sze~ Informer

Staff Career Development

By Val Lautenschlager, Committee Member

Staff Questionnaire

The committee received approximately 60
questionnaires back from the October survey
requesting staff input on staff career development
conference topics/speakers. Out of nearly 30 topics
suggested the top seven given the most interest were
Dealing with Computer Technology Changes, Conflict
Resolution/Dealing with Difficult People, Careers in
the '90s and Beyond, Wellness/Stress Management,
Effective Working Relationships, Team Building,
Working Under the OTEU Collective Agreement, and
Leadership Skills.

Some of the comments staff made concerning the
benefits they gain from SCD conferences include:

“Improved morale; new techniques/approaches for
improving job performance; renewed sense of college
community.”

“Increased job enthusiasm”
“Enjoy meeting wider circle of employees.”
“Topics were great, well organized and interesting.”

“Collegiality; understanding of other people’s stresses;
enhancement of effective working relationships.”

“Associating with other staff members — it’s fun.”

“All sorts of benefits and I would like to see a way of
encouraging all staff to attend at least one session.”

“In these uncertain times all staff feel the need for
professional development. Knowledge of career trends
and continuous updating of knowledge, skills and
abilities are paramount.”

Illness was the most frequent reason stated for not
attending the last SCD conference. Busy schedules
and difficulty in arranging to be away from the work
area were other common responses.

1995 Staff Career Development Conference

Mark February 23 and 24 in your new calendars and
make sure you will be able to attend and enjoy a day
away from campus to improve yourself at a workshop
of your choice and further your staff contacts and
friendships. The committee is planning the sessions

around some of the above mentioned top runners in the
recent staff survey, together with entertainment and
lunch. Watch for more details in January.

January 1995 Workshop

The committee is presently planning to hold a Conflict
Resolution workshop on campus in January, as this
was one of the top areas of interest from the staff
survey. Conflict resolution will also be the focus of a
full-day effective working relationships session at the
February conference.

Career Planning Workshops

Thinking of making a career change but don’t know
where to start? Career planning assistance is available
through the new Institute of Career Development &
Transition, offered by Extension Programs & Services. .
The Institute utilizes the expertise of our Counselling
department and offers workshops in career decision-
making, as well as individual career counselling and
testing. See the Winter 1995 Extensions brochure or
contact Extensions for further information.

Recommended Reading

On the shelves in the Library: Getting Things Done
When You Are Not in Charge - How to Succeed from a
Support Position by Geoffrey M. Bellman, Ref.
HDS57.7 B454 1992.

In January, look for Breathing Space - Living &
Working at a Comfortable Pace in a Sped-up Society
by Jeff Davidson, and A Company of One: The Power
of Independence in the Workplace by Tom Payne.

Committee Members Local
David DeMuynck, Chair 2002
Elin Brnjac 2990
Kathy Chute 2530
Jane Hamilton 2712
Val Lautenschlager 2058
Wendy Weberg 2977

&& printed on recycled paper