News

Learn 'tools you can use' at 2015 Professional Development Seminar

  • Published
  • By Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MCCHORD FIELD, Wash. --  Professional Development Seminar coordinators aren't wasting time taking names to participate in the Sept. 10 - 11 summit at the American Lake Conference Center on Lewis-Main.

The workshop will focus on "Tools You Can Use," which includes optimizing career development, educational advancement, and personal improvement.

Senior Master Sgt. Carol Patten, 313th Airlift Squadron command support staff said they're taking more of a tailor-made route for the participants in 2015.

"We're breaking everybody into groups, so when we talk to Airmen it's from and Airmen's perspective," said Patten, who also managed the 2014 seminar. "When we talk to NCOs, it's from an NCO's perspective ... senior NCOs from a senior NCO's perspective, so we don't have them listening to items which don't pertain to them."

The uniform of the day for previous workshops was in blues. This year, it'll be civilian professional clothes.

"Another big advantage we have this year is we're having everyone show up in business casual clothes," Patten said. "So you're not looking at the rank, you're looking at the person, which makes it easier to interact, so Airmen aren't keyed up on rank the whole time."

Patten continued that being in business casual attire and including meals over the two-day event will also foster more socializing.

"We wanted to give a relaxed environment where people interact," she said. "In previous years there wasn't as much. That's why included breakfast and lunch, instead of a lunch break."

The best way to express a learning atmosphere in a military environment is to create a relaxed environment, Patten said.

The conference fee is $20, which breaks down to $10 day. To put it into perspective, one fast food meal costs $8 to $9, which totals $32 to $36 for four meals over a two-day period without self-improvement advice. The conference fee covers four meals and includes priceless life development skills.

So hit up a government computer and RSVP at https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=238492&k=00624A0D7255. Then sit back, relax in business casual attire (which means no jeans, t-shirts, or sandals), and be ready to develop - deliberately.

For more information on the 2015 Professional Development Seminar, contact Master Sgt. Anthony Gallela, 446th Aerospace Medicine Squadron at anthony.gallela@us.af.mil, or talk to your unit first sergeant, or career advisor.