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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
Student Yesterday, Leader Tomorrow Supporting Emerging - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Student Yesterday, Leader Tomorrow Supporting Emerging - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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
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Emerging Professionals
Imagine, youʼve 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?
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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
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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
We are…
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Member Survey 2009
After 6 years of growth, self-reflection
became necessary
Conducted Summer 2009 (n=48)
Learned important lessons about Bridge
Role in membersʼ professional lives Areas for improvement Opportunities for expansion
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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
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Strategic Planning 2009
Brought together creators, past and
present leaders, active members
Utilized survey feedback from members Engaged in strategic planning session
Identified the Bridgeʼs guiding principles Determined key program elements Emerged with a revised mission and vision
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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.
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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
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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
Why?
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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
How?
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A list-serve which serves as the primary
source for information exchange
Job postings Event announcements Interesting articles Clinical practice/resource questions
Google Group
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Google Group
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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
Google Group Membership
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Monthly Events
Educational and
networking events
Diverse presentation topics Rotating host locations
Planning the events
Topics driven by member
interest
Members plan and
- rganize events
Examples…
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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
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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
Chicago Bridge Blog
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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
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Chicago Bridge Blog
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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
Support and Social
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Connecting established and emerging
professionals in the field of aging
To develop core competencies with a focus
- n 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
SLIDE 23
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
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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
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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
Mentorship Program
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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
Opportunities for Leadership
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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
Bridge Outcomes: Jobs
“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.”
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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
Bridge Outcomes: 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.”
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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
Bridge Outcomes: Events
“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.”
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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
Bridge Outcomes: Networking
“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.”
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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
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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
Replication
SLIDE 33
Chicago Bridge is not the only network for
emerging professionals in aging
Other models exist nationally and are
finding success with different models
GenPhilly University of Michigan Geriatric Network NextWave YNPN
Other Models
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Jaimie Robinson, MSW, LSW,
Communications Director
Gayle Shier, MSW,
University and Student Director
Alixandra Burns, MSW, LSW,
Events Director
Courtney Bouker, LNHA,
Outreach Director
Michael Kocher, MSW, LSW,
Operations Director
Core Leadership Team
chicagobridge@gmail.com