This week kicks off a brand-new series here at The Point Blog. The Fall brings a new school year and with that, all things Professional Development. Some would consider this topic a snooze fest, but if it is tailored to an individual’s needs and desires for career growth, it can be one of the most exciting things that you get to do! Mary Ila supports our interests by meeting with us for monthly one on ones and asks us what we would like to be doing and the best way that the company can support our future goals. We also discuss our opportunities for Professional Development as a team when we meet at our Monthly Mingles.

In my own journey of leadership development and career growth, I ventured out and started a new class last week. The class is Highlands College Leadership Institute. It will meet for an hour on Tuesday nights for 4 semesters, and the BEST part of it all? Horizon Point is investing in me to do it. I could not be more interested in the content that I’m learning, and I cannot wait to take back what I have learned about to our team for us to implement what I’ve been taught. That’s the beauty of Professional Development done the right way. It adds value!

Jillian on our team has been sharing all about ATD24 and her experience at Recharge Your Soul, their annual Expo. In one of her recent blogs she shares…

The theme for ATD24 was Recharge Your Soul. I absolutely felt recharged when I left, so much that I couldn’t stop talking about it (still can’t). 

Jillian’s experience and excitement about the things that she learned inspired the rest of us at our Mingle when she handed out cards from different vendors and shared her stories. Not only is Mary Ila adding value to us individually, but as a whole, our team is better because of these opportunities.

Taylor was recently certified in School Career Development Advisor (SCDA) Training and can now offer the training through our website in addition to Career Development Training that is offered. Not only is the company investing in Taylor, but she is turning around and adding value to Horizon Point with her unique interests and skills.

Last but not least Lorrie got to attend the American Correctional Conference in Nashville last month and sent pictures of the songwriter Jelly Roll in our group text message. She said that it was one of the best conferences that she had been to and the experience ties right into Lorrie’s interests. Lorrie holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and recently received her Master’s of Jurisprudence in Labor and Employment Law at Tulane University Law School.

Can you see the value of Professional Development? It doesn’t have to be the boring old lectures with stale ideas. If it is done the right way, it brings life to your employees. So go ahead and start asking, “How can I best support you?”