Professional Development
Continued professional development is a strong asset on the job and in the job market. It's good for you and for the young people you work with.

So what is professional development?
Professional development refers to tools and activities that improve professional performance and the efficiency of a project, program, organization, or institution.
From the BEST Initiative Training Institute Curriculum, copyright 1999, The Medical Foundation.

Professional development takes place through opportunities such as:

•	Training, from half-day events to multi-day programs
•	Formal education, including programs and courses offered by higher education institutions
•	Supervision on the job, provided in a constructive manner and encouraging growth
•	Mentoring and job shadowing to learn from others' experiences
•	Field visits to sites, programs, or organizations doing related work
•	Networking among colleagues, from informal conversations to structured networking forums such as associations and coalitions
•	Self-directed learning, such as reading books and professional publications, exploring on-line resources, and attending conferences and symposia

Youth Work Central provides many of these opportunities:

•	Learn about the BEST Youth Worker Certificate Program, Supervisor Training, and other training opportunities offered through the BEST Training Institute
•	Go to higher education to learn about formal educational opportunities
•	Build your knowledge by visiting core competencies and resources

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