Young Professionals SIG

Purpose

The purpose of the Young Professionals SIG is to provide an opportunity for those that are new to the profession or the industry a way to learn about all facets of themselves, where their skills are best suited for the learning and development industry and network.

In our current job market, you need to make yourself stand out as much as possible. One way to gain exposure is to network with other professionals in the workplace learning and performance field. The Young Professionals SIG brings junior and mid-level workplace learning and performance professionals together in an informal learning environment. Meetings are designed to provide practical ideas and tools that can be applied immediately. Membership is not limited to a particular age group. In addition to those that have already established themselves in the Training and Development Profession, we welcome those considering the field either as a career change or through a degree program. 

Joining the Young Professionals SIG is one mechanism to build relationships with other Workplace Learning Professionals (WLPs). Through the Young Professionals SIG, you can also:

• Obtain Leadership Experience
• Attend Professional Development seminars
• Meet and interact with peers and experienced WLPs
• Benefit from their useful tips and lessons learned
• Learn about intern and volunteer opportunities to apply skills learned
• Build a robust portfolioThe members of this SIG meet in person and virtually.

SIG Leader

For more information, please contact Liz Lanni via email young_professionals_sig@dcastd.org.

Upcoming Event

Train the Trainer

Date: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 from 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Location: 7799 Leesburg Pike, Suite 808S, Falls Church, VA 22043

Facilitator: Kathy Reiffenstein

RSVP: young_professionals_sig@dcastd.org

Do you occasionally need to deliver training yet have had no training yourself in how to do this effectively? Or perhaps your skills are a bit rusty due to lack of use? Come join us for a Train the Trainer workshop where we will focus on the fundamentals of engaging participants in a training class. Using interactive exercises and small group discussion, we will cover the following topics:

• establishing a productive learning environment

• presenting content effectively* handling learner questions

• identifying causes of learner resistance* managing group behavior

Workshop leader Kathy Reiffenstein is founder and president of the Washington, D.C. business communications training firm, And…Now Presenting!, where she creates confident, persuasive public speakers. Her career spans more than two decades of educating business professionals on how to realize their potential to engage and influence audiences. A graduate of Cornell University, Kathy is a Past President of the Metro DC Chapter of ASTD and is currently serving as the VP, Membership.RSVP: young_professionals_sig@dcastd.org

Meeting Schedule 2011

• Feb. 24, Meet and Greet Happy Hour 
• Mar. 13, eLearning 101
• Apr. 27, Train the Trainer
• May 18, YP Group Book Discussion: The Back of the Napkin: Solving Problems and Selling Ideas with Pictures by Dan Roam

Meeting Schedule 2010

• Feb. 21, DISC Profile Workshop 
• Jun. 27, Blending Project Management and Instructional Design: A Best Practices Workshop
• Nov. 21, CareerSmart – Take Charge of Your Career