Develop, plan, coordinate, attend, or present original work at a conference or exhibition.
Conference Participation at Brock
Consider these examples of conference participation experiences designed by faculty and instructors at Brock.
Instructor: Dr. Julie Stevens, Associate Professor
Course: SPMA 1P94 – Professional Engagement in the Sport Industry
Program: Sport Management
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE
Each year, over 300 first-year students participate in the Professional Development Conference as part of Dr. Stevens’ SPMA 1P94 course, a key first step in their path to becoming sport industry professionals. The full-day conference provides an opportunity for students to learn from a variety sport industry experts (many of whom are alumni of Brock’s Sport Management program) about the skills and attributes the experts have relied upon for their success in the field. The skills include areas such as professional communication, teamwork, and personal management.
Dr. Stevens designed the conference and the course as a whole to support students early in their academic path with developing the employability skills they will need as they move through the Sport Management program. Given the program culminates in an internship in the sport industry, and that many students engage in additional volunteer and practicum opportunities within and beyond the curriculum, the need to improve ones workplace readiness and professionalism is high.
Dr. Stevens ensures that the students’ key learning from the Professional Development Conference are solidified through a written assignment which culminates the course. Students reflect on their experience at the conference along with course readings and self-assessments to develop their personal employability skills development plan.
