3 Benefits of Professional Development
One of the best parts of my year as a doula has just happened.
In a profession where there is an incredible amount of heart and vulnerability, many doulas have never known about or thought to attended a professional development conference. This year, the ProDoula Conference “Share the Vision 2016” had roughly 230 attendees, all of which – new doulas and seasoned to a quarter of a century – contributed to the overall success.
The posts that are popping up online are of many attendees sharing their experiences. For those who may not be able to see the larger value of attending a professional development conference let me break down just a few benefits that an event like next year’s Speak Your Truth 2017 ProDoula Conference could offer you.
3 Benefits of Professional Development
1. Learn some things you can implement immediately!
Up-to-date research, discussion with experts in your field, and staying current with trends in our industry: this alone is enough to warrant attending professional development.
At the 2015 conference, some may remember the speed and veracity that Catie Mehl and Angela Horn’s presentation on fetal positioning entered our discussion groups and started to question traditional (and outdated) ideas of posterior positioned babies.
You can read their work in a two part series:
Does Baby’s Postion Matter In Labor: Part 1
Does Baby’s Postion Matter In Labor: Part 2
This year’s immediate take away for many was the Postpartum Recovery Red Flags – The First 6 Weeks by Dr. Meedlen Charles OB/GYN.
OR…the practical planning that was given by Erica Patterson of Yellow Jacket Social.
OR… perhaps it was the myths that were busted by Marion Welch about cord blood banking.
OR… the change of mindset that was encouraged by Sabrina Nitkowski-Keever, Director of the Maternal Child Health Department at New York Presbyterian/Hudson Valley Hospital.
Or the handfuls of other speakers…
2. Be able to lead, influence, and connect with other professionals!
Many doulas are still faced with, “What is a doula?” At this year’s Share the Vision Conference, I was able to see face-to-face interactions between people who were uniquely able to challenge and inspire growth. Personal growth and professional growth happening without a technological barrier.
To be seen and respected, to give counsel, and to have shared experiences together was incredble. The conversations can go straight to what’s important. The community that has been created through emails, discussion boards, comments on blogs, and phone calls can finally happen in person.
Be seen. Let others benefit form your perspective, and gather the benefit of others.
3. Confidence
Attending a professional development conference is a boost of energy.
It is an oasis from professional burnout.
It is an investment in yourself.
The buzz words “self care” go around and around in the doula world. For many, being around so many strangers is exhausting and overwhelming. But even for those people, I would argue they cannot be excluded from the well of vulnerability people seemed to fill their cups with.
They were filled up, they told their truths, and they left stronger for being honest and sincere about where they wish to go.
And how will we, as entrepreneurs, be successful in our day-to-day endeavors if we have no “X” to mark the goals on the map of our future?
Being real about where we want to go and who we want to be can only help us as we move toward it. With connection, information, vulnerability, and encouragement, we can all return home with more confidence.
What a great weekend. What a great fresh start.
Written by Ariel Swift
Photo – Rosie Pope, Keynote Speaker at the 2016 ProDoula Conference, taken by Yellow Jacket Social