Service Competencies
Evidence of Professional Competency in Service
I think that one’s approach to service says a lot about one’s character. Some people see service as an obligation, but I see it as another opportunity to improve the world around me. I approach my service work in the same way that I approach my research and teaching, with awareness that I still have much to learn as well as much to offer. I do not feel that I am a natural leader, but I frequently find myself in a leadership role. When I was younger, this was a cause of stress for me; I fretted about the responsibility and doubted my abilities as a leader. Even now I prefer to be an individual contributor rather than a leader, but I have accepted that sometimes I am called to lead and have gained confidence in my ability to do so.
Service Competencies I Will Need
In higher education, there is never a shortage of opportunities to serve. However, to be most effective requires an understanding of the organization’s structure in terms of its hierarchy, its communications, and the personal relationships of its members. Knowing how to get things done often means knowing the right person to talk to. I am not an especially social person, so I feel I always need to work on my social skills and interactions with others.
Organizational skills are also valuable when working with others. I am not especially adept at planning large projects and managing the work of others, so I need to seek opportunities to practice these skills.
Service Competencies I Have Acquired
I served as treasurer for our department’s student organization, Graduates in Instructional Systems Technology (GIST), for a year-and-a-half. This involved collecting and documenting membership dues and working with the IST Conference organizer to ensure that vendors were paid and volunteers were reimbursed. I developed a spreadsheet to track deposits and expenses and provide a multi-year history of the organization’s financial status.
In 2008-2009 I served as organizer of the department’s annual IST Conference. This was a significant commitment of time and effort which involved coordinating the efforts of over a dozen volunteers, recruiting a keynote speaker, arranging catering, managing funds, and documenting the entire process. I also developed an online submissions review system to streamline the review process and the printing of the program. After the conference, I wrote letters for many of the conference volunteers recognizing their contributions. I have included a copy of a letter from the Interim Chairperson of Instructional Systems Technology recognizing my service to the department.
In October, 2008 I was invited to critique graduate portfolios for the Instructional Technology program at San Jose State University. As an alumnus of the program, I was glad to contribute my knowledge and judgment to provide guidance to others who are joining our field. I have included a copy of an e-mail I received from the professor who coordinated the review process.
In November, 2008 I facilitated two sessions at AECT’s annual conference, and I am currently exploring other ways to increase my involvement in AECT. Facilitating conference sessions is a minor yet nonetheless important contribution, and it is also a useful way to meet new people and increase one’s visibility in the field. I have included a copy of an e-mail I received from the chairperson for the Change division of AECT.
I think that sharing one’s knowledge and skills with the greater community is an aspect of service. In spring of 2006, a friend of my wife asked if I would be willing to redesign the Web site of Coyote Creek Youth Sports. I am pleased to find that over three years later they are still using the site that I designed. I have included a screenshot of the site’s home page and the e-mail I received thanking me for my work as evidence of my service to my community.
Another way to share knowledge and skills is by presenting one’s work to others. In March of 2005, I presented my work on designing and developing a Web application at the annual PeopleSoft Higher Education Users Group (HEUG) conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. The purpose of the application was to facilitate the use and management of Santa Clara University’s data mart by providing relevant metadata and tools for requesting and managing modifications. Several people from PeopleSoft, Oracle, and Cognos complimented me on my work, and several universities contacted me to request copies of the Web application and documentation. I have included the session description from the conference program as evidence.
While I regard humility as an admirable trait, it is nonetheless satisfying to have others recognize and reward one’s contributions. In 1995, Santa Clara University recognized my service to the university by awarding me the “Staff Outstanding Service and Achievement Award.” In 2006, as I was making my plans to pursue a Ph.D., Dr. Dodson, then Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Santa Clara University, wrote a letter of recommendation on my behalf. I have included both of these documents as evidence of my service to my long-time employer.
Service Competencies I Need to Acquire
I can always improve my abilities to organize and manage large projects and to work with others to bring those projects to successful completion.
As a faculty member, I may have the opportunity to utilize my many years of experience in higher education in an administrative capacity.