Tips For Professional Development
In Your Financial Aid Associations

How to plan your path to involvement in financial aid associations at the state, regional, and national levels.

Why Should I Participate
In Professional Activities?

• To strengthen your skills in financial aid administration.
• To learn new skills in related areas.
• To develop leadership skills.
• To support your state, regional, and national associations.
• To expand your perspective on the profession.
• To widen your network of colleagues.
• To share ideas and check perceptions with other student aid professionals.

How Do I Get Started?

• Determine your areas of interest and expertise.
• Discuss your interests and goals with your supervisor, co-workers, and your family. Their support is important.
• Examine your level of commitment and the organization of the associations (state, regional, and national).
• Be realistic about how much time and energy you can commit.

How Do I Get Involved?

• Start with your state association and build your skills towards regional and national associations.
• Complete a volunteer request form indicating your interest and availability.
• Contact your state association president and other officers by phone or letter indicating your commitment.
• Volunteer for small projects such as stuffing envelopes, assisting at the registration desk at conferences, or writing an article for the state or regional newsletter.
• Attend state, regional, and national conferences and training sessions.
• Network with peers: seek the assistance of a role model or mentor, meet your colleagues at other institutions, exchange ideas, and share experiences.

How Do I Avoid Roadblocks?

• Understand your responsibilities, the time commitment involved, and any expenses to you or your institution before you accept a volunteer position.
• Secure your supervisor's approval and your family's support.
• Periodically update your supervisor on your activities within the association.
• Incorporate meeting dates in your schedule early and plan to attend all of them.
• Follow through completely and promptly with all committee tasks.

How Can I Become A Leader?

• Ask for advice or resources from colleagues, either on campus or within the financial aid community.
• Follow the examples of your role models or mentors.
• Help plan state and regional conferences.
• Utilize skills by becoming a workshop trainer.
• Serve as a newsletter editor.
• Become a committee chair.
• Run for office.

How Do I Handle The Hazards?

• Assess what you have done.
• Evaluate what you have learned.
• Give yourself credit for your accomplishments.
• Review your goals, interests, commitments and available time.
• Review your achievements and short-comings with others.
• Understand that there are more volunteers than openings.
• Be dependable when volunteering your time.
• Continue to direct your energy towards positive action.
• Stay involved!
• Keep trying!

I Did It! What's Next?

• Celebrate your accomplishments with your supervisors, colleagues, and family.
• In planning what to do next, re-examine your commitments. Is it time to release some activities and move to others?
• Share your success with others. Be a mentor or role model.
• Extend a hand to others who are just starting
• Provide opportunities for others to become involved.
• Remember the road map.

Copyright 1998 by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

Updated January 1998.