
Bridge Outcomes: Networking 80.4% met a peer they did not know through Bridge 69.5% met a seasoned professional they did not know 50.0% felt more comfortable at a professional event because other Bridge members were there “Chicago Bridge made me feel welcome when I moved to Chicago from a different state. I didn't know many people in the field -- and the field is small. Chicago Bridge helped me feel more comfortable breaking into the Chicago aging network.”
Replication Connect with the peers you already know How can you all work together? Create a web presence Start small with a listserv or a Google Group Find a seasoned professional to act as a champion Build relationships with local universities with aging-related programs
Replication Plan events that provide networking and professional development activities Work with local agencies who are willing to host events Solicit feedback from members and respond accordingly Allow for flexibility so members can continue to shape programs and future of the group
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