APA Division 27 Community Psychology Society for Community

APA Division 27 Community Psychology Society for Community Research and Action presents: Mentoring and Other Strategies in Practice Settings to Support Diversity Geraldine L. Palmer, Ph. D, National Louis University & Adler University Vincent T. Francisco, Ph. D, University of Kansas Susan M. Wolfe, Ph. D, Susan Wolfe and Associates Presidential Initiative on Conversations about Diversity. Co-sponsored by CERA (Council on Cultural, Ethnic and Racial Affairs) of SCRA

Learning Objectives • Identify strategies for setting up a successful career in practice • Identify strategies to use in mentoring to support diversity • Understand how systemic racism, privilege and bias in practice work settings contribute to lack of diversity • Learn to formulate and implement a realistic and effective professional; development plan

Strategies for Success in Practice: Professional Development, Supporting Diversity & Mentoring: Geraldine (Geri) Palmer, Ph. D.

Objective • Identify strategies for professional development, seeking out mentors and supporting diversity

Professional Development (1)Start with your own brand (2)Join associations (cross-cultural and those whose members represent your own culture, gender or ethnicity) (3)Sit on other organizations’ boards (specific to non-profits positions) (4)Connect or stay connected with those in academia (e. g. attend conferences, workshops)

Professional Development (con’t) • Stretch yourself… • Present at workshops and other forums… • The old status quo quandary… • Moving on…

Who Is Your Mentor? • Climbing or working your way up can be a confusing and frustrating process • A mentor can help you navigate the ladder • Best to seek out a mentor • Expect the unexpected • Take steps… (Clark, 2013)

Suggested Steps to Finding a Mentor • Develop your brand • Identify who embodies your brand • Learn about the person • Learn what the mentor can teach you • Ask the person • If necessary, learn from the wisdom of the crowd (Clark, 2013) • Give back

Supporting Diversity • What is diversity? See SCRA website at http: //www. scra 27. org/publicati ons/tcp/concept-diversity-cerasposition/ • Cultural traditions, norms and practices matter

Supporting Diversity (con’t) • Learn as much as you can about other cultures, ethnicities, gender (or not), etc. • Learn what is a microaggression, implicit bias, explicit prejudice, etc. • Participate on teams at your workplace that are working to create inclusive environments • Uncomfortable? That’s probably a good thing… • Ask, if you don’t know

Take Aways • Start with your own brand – be clear about who you are---and who you are not • Make sure you know where a potential mentor stands, particularly on anything that concerns you • Learn from others around you—even if you don’t find a specific mentor • Be clear about diversity ---what it means to you, may not mean the same to someone else. • Support diversity efforts – when you can—in the workplace, etc. • Learn, read, grow---cultural sensitivity or humility will help you--don’t opt out because you’re uncomfortable

Getting Started in your Career Vincent T Francisco, Ph. D

My own journey…

Professional and Personal Development Difference between the two, but both essential • Professional Development • Courses • Workshops • Experiences • Personal Development • Your purpose • Self awareness • Context for success

Personal Awareness • If you have the right WHY, you can endure any HOW • Know yourself and your boundaries • Call yourself and others around you to a higher understanding • Daily AM/PM Rituals • Gratitude • Visualization • Journaling

Identify your context for success • Context is key • Social context • Physical context • What you bring to the table • Ethos

Your values -- Ethos • What do you stand for? • How are you giving back? • What do you leave behind?

Mentoring Team • Selecting mentors • Criteria • Transitions • Products • Development plans • Personal and Professional attributes

Professional Development in Practice Susan Wolfe, Ph. D

Professional Development in Practice Susan Wolfe and Associates, LLC

Why is this Important? • New skills and competencies • Keeping it current • See and be seen

Adding to your Resume or CV • If I’m not in an academic career, why continue to build a CV? • What can I do to build my resume? • If I’m in a practice career, how do I continue to build my CV?

• No management support • No financial support • No time allowed for writing • My activities aren’t publishable or suitable for presenting Professional Development Challenges in Practice Settings • I don’t even know where to start

Overcoming the Challenges • No management support • Make the case to your management – think about their perspective • Go to conferences or training on your own time

Overcoming the Challenges • No financial support • Ask – negotiate when you take the job • Do something extra to earn PD money (a little work on the side) • Look for free opportunities

Overcoming the Challenges • No time allowed for writing • Write on your own time • Team up with others to publish

Overcoming the Challenges • My activities aren’t publishable or suitable for presenting • Get creative – your work is publishable and good for presentation

Overcoming the Challenges • I don’t even know where to start • Spend some money on relevant professional associations – SCRA, AEA, APHA and others • Look locally, statewide, nationally – community colleges, universities, continuing education • Find people who are in similar positions who have been successful – seek mentoring or even just chat them up and get some nuggets at a conference

Combined Take-Aways • Start with your own brand – be clear about who you are---and who you are not; • Include mentoring, (learning from others), ongoing professional development and grow in understanding diverse cultural practices, traditions and norms • Continue to build your resume and CV throughout your career; and • Challenges in practice are typical. There are ways to address and overcome them

Thank you ! Geraldine L. Palmer (gpalmer@adler. edu) Vincent T. Francisco (vtf@ku. edu) Susan M. Wolfe (susan@susanwolfeandassociates. com) Reference Clark, D. (2013). Reinventing you. Boston, MA: Harvard Business Press