Speak Out June 2020

Early Career REFERENCE GROUP

Planning for membership renewal

Identify short and medium- term goals These SMART goals should include all the interim, manageable steps that will eventually help us achieve our long-term goals. Identify key skills or experiences needed for each goal These may include continuing professional development, obtaining an additional qualification, attaining related non-clinical skills, or seeking specific employment experiences. List actions you will take These actions should be specific. This includes researching needed courses or self-study resources, or determining the type of professional support, including supervision or mentoring, that will support you.

Many early career speech pathologists in June are ensuring that they have enough PSR points to renew their membership or that they have completed requirements to move from Provisional to Full CPSP status. However, it is also an ideal time to begin thinking about completion of these requirements for next year’s renewal (and beyond). Making a Professional Development Plan at the beginning of the membership year not only prevents last minute stress in June 2021, it can create a roadmap for achieving long- term professional and career goals. Here are some components of an effective Professional Development Plan. Reflect on current status This might include current personal scope of practice, sector of employment, area of practice, and personal, clinical, or professional skills. Identify long-term goals Goals may include working toward an ideal practice settings, skills that will take some time to achieve, and large or otherwise ambitious objectives for the future.

of planning, as you plan to register for upcoming workshops or conferences, or develop a plan and agreement with mentors. SPA’s Professional Development Guidelines offer valuable insight into how members can take control of their professional development to plan a fulfilling career in speech pathology and reach their goals. Early career members can contact the Professional Support Advisor with questions about developing a Professional Development Plan at psa@ speechpathologyaustralia.org.au.

Identify a timeframe for engaging in actions and achieving goals

These should be related to the SMART goals created earlier. The research done on specific actions may support this phase

Nathan Cornish-Raley Professional Support Advisor

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June 2020 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

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