Latornell Professional Development Program
WHAT IS THE LATORNELL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?
The Latornell Professional Development Program fosters opportunities for learning, career growth and networking within the environmental sector. The program hosts events and workshops to connect individuals interested in experiential learning, network building, and the broad aspects of professional development. A series of events and activities are being worked on to create opportunities for students and professionals at all career stages to purposefully connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. Your experience with this program may be a single conversation, or it could be a life-long professional connection.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND MENTORSHIP PROGRAM BACKGROUND
The Professional Development and Mentorship Program was launched on the 20th anniversary of the Latornell Conservation Symposium. Arthur (Art) Latornell believed in sharing ideas and experiences with young people and cared about the younger generation learning about natural resources and the environment.
The Latornell logo was designed to represent the significant aspects of Art’s life and legacy. The logo is a silhouette of an ancient tree, representing the conservation of natural resources and Art’s longstanding interest in the natural world. When viewed in the negative, however, the white areas formed by the trunk contain the profiles of two people, a young student and an older man, with their heads lowered as if studying something on the ground. This view of the logo represents Art’s belief in the importance of mentoring and teaching, which he practiced in his lifetime, and which continues through his bequest in the Latornell Programs.
The Professional Development and Mentorship Program initially focused on fostering opportunities for career growth at the beginning of your career, midway through, or for any continuous learner who enjoys connecting with new people of all ages with common interests. Quickly, however, we began to hear from many participants about the program’s value in terms of furthering their knowledge, experiential learning, and career development. This led to this initiative being renamed the Latornell Professional Development Program, within which mentorship still plays a crucial role.
PRINCIPLES OF LATORNELL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
The following points outline the key principles and intent of the Latornell Professional Program.
RESPECT FOR OTHERS
Participants will show respect for one another similarly to how we share a common respect for the environment. Please keep an open mind and be receptive to new insight and knowledge from all experiences, even if they differ from yours. Be respectful of others. Be professional.
TWO-WAY STREET
Professional development within the bounds of this program is a two-way street. This is an opportunity that can benefit both parties. Managers can learn much from talking to and listening to junior staff and vice versa. A mentor can learn from their mentee, just as a mentee learns from their mentor.
ORGANIC
Professional development should be free-flowing and professional. There are no rules other than the principles outlined here. Mentors and mentees who meet through this program can decide how and when to connect, depending on their life demands.
MANY WAYS OF LEARNING
The way that people learn and perceive is very personal. Understand that your professional development mentor or mentee may learn and perceive the world differently than you.
PAY-IT-FORWARD
If you have ever benefited from the knowledge and experience of a mentor, colleague, or senior professional within your field, you know how valuable that experience was to you. It may be your turn to pay it forward to a colleague who may be seeking a similar experience.
For more information on the Latornell Professional Development Program, please email latornellpd@latornell.ca.
