Senior Center Director
Arlington County Department of Parks & Recreation
2017 VRPS Senior Resource Group Chair-Elect
“A passive
approach to professional growth will leave you by the wayside.” Tom Peters
We all know
that doing a good job and meeting your key work expectations is fundamental to
succeeding in your position. But if your professional goals include moving into
position with more responsibility (and yes, more
money) then you are going to have to put in more effort. Registering for training programs at work is
a good start. It might also mean getting
a professional certification. It all depends on the industry in which you work.
Essentially,
professional
certifications can give you a competitive edge and complements your
professional experience. It is a way to
show your colleagues and hiring managers that you are serious about working
with the latest knowledge and tools that are considered gold standards in that
particular industry. Certainly, a
college or post graduate degree indicates your mastery of knowledge but in this
fast paced society, information changes continuously and if an industry doesn’t
keep up it perishes. So do the
professionals who work in it.
However, you
want to do your homework before investing the time and expense. Look at the
credentials people have in the positions you aspire to attain. Are they graduate degrees? Do they belong to a
professional association? Do they also have professional certifications? If the answer is yes to any of these, then consider
following their lead.
Do you
currently have a mentor? A mentor is a professional that inspires you to obtain
more education and training to become more. Consider following this
recommendation by joining the Virginia Recreation and Park Society and
obtaining your Professional Certification (CPRP). Membership is also a great way to find a
mentor.
In the
field of Parks and Recreation a certification you will see frequently is called
the Certified Parks and
Recreation Professional. There are a variety of paths a person can take to
qualify for the exam. According the National
Parks and Recreation Association website the following criteria qualify a
person to take the CPRP exam:
*Have
received, or are set to receive, a Bachelor’s degree from a program accredited
by the Council on Accreditation of Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Related
Professions (COAPRT) OR
*Have a
Bachelor’s degree or higher from any institution in recreation, park resources,
or leisure services, and also have no less than 1 year of full-time experience
in the field OR
*Have a
Bachelor’s degree or higher in a major other than recreation, park resources,
or leisure services, and also have no less than 3 years of full-time experience
in the field OR
*Have an
Associate's degree and have 4 years of full-time experience in the field OR
*Have a high
school degree or equivalent, and have 5 years of full-time experience in the
field. Source: www.nrpa.org
There are
many paths toward certification. One important
aspect to note is that a candidate does need to have field experience or the
educational background before they can take the certifying exam. That aspect alone shows that this type of
certification is really about producing mastery in the field. Mastery in any field
is conducive to professional development.
Another
feature of the CPRP certification is that in order to maintain that status, a
person needs to acquire continuing education units (CEUs). That’s pivotal. Knowledge
is not static and good knowledge changes to become more significant. Therefore, any association with a strong
commitment to research and the sharing of evidence based information is worth
joining. If there are post-secondary
programs related to the certification, then you are looking at a
certification program that is based on research and academic inquiry. There should also be ample opportunities for
professional to obtain those CEUs through industry
related conferences.
The CPRP
exam guide is very detailed and user friendly.
Each area of knowledge is clearly explained with relevant examples. The first chapter talks about the pivotal role
communication plays in the field.
Relationships with customers, constituents and colleagues thrive when
the communication is clear, consistent and accurate. This helps bolster support
for programs and services that benefit the public. In-house, good communication fosters team
work, professionalism and camaraderie. It also covers other key categories of
the CPRP certification process such as finance, human resources, operations, and
programming.
Now how does
this relate specifically to working with seniors? Well, the answer is- to a great extent! For anyone who attended the 2016 SRG
conference in Virginia Beach, there was consensus among the participants that
recreation programs for seniors are perceived to be less of a priority than
programs for teens or sports leagues.
However, as the keynote speaker Dr.
Denise Scruggs reminded us; we need to be the champions for our programs
and communicate their vital contributions to the community. This can be done by producing competent data
analysis and then effectively communicating that information to the public,
co-workers and ultimately the decision makers within the organization. When you go to advocate for your senior
programs, you will have more success if you present your case within the
framework recreation and park professionals will understand.
Obtaining
the designation of a Certified Parks and Recreation Professional shows others
in the field that you understand the overall goals of the industry. Empowered
professionals take advantage of every opportunity to improve their skills and
enhance their knowledge. Becoming a
CPRP will give you the skills to connect senior programs to the parks and
recreation field at large, within your jurisdiction and within your own senior
or community center. How does a parks
and recreation certification fit within your career plan? How do you own your professional development? Let us know.
SRG Board
Karen
Brutsche
Janice
Myrick
Cheryl
Wheeler
Hope
Lomax-Jones
June Snead
