Fall has always been special. We reap what we sow and reflect on what we’ve accomplished.
In this issue of The SCOOP – Career Advancement & Success – we focus on these themes as we reflect on our profession, career choices and future options.
As a profession, prospect research is evolving, growing and transforming. The recent 25th APRA International Conference in Baltimore, Maryland, is a testimony to this. More than 1,000 participants from across the globe converged to interact, exchange ideas and learn from each other, including over 30 Canadians, some of whom led engaging sessions and presentations.
Melody Song (Calgary Zoo) and APRA Canada scholarship recipients, Merritt Kalagian (Shaw Festival Theatre) and Shannon Doherty (Wilfrid Laurier University), share their key takeaways and conference highlights.
We are also thankful to bring you the personal career journeys of Mary MacLeod Lindsay (University of Guelph) and Kat Carson (University of Calgary). Armed with very different career aspirations – Mary wanted to be a career counselor, and Kat, a gerontological nurse – both women have serendipitously carved out successful careers in prospect research and prospect management, thanks to great mentors, unexpected opportunities, self-discoveries and courage – to take risks and give something new a try.
If you have ever wondered if prospect research was a “dead – end” job, the resounding “No” from three dynamic women – familiar to many of us – is convincing. Tracey Church, Liz Rejman and Melody are living proof that our profession is chock full of opportunities to advance, progress and transfer. They share their views of what excites them, challenges faced and future ambitions in an informal Q&A.
Finally, where would we be without mentors to guide and coach us? As managers and leaders, what do we have to learn from rookies in the field?
Shelly Steenhorst–Baker (University of Calgary) and Viktorie van Deursen (University of British Columbia), both mentors, have helped shaped new minds and along the way, learned to be better leaders and coaches. Sonia Solomon (United Way Toronto) navigated her way through the non–profit sector – after 20 years at a top investment bank – under the guidance of her mentor, whilst Martha Tuff (IWK Foundation) learned how to put theoretical knowledge into practice.
As you read about the journey of your peers, we hope you will also take the time to reflect on your own career – fuelled by the excitement that we are all part of a professional that is rewarding, engaging and transformational.
Enjoy the Fall everyone!
Susan Loh
Kat Carson
Shahin Sharma