EYE ON THE PROFESSION

EYE ON THE PROFESSION
A CLOSER LOOK AT TRENDS AND ISSUES IN THE PARK AND RECREATION PROFESSION

Networking From the Members' Eyes

William J. M. Wald
IPRA Chief Executive Officer

It's hard for me to believe that just a couple months ago I celebrated my fifteenth anniversary with the Illinois Park & Recreation Association. It's true what they say - time flies when you're having fun. Sitting at my desk, I began thinking about how this field has changed, how it's grown and how it has impacted so many people.

Fifteen years ago when I joined the IPRA as the membership services director, I could never have imagined that I'd be sitting here in our beautiful corporate office suite representing the finest park and recreation professionals in the world. Honestly, life is good.

But then I thought about how I got to where I am today. My mind began racing through all of the people that have helped me grow as a professional. I recalled the memories of lessons learned from mentors along the way. I thought about the lessons and advice my colleagues - my friends - shared with me.

It's the network of professionals that I've accumulated over the years that have really made me what I am today. We don't make this journey of life alone. We do it with the help of others. Others we work with. Others we respect. Others we share common interests with.

If I could give just one piece of advice to young park and recreation professionals just starting their careers, I would tell them this - NETWORK. Meet as many people as you can. Get involved with as much as you can. The network of people you establish over the course of your career will guide you and make you the person you'll become.

I thought it would be really interesting to hear how networking has impacted people in our field. Several people were contacted and asked to share their networking success stories. Real people. Real stories.

Here are a few networking stories from the members' eyes.

Nicole Chesak, CPRP
Recreation Supervisor, Glendale Heights Parks and Recreation Department

Networking is the number one reason I have advanced in this profession. When I started my internship at the Plainfield Park District, Bill McAdam invited me to various committees and board meetings. I can still recall the very first business card I received. It was at an IPRA Board Meeting in September 2002, Michael Bernard recognized a new face and introduced himself, card in hand.

After that meeting, I started to receive many business cards from professionals of all levels. As soon as I started in the field, those cards came out and e-mails were flying from my desk. "How can I get involved?" Everyone knows. In this field, when those words are said, EVERY COMMITTEE JUMPS.

"The network of people you establish over the course of your career will guide you and make you the person you'll become." - Bill Wald

I was able to start my career with such support because of those tiny cards. I may not have known it at the time, but I had the profession at my finger tips. If there is one thing I can share from my experience, it is this: Collect those business cards. They are valuable. Use them, and soak up all the knowledge you can to become a stronger leader and a more confident professional.

Here is my card. Let me know if I can help!

8 Illinois Parks & Recreation www.ILipra.org

George Whitehead, CPRP
Leisure Time Consulting

When the 29-year-old, inexperienced graduate took his first paid professional position as a park district director, he knew that in order to succeed he would need all of the assistance that he could find. He would have to build a network of fellow professionals and friends from whom he could receive guidance, advice and mentoring. Once so committed, he proceeded to create that network by taking advantage of every conference, workshop and committee appointment that could be crammed into his busy schedule.

At each and every conference, workshop or meeting, he made a point to meet and become acquainted with at least one new person from whom he could receive - and could likewise share - advice and assistance.

The result was that the agency that employed him derived great benefit from his networking and that agency became recognized statewide as a leader in the delivery of public park and recreation services. His state professional association and its membership also derived great benefit from the numerous leadership roles that have been served and the numerous young and mature professionals who have benefited from his mentoring.

Without such networking, he would not be the recreation professional that he became and would not be the resource person looked to by so many. Even as he has moved on into retirement, he still maintains a vast network of fellow professionals and friends from whom he may receive - and to whom he may impart -knowledge and experiences. It is his belief that in order to achieve the highest level of success, one must complete the full circle of Networking - Conferencing - Workshopping - Leadershipping -Networking.

Brian Witty, CPRP
Director of Parks and Recreation, Town of Prescott Valley, Arizona

Recently, I was asked, "Why do you choose to interact so much with IPRA and what makes the professionals from Illinois feel that they are so much more on the cutting edge of parks and recreation?"

