I had the distinct pleasure of attending this year’s National Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico and it was one of THE best conventions I have ever attended. I’ve traveled for work to attend conventions in the past; dreading all of the meetings, the undesirable dishes, and the transparent people. However, this convention was different.
I had expectations prior to arriving in San Juan and this convention met and/or exceeded all of them! My goals were outlined ahead of time: I wanted to meet new people and network (check); I wanted to meet those that I’ve communicated with, but never met face to face (check), and I wanted to absorb any/all information pertinent to career development (check). With a theme titled “Your Passport to Possibilities”, I knew that I would leave with resources to help me succeed and NSCS did not disappoint!
Many of us are striving to reach the next level in our careers and this convention provided resources to do just that. Motivational speakers shared their tests, their adversities, and their victories to inspire us. In addition, various presenters facilitated workshops and break-out sessions to equip us with practical information that we could use to develop professionally. The following topics were presented:
- Survival Strategies for Finding a Job
- 7 Strategies for Effective Communication
- eJob Searching
- 21st Century Networking
- Resume Writing 2.0
- Maximizing Social Media for Personal Growth and Professional Development
This list isn’t all-inclusive, but I left Puerto Rico feeling energized and empowered. I know that attending a convention may not be affordable for many, but it is my heart’s desire that more NSCS members will be able to attend next year. Having a passport to possibilities means that there isn’t an expiration date on my goals and that as long as I am willing to try, I am capable of succeeding.
Ericka Spradley is the President and Founder of My Next Level. She has many years of leadership experience and her understanding of the multi-faceted leadership realm has provided a level of expertise in human resource management and career growth. Among her significant accomplishments, Ericka has served as Vice President of Professional Development with The National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Strayer University Chapter, she was a columnist for Classroom to Cubicle, an online magazine for college students, and she is currently a Yahoo! Contributor columnist. In addition, her works have been found in Today’s Charlotte Woman and she has also been quoted by The Charlotte Observer.
Visit Ericka’s website, My Next Level, for more information and you can find additional articles she’s written at http://contributor.yahoo.com/user/1044868/ericka_spradley.html.