I responded by asking, "Have you seen the Cingular/AT&T commercials over the last few months?"

Their reply: "Why, yes. But what do cell phones have to do with it?"

I replied, "Cell phones have nothing to do with it. But the network has everything to do with it!"

Then the light came on.

Now, for some, the question still may be, "What is networking?"

In my mind, networking is the creation and cultivation of friendships and acquaintances.

Those who do so effectively know its value. It is the life blood of strong and stable relationships that can lead to expanding careers and from which we can gather the knowledge to further wholesome community development. Unfortunately, for many, it is one of the most neglected aspects of their professional development.

From time to time, I have heard many of my colleagues refer to the aspect of networking as "sucking up the ladder" or "jumping on the head swell train." Unfortunately their frame of reference only allows them to focus on their shortcomings.

If you are wondering whether you have a strong professional network, it is likely that you do not. Start building your network as soon as possible. You can do this by joining professional organizations, such IPRA or your local service clubs, but you have to keep building and maintaining these relationships.

Networking is relationship building. So, when you meet someone, it is best to nurture that relationship, even if you believe that the person can't do anything for you in the here and now. You may be surprised by how they can impact your career down the road or vice-versa. This means not only networking, but also having initiative for follow through. Participating in IPRA committees, sections and conferences, as well as other professional development activities, are also good because it shows that you are taking an extra step forward to stand out from the rest by not only investing in yourself, but in others as well.

I know that we spend long hours at our jobs. That is why they call it work. However, if you're doing it right, networking isn't something that takes lots of extra time in your life. It easily blends into your life and your approach to life.

Remember, it's not what you know; it's who you know. Somewhere I have heard that only about 5 to 10 percent of all new jobs are posted in the classified ads or on the Internet. The other positions are filled by word of mouth. Others have also suggested that those hired through referral and social networks - people known by others in the company - have less turnover and make more money than their counterparts hired through formal hiring methods.

So, whether you're looking for a new job or changing to a new career, networking is a vital tool for gathering information, talking to the right people and achieving your goals.

Kelly Norris-Smith, CPRP
Facility & Recreation Manager/ADA Officer, Morton Grove Park District

When we were students, our instructors stressed networking, but did we really know what it was? Looking back, it was elementary: Just be yourself and enjoy what you do.

By definition, networking is a "set of connections" or a "set of contacts." These connections are made only by being interested, involved and intuitive. A lesson I have learned and recite to peers is that the world of Illinois parks and recreation is very small. There are less than six degrees of separation.

STORY ONE: I was set to intern in Korea so I could be there for the Olympics. I didn't have a real plan past getting over to a military base to program camps for dependents. After networking, the next rule is to CYA (cover your assets). So, at the annual IAPD/IPRA conference I "networked" with a professional that offered internships. I ended up interning and being a grad assistant with that professional. And now she is a professor at ISU and supervises interns at my agency. Ah, networking.

STORY TWO: Your first network is college. So, at the annual conference hospitalities, I reconnect and network with college friends and their co-workers. The profession is small, so I networked with some of those co-workers at aquatic training, certification workshops and PDS. Eventually, due to my years of networking, I ended up working at an agency and met my husband. IPRA involvement is expected at the Morton Grove Park District, and I enjoyed working on the Joint Conference Social Committee and the Western Open, which has led to more contacts and friendships.

STORY THREE: Like a proud parent, I watch interns and young professionals grow through their experiences. Now I sound like the professors at school reminding them to network. At the 2007 conference, I watched as our current intern networked herself through social after social. She distributed her business cards and made numerous contacts. Yes, we gave her the introductions. But she maximized the opportunity. She benefited from the cumulative history of an entire recreation department's networking. One of the best things about our field is the ability to pay it forward.

I am thankful for my career and all the people I have met along the way. It is a great life. Enjoy the opportunities.

Share your networking stories online with the rest of us. Visit blog.ILipra.org and begin networking your way to the top.